Passion Play

“No, I don’t.” Donovan struggled against a grin.

“We agreed that Rose is an open book. So she must have a pretty big reason not to tell you why she called things off.”

“Like what?” Donovan searched Kayla’s eyes. He was desperate for an answer. Did she know? If so, he wished she’d just tell him.

“Think about it, Van. Why would someone not tell you something?”

“I don’t know. Because they’re afraid?”

“Bingo.” She winked at him.

“But she doesn’t have any reason to be afraid.” He heard the frustration in his own voice. “How do I convince her to trust me?”

“You could start by trusting her.” Kayla released his hand. She crossed her legs and smoothed the hem of her dress over her knee.

“I do trust her.” Donovan’s eyes widened in surprise.

Kayla arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow. “Then why haven’t you told her how you feel?”

“I told her I wanted to continue our relationship.” Wasn’t that the same thing?

“Oh, Van.” Kayla shook her head in disappointment. “Why do couples always play the game of Who Will Say I Love You First? It wastes so much time.”

“You think I should tell her?” Donovan’s throat was dry. Rose already had rejected him twice. He didn’t think he could survive hearing no from her a third time.

“If she’s The One, go after her and tell her how you feel.” She leaned forward to cup the side of his face. “If you don’t, the alternative is to spend the rest of your life with regret.”

The thought of spending the rest of his life without Rose filled him with fear. The feeling was even stronger than the panic he felt at the idea of telling Rose how he felt.

Donovan drew another deep breath. “Thank you for the advice, Kayla. You’re right. I don’t want to live my life with regret. I’ll talk with Rose.”

“Wonderful.” Kayla patted his hand. “If the Anderson Adventures men play their cards right, I’ll have the pleasure of helping to plan several weddings next year.”

“Including your own?” Donovan stood with her.

Kayla winked as she returned his smile. “If he plays his cards right.”

The company’s matriarch waved as she left his office. Donovan returned to his desk. If he was going to avoid living a life filled with regret, the first thing he needed to do was make plans to spend the weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He had a reunion to attend.

* * *

“Hi, Lil. I’m at the hotel.” Rose spoke into her cell phone. She lifted her weekend travel bag onto the suitcase stand at the foot of the king-size bed. The room was spacious and well maintained—and freezing.

“Great. Thanks for letting me know.” Lily’s response carried down the line. “How was the drive?”

“Long and uneventful. And long.” Rose went to the thermostat beside the window and turned down the air-conditioning. It had been set at sixty degrees, not a comfortable climate for her navy capris and lavender tank.

“I’m glad you made it safely. Have you checked in?”

“Yes, I’m all set. I’m in the hotel room now. I’m going to unpack, then see if anyone I know has arrived. I’ll call Iris first, though, to let her know that I got here safely.”

“I hope you have a good time. What’s your room number?”

Rose’s eyebrows knitted in curiosity. “It’s 238. But if you need to reach me, just call me on my cell phone. You don’t have to go through the front desk.”

“Okay.” Lily seemed distracted. What was she doing?

“I’d better get going. I want to register tonight.”