Autumn Getaway (Seasons of Love) (25 page)

Sam watched as they exited, waited until they’d gone out the door and down the hallway, before he turned back to Donna, leaned in, and said into her ear, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Donna looked at him, mystified, but got up off her bar stool. “Will you excuse us?” she said to the others. “We'll be right back.” Ignoring the curious looks of the others, she and Sam went to the far corner of the lounge, by the fireplace, the only place they could hold a somewhat private conversation and be able to hear each other without having to shout to be heard over the music.

“What can I do for you?” Donna asked, eyeing him.

“I want a little bit of information, and I figured you might be willing to give it to me,” Sam said plainly, wasting no time.

“Depends on what it is,” she replied in a shrewd tone.

Sam nodded, mulling over how to phrase what he wanted to ask. He rubbed his jaw distractedly, a restless, absentminded gesture. “Look, cards on the table here. I’m interested in Lydia. It’s got to be obvious by now. And, well, you seem to be on board.”

“I am,” Donna said brazenly. “You seem like a good guy, and there’s obviously some serious chemistry there. You're both consenting adults, so why not?”

“Thanks.” He chuckled.

“Well, it’s true. That’s what I think. I tell it like it is.”

“I picked up on that early on,” he assured her. “So can you tell me… well…” He rubbed his jaw again, hesitating. “What am I up against here? Can you clue me in?”

Donna studied Sam’s face carefully as she decided how to respond. “Look, I’m not going to tell you anything that breaks any of her confidences. But there are still things I can tell you, just because they’re facts, and if you asked her directly, she’d probably tell you herself.”

Sam nodded. “Fair enough.”

“Okay.” Donna smirked. “The good news is, the divorce was Lydia’s idea. She wanted it. They haven’t loved each other in a while, but Matt never would’ve left; he wanted to live with his son, and he would’ve had no problem putting Lydia through passive-aggressive hell for the rest of her life. He’s a real prize. Whatever; she’d had enough, she ended the marriage. It got ugly at first, and that kicked her around a bit. But I think she’s doing okay, considering it’s all pretty fresh. She went back to work just last month, and she's just learning how to balance everything it takes to be a single full-time working mother, much less of a kid who’s speech impaired. But Lydia’s braver and stronger than she gives herself credit for.”

Sam nodded in appreciation of Donna’s assessment, turning her words over in his mind.

“And I’ll tell you something else: you’ll have a hard time finding a kinder, bigger heart than hers.” Donna smiled softly. “She’s a very, very good friend to have. She’s loyal, caring, smart as a whip, and funny as hell.”

“You don’t have to sell me on how great she is,” Sam said, smiling back at her. “I figured that out already, trust me.”

“Well, good,” Donna said. “So you ready for the not so good news?”

Sam’s smile faded. “Hit me.”

“She’s doing okay, but that doesn’t mean she’s not having a hard time.” Donna frowned. “In fact, sometimes I think she’s actually having a harder time of it then she lets on. Sometimes Mel, Kathryn, and I have to bully the truth out of her, you know what I mean? But she hates to seem vulnerable, or like she needs anything. She always did, from the day I met her, and that hasn't changed. She's all about self-control, it's very important to her that she feels like she's got her act together; and nowadays, it's not only for her own sake, but for her son’s even more.

“Add to that how over the past few years, Matt has really kicked the shit out of her ego, her pride, what was left of her heart. So… I guess what I'm trying to get across is that even if she wants to, she doesn’t let anyone in easily, because that’s just how she’s always been, even when things were good.” Donna gave Sam a half smile and added, “But you know what? She'd kill me for saying this, but she likes you, Sam. She does.”

“And that scares her,” Sam murmured.

“Hell yes,” Donna said flatly. “I think the last thing she expected to do, when she came here for the weekend, was to meet a guy that she could… whatever. So, you wanted to know what you're up against? That’s what you’re up against. It’s not about Matt, she’s
so
over him. And it’s not that she’s so newly divorced. She’s pretty much made her peace with all that. It’s about maintaining self-control, and just that she’s gone through a lot this year… so she’s on some shaky ground sometimes. Can you blame her?”

“Of course not,” Sam said quietly.

