Kept

I took another bite of my sandwich, and shook my head. “Nothing. I don't want to talk about this anymore.”

I finished my sandwich, and started to look for my beach bag to put on my bathing suit and go to the water, where he couldn’t scrutinize me. I felt too exposed and I needed to get away.

“Are you going to join me this time?”

He shook his head. “I don't swim.”

“Why not? It's so freeing to be out there in the water. To be part of something that huge.”

“No I’ll just watch you.”

“Is this part of your control situation? I think I'm a Type A personality, but you’re way worse than I am.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that, if something should happen, I don't think you would want to be rescued. I don't think that you feel like you can put your life in someone else's hands.”

He just sat there and looked at me like I had said something so profound he didn't have words to match it. We stood in silence for a moment before he finally spoke. “And you call me the mysterious one. You really are something, Calla Hart.”

“I try.”

Fourteen

I spent the rest of the afternoon splashing in the water, and enjoying the sun on my pale skin. Boston was so cold and damp this time of year, it was just nice to get a break from the miserable weather. There weren't a lot of people on the beach though, so no one really bothered us as we talked about my school, and a little bit more about his family. It was a nice break from the rest of the world, but I knew that we had to return soon. After I got dressed and we arrived back at the cottage, I went upstairs to take a shower. I had to get the feeling of sand out from between my toes. Hudson stayed downstairs, claiming that he had to make a couple business calls before he made plans for dinner. I knew that we would have to go back to the States that night, but I wasn't ready for our magical weekend to b

e over. I wanted to stay in France, in Hudson’s arms, forever.

I tiptoed downstairs, so I wouldn't bother him on the phone, and he didn't notice my presence until I pushed open the creaky door of his office. He was sitting with his back towards me looking out the front bay windows. He looked like he was really deep in thought. I walked over to him, and dragged my fingers along his exposed arm. I got close enough to whisper in his ear. “You made me shower alone. I would've liked the company.”

He looked over at me, and put his hand over mine on his arm. He didn't look as amused as I was hoping.

“What’s the matter?”

“I have some bad news.”

Bad news? So far it didn't seem like anything could go wrong on a perfect getaway. Why now, when things were winding down, did bad news have to come?

“I've been called to Germany on business. I won’t be able travel back to the states with you.” He was so cold in his delivery. Nothing like he treated me over the rest of the weekend.

“You mean, I'm going to have to go back by myself?”

He nodded. “I'm very sorry, Calla. But my plane will still take you, and you won't have to worry about dealing with the airlines or anything. We’re not terribly far from the airport, as you already know, so the travel will be simple.”

He sounded so… professional. I wasn't sure how to react.

“Fine. And what do we do from here? Do you call me?”

He shrugged. “I'm not really sure. I have never brought a girl out of the club before.”

The way he treated me: brushing the hair out of my face, the gentle gestures… had all been in my head. This was definitely still a business arrangement to him, when to me it had been so much more. I felt so stupid.

“Wonderful. Well, I guess I will see you back in the States then. Maybe.” I turned on my heel and ascended the stairs, taking them two at a time. I wondered if he followed me, but I didn't turn around to find out. I couldn't let him see the tears streaming down my face.

I threw everything into my borrowed Louis Vuitton suitcases as fast as I possibly could. I wanted to get to the plane, and quickly. That was certainly an advantage of taking a private plane: it could leave whenever I wanted. And I wanted to go. Now. I dragged the bag down the stairs myself, in a dramatic way, making sure that it slammed down on every step as I went down. It was childish, but I didn’t care. I felt like I was being kicked out. I wasn't enough for Hudson. I had known it all along, but being slapped in the face like this still stung. When I arrived to the bottom of the steps, no one came to my aid. I could hear Hudson still in his study on the phone. He wasn’t even going to see me off. That was not how this was going to end. I wouldn't allow him to treat me this way.

I walked over to the door, and was just about to swing it open, when I heard what his conversation was about. “No, of course she doesn't suspect. She just thinks that this is a business arrangement. Exactly what it is.” He paused as if listening to someone else on the other end of line. “Of course. She's returning to the States this evening. I'm sure you can speak with her then. I think you were right all along. A young girl looking to cash in. I think she had a hand in it but I don’t think she worked alone.” He stopped speaking again. “No I don’t have any concrete evidence. I know you were hoping for more information, but I don't have any.” He paused one final time. “No, I doubt I'll be seeing her again. Our deal is done here. Your favor is cashed in, Drake. Don't call me again.”

The detective had called him? Was the only reason that I was here for some other type of business arrangement? What the fuck?