Free Falling For Him 1 (Rachel and Peter in Love) by Jessica Gray

her life here in the States to watch over things in Spain.”
    “A month?” she trilled, laughing and shaking her head. “It’s going to be at least three months before I’m satisfied that everything is working well. In fact, father and I discussed this and it could take closer to a year before everything is up and running smoothly.”
    Peter shook his head; “I can’t be in Spain for a year! We planned for three months and…”
    Lara lowered her voice to a vile whisper, “You will stay as long as I deem necessary. It’s in the contract. Check it out with your partner if you don’t believe me.”
    Peter looked shell shocked and excused himself from the table, pulling me with him. Once outside, he fumed, “That conniving little witch!”
    I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind that would make the situation any better.
    “Rachel, I promise you I didn’t know this was happening.”
    “I believe you. It’s obvious that she wants you back and is willing to go to any length to make that happen.”
    “Look, let’s just get through this evening. I have to give a small speech and then we can leave, okay?”
    I nod and follow him back to the table where Lara is in full command of the conversation. She seems to enjoy the attention she gets and captivates everyone with her vivid narration of delightful society events.
    When Peter excuses himself to go prepare for his speech, I take the opportunity to slip away to the ladies room. After taking care of business, I leave the stall and am alarmed to see Lara waiting for me.
    “You know he’s never coming back from Spain without me wearing his ring on my finger,” she declares.
    I look at her in the mirror and reply, “So you say. I believe Peter has a choice in the matter.”
    “No he doesn’t. He wants me. I want him. End of story. You should just leave now. I’ll make your excuses to everyone.”
    I turned around, tossing the used paper in the waste receptacle, “Not on your life. Peter’s told me all about you. He doesn’t want you.”
    “Is that why he spent the night with me after you ran out of the restaurant? Didn’t feel like he didn’t want me? He’s spectacular in bed, but you know that, don’t you? Don’t worry, I have nothing against his little escapades as long as he comes back to me.”
    I was trying not to believe her, but her poisoned arrows stuck. Had Peter lied to me about that night?
    I shook my head, “I need to get back. Peter’s about to give his speech and I want to hear it.” I left the ladies room, sensing her glaring at my back as she followed me to our table.
    She chose to sit in Peter’s seat and there was nothing I could do about it. I turned my back on her, determined to ignore her attempts to ruin the evening and pasted a smile upon my face. Peter began his speech, seeking out my eyes and smiling when I nodded at him in encouragement.
    He was about halfway through his speech when my shoulder suddenly got warm and I turned to see Lara holding a lighter to the ends of my hair. Horrified, I jerked away from her. She was an evil witch!
    The ends of my hair had already started to burn. She jumped up from her seat, grabbing the huge floral arrangement in the center of the table and dumped the entire thing on my head, “Oh dear! Please, somebody help her.”
    The commotion was instantaneous and I found myself surrounded by people wanting to know what had happened. Lara sat silently by, enjoying the commotion and I saw her tuck the lighter back in the bust of her dress.
    Peter reached me, his speech forgotten and I tried to tell him what had happened, but he just looked at me like I had gone crazy. That was enough for the evening! I excused myself on the pretense of cleaning up. Peter reluctantly watched me head towards the ladies room. Once out of his sight, I made a beeline for the front doors of the hotel and hailed a cab to take me home. So much for enjoying the evening! Since when had dating become