One to Leave (One to Hold 5)

At the same time, I was here without an invitation. When we met, he was there to see Kenny where she and I happened to work together. He hadn’t asked me to come here. I shouldn’t even know how to find him. Would my appearance change his feelings? What was I talking about? He’d never expressed feelings to me!

Panic snaked up my insides like a vine. Somebody spoke, but I couldn’t hear them. Heat burned in my cheeks, and when his brow lined, I spun on my heel.

“Excuse me.” I took off down the hall where Patrick had left our suitcases.

Door after door passed. I ran on tip-toe, hoping not to make a sound. I had no idea which door to choose, so finally, I just picked one. Pushing inside, I closed it, turned the lock, and collapsed. My body was shaking so hard. I tried to calm my breathing as I scanned the room for signs of occupancy. A queen bed was in one corner, but otherwise the space was bare. It seemed I’d picked an unclaimed one.

Pushing off the door, I rubbed my clenched stomach. All I could see were those gorgeous hazel eyes under a brow lined in confusion. Oh, god! I couldn’t imagine what they were saying. Stuart and I were not friends. If I were lucky Patrick would laugh it off. Uncle Bill was a mystery, and Elaine...

A soft tap on the door made me squeal. I waited, holding my hand over my mouth. It tapped again.

“Mariska?” Elaine called from the other side.

Slowly, I went over and opened it. She stood blinking at me, her green eyes a mixture of curiosity and mischief.

“What’s going on?” She spoke softly as she walked into the room. “Why did you run out like that?”

Pushing the door closed again, I put my forehead against it. This was going to be so bad.

“Are you okay?” she repeated.

Taking a deep breath, I turned around and faced her. Being honest seemed like the best course of action at this point. “I lied.”

Her face lined, but she still was almost smiling. “About... what?”

“I don’t know Stuart. I’m not his friend.” I started pacing, wringing my hands.

“Wait... what? But you said... I don’t understand. Why?”

“This is going to sound crazy. This actually is crazy. Oh my god, I’m going to be sick.”

Elaine caught my hands and stopped me. “Calm down and just tell me.”

I turned and sat on the bed. “I only met him that one time at the gym. He came in to see Kenny, and we only talked for like a minute. Maybe less. He probably doesn’t even remember it.”

Her eyes sparkled. “And you came all the way to Montana? Are you stalking him?”

“No!” I nearly shouted. “I mean... No.”

She started to laugh. “Liar! You’re totally stalking him!”

“Oh my god!” I pulled my knees up to my chest. “It’s not like that... I can’t believe I came here. I don’t do things like this!”

“Come on.” She sat beside me on the bed and threw an arm over my shoulder. “Tell me what happened.”

I hesitated to say it out loud. It really did sound nuts. “I had this dream.”

For a moment, the only sound was the bedside clock ticking.

“And?”

“That’s it.”

She leaned back and gave me a look. “What was the dream about?”

I knew she was going to say that. “It doesn’t make any sense.” In my mind, I replayed the dream I kept having. “It’s all fire and explosions and pain. It doesn’t match anything that’s happened in my life, but...” Oh, god, this was the crazy part. I couldn’t say it.

“But...?” Elaine leaned forward.