CHAPTER FIVE
T hat evening, Vaughn and I entered the guesthouse where Henry and Slade were staying, and I couldn’t help smiling at the sounds of chatter and laughter. The group was spread out in the living room, talking and sipping an assortment of drinks. Looking them over, I thought they were an attractive group, showing signs of becoming tan and relaxed. Sun, salt air, and sandy beaches tended to do that to people.
Henry got to his feet and came over to us. “Ann, it’s great to see you here.” He turned to Vaughn. “Hello, Vaughn Sanders. I’m Henry Watson, a fan of yours in your latest movie.”
I realized how smooth and knowledgeable Henry was and wondered if he had researched all his guests or just happened to like Vaughn’s character portrayal.
Rhonda arrived while we were all introducing ourselves to one another in the living room. Both Henry and Slade greeted her, and then Rhonda hurried into the living room and over to my side. “Did I miss anything?”
“Vaughn and I just arrived, so I have nothing to report. But the group is relaxed, so I think you’ll be able to see for yourself how they interact with one another. Will wasn’t able to come?”
Rhonda shook her head. “He wasn’t feeling well.”
‘I’m sorry. I hope he feels better soon,” I said. Will was easy to talk to and a pleasant participant in any group.
Vaughn and I gave our drink requests to Slade and sat in one of the comfortable chairs placed in a circle with the other furniture in the living room.
Across the room from me, I noticed that Caro had saved the space next to her on the couch where Henry had sat.
Slade handed Vaughn, Rhonda, and me our drinks while Henry entered the room with a veggie platter and a bowl of nuts. He passed them around and placed them on the coffee table before sitting next to Caro. Jane was sitting quietly in an overstuffed chair while Heather and Lisa, the two married women of the five, sat chatting. Amy and Slade were together at the opposite end of the couch from Henry and Caro.
Of everyone in the group, those four were possible matches. I noticed Rhonda paying careful attention to them.
I gave Jane an encouraging smile but could not do or say anything about her medical procedures that day.
“Here’s to all of us,” said Slade, lifting his beer bottle into the air.
“Hear, hear!” said Heather, and we all joined in, raising our glasses as we spoke.
Loving the congeniality, I turned to Vaughn. “Interesting group, huh?”
He nodded but kept his gaze on Amy, who was now clearing her throat. “I have something to announce. I was going to wait, but I believe it’s better to tell you now so you’ll understand.”
“What is it?” Jane asked, giving Amy a look of concern. “Is it more trouble from Dan?”
“My divorce came through last week. After years of wanting this, and with our son, Nick, out of high school and away at college, it’s a huge relief. Our marriage has been over for years. Dan knew that I would move quickly once our son was out of the house.”
“What was Dan’s reaction?” Heather asked.
“I haven’t heard from him. He should have gotten the papers right away,” said Amy. “He won’t like it, but I can’t continue to support him and his gambling addiction financially.”
“Situations like that can be devastating,” said Henry. “A friend had a similar circumstance.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry you have to go through it,” said Slade, taking up the slack in the conversation.
“Because I’m a counselor at one of the local high schools,” said Lisa, “I’ve talked to her son, Nick, about the situation. He was very honest with me.”
Amy turned to her. “Thank goodness you got him to talk to me about his father’s addictions. It makes the decision of mine stronger.” She held up her hands. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring the tone of this gathering down. I want it to be a reason to celebrate being here together. All of us.”
“I’ll drink to that,” said Slade, and the tension in the room evaporated. He stood. “More wine or beer for everyone?”
“Yes, for us, everyone,” said Heather, and we all laughed as the room filled with optimism once more.
As we relaxed, Lisa asked Vaughn about the movie business. I listened with the others as Vaughn answered her questions, becoming impressed with the details of his work filming movies and advertisements.
“How do you feel about fans mooning over Vaughn?” asked Caro.
I was used to the question. “I know the relationship Vaughn and I have and how important it is for us to share quieter times at home. As long as I remember that, any salacious rumors of him with someone else are just that.”
“I loved my first wife, who died from cancer, and I love Ann. I have no intention of doing anything to mess that up.” Though Vaughn said it to the group, he kept his focus on me.
My heart filled with gratitude for him. My first marriage was a disaster, but Vaughn had taught me how marriage should be between two people who loved one another.
