Free To Love and to Cherish by Gina Robinson

heart," I said, trying to hold back the bitterness.
    "Did I? Ain't that sweet? I didn't realize you were that into me."
    I shook my head. She was a piece of work. "You had Kay's phone. It was in her purse when you stole it. You were the one who replied to my texts. So, in a sense, you stood me up. You certainly set me up."
    She laughed. "You're a regular card, Justin. I found her purse."
    When she smiled, she revealed slightly stained teeth. The bottom ones were crooked and one had a small chip. And she had to be a good ten years older than Kay. A cheap imitation. Tonight, when she wasn't trying to be Kay, I found her repulsive.
    "And returned it like a Good Samaritan by stashing it in a potted plant in the lobby after stripping it of her credit cards and cash?" I caught a whiff of her perfume. It brought back snatches of memories from that night.
    I had been very drunk by the time she approached me. She was telling the truth about that. Never drink to get over a woman. I had to have been smashed not to have seen, and cared about, the stark differences between her and Kay. Her hardness and Kay's gentle sweetness.
    I'd already admitted too much. I had to get what I wanted from her without admitting to participating in a wedding ceremony with her. I didn't want anything either on, or off, the record. Nothing she could use against me.
    Fortunately, I hadn't confessed to anything essential. Hell, Kay could have "stood me up" and changed her mind later and married me. I caught myself from saying more. And reminded myself to proceed with caution. "Tell me more. Fill in the gaps in my memory. Why did you choose me?"
    "What's it worth to you?"
    "I'll make it worth your while." I kept my tone even and fought to keep my anger under control. I didn't believe in hurting women, but I could hardly stand to look at her. And yet I felt an odd well of sympathy for her. In her own way, she was pathetic and in need of help.
    "I'd seen you around the hotel before. Several times. I wanted to get to know you. Is that so wrong? You're cute."
    I scowled at her.
    She laughed. "And modest. You don't believe me. You don't believe in your appeal." She shook her head. "That makes you even hotter."
    I ignored her come-on. "So you'd pegged me for a good mark."
    "You're too cynical for someone so young. You looked like you'd be fun to hang with. That's all."
    "And you got lucky. I texted Kay. You had her purse and phone and took advantage of the situation," I said, filling in the blanks.
    She flipped her hair off her shoulder. "Not at all. You'd won big at the tables earlier that evening. You had plenty of cash on you and were reckless. Flashing it around. I figured you could show a girl a good time."
    I remembered that much. "You're not telling me anything I don't know."
    She shook her finger at me again. "Never flash that kind of cash around. I figured I should get close and warn you. You never know who will be watching and want to take it away from you."
    "Someone like you?" I watched her carefully.
    "Me?" She shook her head. "You really don't remember. You gave me the money. You did . For the fun of the evening. And making your dreams come true. Fulfilling your fantasy. I never stole it. I never stole anything in my life."
    I lifted an eyebrow.
    She shrugged. "Maybe years ago. But not your money. That was a gift. You can't hang stealing on me. Or kidnapping. Or drugging you against your will. That's all fiction. You don't even remember."
    "So fill me in." I paused, afraid to continue. " How did you fulfill my fantasies?"
    "Oh, baby. What I gave you made you higher than a kite. High, you were completely hilarious. Cute. Sweet. Indignant. Insecure. Upset. What could I do but help you out? I'd be a hard woman if I didn't.
    "You said Kayla was the only girl for you. The girl you were destined to marry. But she'd never have you. You said you were rich. In retrospect, I should have paid more attention and really listened to what you were saying. But you