Free Second Thoughts by Jade Winters Page A

“I’m sorry Bettina; I’m going to have to go home. I’m not feeling too well.”
    “You should have said. Would you like some Alka Seltzer? I think I’ve got some in the cupboard.”
    “No... I think I just need to lie down for a while.”
    Bettina cocked her head. “You can always use the guest room if you like.”
    Eli shook her head. “I’ve got too much on my mind at the moment. I need to be at home.”
    “Has something happened?” she asked, looking first at Eli then at Scott.
    The core of his body was erect and his face was suddenly pale as he jumped to his feet. “No, everything’s fine. Eli’s right. She just needs to rest.”
    “You know you can always talk to me Eli–”
    Eli smiled faintly. “No. Like Scott said, I’m just tired. I shouldn’t have drank so much yesterday. Tell Melissa I’ll call her tomorrow. I’m sorry you went to all this effort for nothing.”
    They bypassed Bettina, kissing her on the cheek before leaving. Bettina glanced at the half empty plates. What on earth was all that about? she wondered as she gulped a large mouthful of the water. She wished Melissa would hurry home – one way or another she needed to know what the future held for them now Sara was back.
     

Chapter Eighteen
    Sara’s diaphragm spasmed as she watched Melissa alight from her car and hand the valet her keys. She couldn’t believe Melissa was actually there in the flesh. It still felt like a dream.
    She kept her eyes trained on Melissa as she walked confidently towards the hotel’s entrance. As she reached the sliding glass doors, Sara walked through them to meet her.
    Sara reached out and hugged her, enjoying the firmness of Melissa’s body. Reluctantly, after a few seconds, she withdrew her arms and stepped back. “You look beautiful.”
    A small laugh escaped Melissa’s lips, her flawless cheeks turning crimson. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
    Sara opened her mouth to speak, then closed it abruptly. She didn’t know how to frame the next question without it sounding as if she was coming on too strong. She wanted to speak to Melissa alone, without any distractions, and there was only one place that she could do that.
    She finally settled on something that sounded plausible. “Do you mind if we have a drink in my room. I’m waiting for a call from the US.” She laughed when she saw a look of doubt flicker on Melissa’s face. “I swear to God I’m not going to jump you as soon as we’re alone.”
    “I never said...”
    A faint smile curved Sara’s lips. “You didn’t have to. Your face said it all. Come on,” she enthused. “My dad footed the bill for my stay here. You’ve got to see how cool the steam shower is.” She realised she’d stuck her foot in her mouth when she saw Melissa’s jaw tense. Though the memories of their showers together still gave her goose pimples, it was obvious that their last encounter was the one that was stuck in Melissa’s mind – or rather what happened afterwards.
    “I’ll come up with you Sara, but only for coffee.”
    Sara held her hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Okay, okay. Message received loud and clear.”
    “Good.” Melissa smiled brightly as she reached into her pocket and switched her phone off.
    Minutes later they sat in Sara’s modest but tastefully decorated hotel room. Melissa lowered herself onto one of the lime-coloured leather chairs while Sara made coffee. Handing it to her, she sat opposite on the edge of the bed.
    “I can’t believe you haven’t changed a bit.” Sara eyed Melissa as she sipped the coffee and leaned over to place it on the table.
    Melissa looked doubtful. “I feel like I’ve aged a hundred years.”
    “Not even a year. You look exactly the same even with your hair shorter.” Her heart thundering in her chest, Sara instinctively reached over to brush Melissa’s hair away from her face. Their eyes locked for several seconds before Melissa leaned away slightly, causing Sara to snatch her