“Wow,” said Caro. “That’s true love.”
“Have you missed out on that?” Henry asked her.
“I thought I was in love forever, but my ex had a different idea.” She glanced at Henry and then quickly turned away.
“Hey, guys! What kind of pizza did you order?” I asked in an attempt to change the atmosphere of this group. One gloomy conversation seemed to lead to another.
“Funny you should ask,” said Slade. “I’m somewhat of a pizza connoisseur, and after talking to the concierge desk, I learned the most authentic New York pizza is from a place called Johnny’s.”
“That’s my favorite pizza place, too,” said Vaughn.
“What’s New York style pizza?” asked Heather.
“The crust of a New York pizza is sturdy but not cracker-like and instead features a tender chew thanks to the addition of oil in the dough,” said Slade.
“The crust is thick and crisp only along its edge, yet soft, thin, and pliable enough beneath its toppings to be folded in half to eat,” Vaughn added.
“Okay,” said Heather. “It’s different from what I have at home, but I’m sure my husband, Craig, would love it. We often end up with pizza and salad if I get home from the art studio too late to cook.”
“Wait to be surprised. I chose a lot of different combinations, thinking there’d be enough for us all to choose from,” said Slade.
“I took care of the beer and wine,” said Henry, and laughing with him, I found myself liking him a whole lot. By the looks of it, Caro did, too.
Rhonda quietly nudged me, and I knew she’d notice Caro’s reaction, too.
Vaughn sensed something going on between Rhonda and me and turned to me with a questioning look.
“What?” I answered softly.
Vaughn shook his head. “I know what you two are doing,” he said quietly.
“We’ll see,” I said, grateful for the interruption of Henry refilling my glass of wine.
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W hen the pizza arrived , we were more than ready to taste the different choices. In addition to margherita, cheese, pepperoni, and sausage half-and-half pizzas, Slade ordered mushroom and cheese, pineapple and bacon, veggie, and olive and anchovy choices as well.
“There’s enough pizza here for the next two weeks,” said Jane, clasping her hands together and looking at the selection on the kitchen countertops with anticipation.
“You’ll be surprised at how much we all will eat. And any leftovers are great for me for breakfast,” said Slade.
“My buddy isn’t known as a gourmet,” said Henry. “But he’s fallen in love with Jean-Luc’s cooking.”
“Right. He’s the best without being overly fussy,” Slade agreed. He handed out plates and said, “Okay, everyone, dig in.”
I took a slice of margherita pizza and one of pineapple and bacon.
“Sorry,” said Rhonda, “but pineapple and bacon is not real pizza. I should know. My mother used to make the best.”
I laughed. “To each his own.”
“I have something I want to share with everyone,” said Lisa. “I’ll be right back.”
When Lisa returned, she carried the bottle of champagne she’d ordered for delivery that evening. “It’s enough for each of us to have just a taste, but it’s important that we share this as a symbol of our friendship.”
“Great idea,” said Jane. “I’ll help pour.” She got up and walked into the kitchen, but I noticed she was careful not to move her left arm too much.
It didn’t take long for Jane and Lisa to carry ten small glasses into the living room filled with the champagne Henry had opened for them.
“Okay, everyone,” said Lisa. “I say this is just the beginning of a delightful stay in a hotel that our book club has dreamed of visiting for a long time. It took us a while to get here, but it’s been worth every bit of scrimping and saving.”
“Here’s to Ann and Rhonda for making it so perfect,” said Jane.
“And to our hosts for having us here. It’s been a fantastic evening,” said Amy, and I noticed her speech was slurred a bit. But if what they said about her marriage was true, I didn’t blame her for letting loose.
We raised our glasses and took a sip of bubbly wine.
I couldn’t help noticing the way Slade was talking to Amy and the quiet way Henry was studying Caro. This group was ripe for Rhonda’s magic.
When Vaughn and I said good night, I felt we were well on our way to becoming friends with both Henry and Slade and the group of five women who wanted bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.
That night, as Vaughn and I lay in bed discussing the evening, Vaughn kissed the tip of my nose. “I’m sensing trouble with you and Rhonda playing matchmaker again. Something bad always happens when you do it, dragging you into compromising situations. I want you to be careful, Ann. I love you.”
Surprised, I stared into his look of concern. “Okay. I promise.”