“And, if she knew I told you that whole last part, she’d
kill
me. But I go off on rants when I feel passionately about something, or someone, and I love that woman passionately. I especially tend to go off on rants when I've been drinking, and I have been, all night. So I just went off a little more than I should have. Don't make me regret it.” Donna sighed, then scrutinized him for a minute before she said, “While we're at it, can I ask
you
something?”

“Sure,” Sam said, waiting and ready.

“And I want you to tell me the truth.” Donna’s eyes narrowed, and her tone became as hard as steel. “It will stay strictly between you and me, I swear, but I want the
truth
.”

Sam nodded. “You got it. I promise.”

“Okay.” Donna’s eyes held his steadily as she said, “Actually, two things. First: I’m very sorry to hear about what happened to your wife. I really am. I truly mean no disrespect, I hope I'm not being indelicate.”

“Thank you,” Sam said graciously. “And you're not. You're fine.”

“Good. But I have to ask. You’re not… like… still carrying a torch for her, are you?” Donna gave a nervous laugh. “I know that’s
way
forward to ask, even for me, and bordering on rude. But hey, if you’re grilling me about one of my closest friends, and where her head is, I kind of feel entitled to ask the same of you.”

Sam simply nodded. “Agreed. Understood. And the answer is no, I’m not still pining for Chelsea. I'll always miss her. But I'm not frozen in the past. She’s been gone for a long time, and I’ve moved on. Honestly. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you right now.”

Donna studied his face closely, decided he was being forthright, and nodded. “Okay. That’s good. I'm glad for you, really. But question number two is just as bold.”

Sam just stared at her coolly, waiting.

Donna took a deep breath. “You’re obviously seriously interested in Lydia. Like you just said, if you weren’t, you wouldn’t have brought me over here. I mean, if you were just looking to get laid tonight and go home tomorrow, you wouldn’t care about any of her history, where her head is—you wouldn't give a rat's ass. So that says to me that you’re not just looking for some one-night stand with her… there's something going on there. You're thinking you might want to see her again. After this weekend.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“What do you think?” he asked in response, his expression neutral.

“Uh-uh.” Donna shook her head. “This is one of my best friends we're talking about. I told you whatever you say I'll keep to myself, and I meant it, but please answer me. I need to know.”

“Okay,” Sam said evenly. “No, I’m not just looking to use her tonight and take off before dawn. I’m not playing her, or you. I'm not like that. I know you don't know me, so you have to take my word for it; but honestly, I'm not like that. And yes, the thought has crossed my mind—seeing her again after this weekend. She's really… genuine. I think she's interesting, and gorgeous, and I like her.” He released a bashful grin. “Like you said, there's something going on there. I'm sure that may sound crazy, considering I met her yesterday, but I've been feeling it too. So… at this point, that’s where I’m at.” He gave a small shrug, revealing his own surprise, but his eyes held hers as he added, “I can't explain it, but I don't have to. She and I clicked. It's there. So I'm going with it… if she'll let me.”

Donna said nothing, considering his words.

“Now you tell me—do you think I’m telling you the truth?” Sam asked calmly, his eyes still on hers.

“Do you care if I do?”

“Actually, I do, believe it or not.”

Donna nodded, a hint of a smile touching her lips. “Yeah. I do.”

Sam nodded. “Alright then.”

“Alright.” Donna smiled, but it was a somewhat pensive look at the same time. “So, did I give you the answers you were looking for?”

“Are you kidding? You gave me more than enough,” Sam said. “Thank you for trusting me. I appreciate it.”

“You got it. Just please don’t…” Donna let her voice trail off. She bit her lip and shook her head at herself.

Sam placed his hand on her forearm and smiled warmly in silent assurance. His eyes held hers, unwavering.

Donna nodded, relieved. “I wish you luck, then. I wish you both
fun
. I think you both could use some fun. And by the way: we didn’t have this conversation.”

“What conversation?” Sam said, feigning innocence. He and Donna grinned at each other in conspiring alliance, then went to rejoin the group at the bar. Melanie and Lydia re-entered the room less than a minute later.

“Whew,” Donna muttered to herself. “That was close.”

The party went into full swing. Drinks were consumed, hors d'oeuvres were passed around, laughter was abundant as conversation flowed loudly and freely. People took turns at the billiard and foosball tables, danced to the unending music, and relaxed in lazy clusters on the couches and chairs by the fireplace.

