Part 27 (1/2)
”Me neither. I can be a tourist anytime.”
”You make me want to play hooky and come to New York.”
”That sounds like a great idea. I could play hooky too. Then Todd would fire me and we could just lie around in bed all day.
And I would-”
”You would call Sofia like I told you to, and get out of that sweatshop.”
187.
”And into another one.”
”Yes, but Sofia would give you time off anytime I asked her to.”
”The others would treat me like a pariah.”
”But you wouldn't care because you'd have your legs wrapped around my head.” She buried her face into Judith's neck, avert-ing her eyes from the sight of the limo pulling up in front of the building. ”I'm supposed to have a meeting in Philadelphia on Thursday. What if I try to change that to Friday and come up on the train when I get finished?”
”And stay the weekend? I'd love it.” She tried to wriggle free but Carmen held her firmly in place. ”Shouldn't I go down to meet the car?”
”He'll call up when he's ready. Would you like me to get a hotel room?”
”Why? Afraid of a few steps?”
”I can do steps. But I remember you said your place was perfect for one.”
”I think we can manage for a weekend. But I have to see Victor on Sunday.”
”That's okay. I'll get a midday flight back here.”
Judith spun in her arms. ”Or you can come with me if you want.”
”We'll see. I haven't decided for sure if I'm even going to let you leave.” Now facing each other, Carmen couldn't resist a kiss.
As their lips moved together, their arms tightened in a desperate hug. ”I think you should just stay.”
”I wish I could.”
”Judith, I-” The ringing phone cut her off. ”That's your ride.”
She picked up the phone and confirmed with the driver.
Judith put on her coat and grabbed the handle of her suitcase.
”Is it Friday yet?”
”Wait. Before you go, I need to tell you something.” Carmen 188 swallowed hard and steeled herself. Judith probably wasn't going to believe what she had to say. ”You're going to think I'm nuts. I know we still don't know each other all that well, but that's not the way these kinds of things happen for me. I'm sort of weird that way.”
”What are you talking about, Carmen?”
She took a deep breath. ”I'm in love with you.”
From the look on her face, Judith was stunned. Whether that was good or bad was an open question until she finally burst into a grin. ”If that makes you nuts, we're both in trouble.”
”You feel it too?”
Judith nodded. ”I was too scared to call it love, though. But that's sure what it feels like.”
”Whatever it is, let's take care of it.” She folded Judith into an embrace. ”This is going to be the hardest part, saying good-bye.”
”We'll just have to look ahead to next time. I'll come back as soon as I can.”
”Come on. We have time for one more kiss in the elevator.
Let's do it right.”
189.
Chapter 15.
Cathy filled Carmen's doorway, waving a note in the air. ”I guess I don't have to ask what kind of weekend you had.”
Carmen grinned with satisfaction. ”Can we get that meeting with Hinkle changed? Otherwise, there's a pretty good chance I won't be in the office on Friday.”
”There's nothing wrong with you taking a day off.”
”Except that everyone else here is working their a.s.s off to meet that deadline.”
”That's not your project. You can always take your laptop and do some work if it makes you feel better.” She came in and plopped onto the sofa, clearly eager to hear details of the weekend. ”How was the boat tour?”
”We didn't exactly get out much . . . what with the nasty weather and all.”
”How ever did you fill your time?”
190.
”How do you think?” Carmen answered with a smirk. Then she related the story of Judith's plane delays, and their few forays out of the apartment to walk Prissy and pick up coffee. ”Before she left, I told her I was in love with her.”
If Cathy was the least bit surprised, she didn't show it. ”In love as in relations.h.i.+p? Or diversion?”
It wasn't love like she had with Kim, with whom she had spent five tenuous years, wondering which of them would leave first. And it certainly wasn't like Robin, who was fun and s.e.xy, but never more than an amus.e.m.e.nt. ”No, more like . . . as in Brooke.”
That drew the look of surprise she expected, and then some.
Cathy sighed heavily and glared at her sternly. ”Do you hear yourself? You've known Brooke thirty years and Judith . . . what?