Ryan and Alec coaxed Melanie and her friends to tell a few of their more risqué stories from their college days. Donna went into an animated description of the time during freshman year that she, Melanie, and Lydia had gotten Kathryn drunk for the first time in her life, drawing laughs. In retaliation, Kathryn launched into the tale of the night Donna and Melanie went to a frat party together, came back to the dorm stoned out of their minds, and Donna had no idea where her bra was, why she wasn’t wearing it anymore, or where she might have left it.

“Holy crap, I forgot about that!” Donna laughed as loud as the others.

Lydia wiped tears from her eyes, trying to stop her laughter. “Oh please, I will
never
forget that night!”

“That was classic,” Melanie agreed. “She never did find it, you know.”

“What about Mel?” Ryan asked her friends. His eyebrows shot up and down. “Tell me a good one about my wife, now that I’ve made an honest woman out of her.”

Melanie’s eyes widened as she begged her friends, “Be kind!”

Donna, Lydia, and Kathryn exchanged loaded glances, thinking.

“The baseball field?” Kathryn suggested.

“NO!” Melanie cried. “Absolutely not!”

“The night of the U2 concert?” Donna said, her eyebrows arched wickedly.

“No way,” Melanie groaned. “Please. Oh God.”

“Whoa, wait!” Ryan laughed. “How many juicy stories are there?”

“Too many,” Melanie admitted with a wry laugh of her own. “I was… a free spirit.”

“She was the worst of the four of us!” Lydia laughed. “With her perfect blonde hair, big blue eyes, and angelic face, people never expected it of her. That was the best part. It made it easier for her to get away with things.”

“Angel on the outside, devil on the inside,” Donna snickered good-naturedly.

“She hasn’t changed much,” Alec joked, winking at Melanie.

“I love it.” Ryan laughed, kissing his bride. “Come on, tell me
something
.”

“How about,” Lydia began slowly, “the infamous party you threw for my twenty-first birthday?”

Melanie, Donna, and Kathryn began to howl with raucous laughter.

“Oh man, spill it!” Ryan demanded.

“I definitely wanna hear this one,” Sam smiled, finishing the last of his drink.

“I need another drink, then,” Lydia said, “because we all get incriminated in this one. John? Another gimlet, please?”

“Coming right up,” the bartender smiled.

“I’ll start,” Melanie volunteered. “Lydia is the youngest of the four of us, her birthday is December eleventh. Donna’s is in February, mine’s in May, and Kathryn’s is in June; so we’d all been waiting and waiting for Lyddie to turn twenty-one so she could come out to the bars with us already. She didn’t have a boyfriend at the time, so we three took it upon ourselves to throw her a huge party, especially since it was during finals week, and in a few days everyone would be leaving for Christmas break.”

Lydia was already shaking her head and smiling ruefully, remembering.

Kathryn picked up the tale. “We weren’t in a dorm anymore, we had an apartment off of Commonwealth Avenue. A big two-bedroom. Melanie and Donna shared one room, Lydia and I shared the other.”

“The good girls, and the bad girls,” Donna quipped.

“Who were the good ones?” Paige asked.

“Duh,” Alec laughed. “Donna and Melanie were the party girls, Kathryn and Lydia were along for the ride.”

“Pretty accurate,” Lydia agreed as John set down another vodka gimlet on the bar for her.

“Back to the story,” Ryan insisted.

“Our apartment had a fairly large living room,” Donna said. “You could probably fit about ten or twelve people in it comfortably.”

“There were over fifty people there that night,” Lydia said.

“I’d say sixty,” Melanie countered.

“Could’ve been.” Lydia nodded. She reached for her drink and saw Sam watching her, a bemused grin on his face. She grinned back at him and sipped her drink.

“It was a big party,” Kathryn agreed.

“So it was packed, loud, filled with smoke, everyone was drinking, music blaring, all that good stuff,” Donna said. “And then there was a loud knock on the door.”

Lydia dipped her head and giggled, embarrassed. Sam smiled at her reaction.

“It was a cop,” Melanie said. “He was there, supposedly, because someone had complained about the noise. So he needed to speak with whosever’s name was on the lease.”

“Which was mine,” Lydia said dryly. “Such a setup.”

“We were very clever!” Kathryn shrieked.