Spell Checked (2 page)

~~~***~~~

“What do you mean we have a date?”  Mae raised her voice as panic set in.  “I didn’t come all the way to Ireland to be set up on a blind date, with Fabio’s less than desirable friend.”  She started pacing the room like a caged animal.  “You didn’t even wait for us to get off the plane before you set me-up on a blind date,” Mae said in a voice that became shriller than necessary to emphasize her point.

“I have a date with Aidan and he thought it might be nice to double.  He said you would like his friend Beckett; he sounded like a nice guy.”  Gemma sat on the bed next to where Mae had begun unpacking her bag, attempting to ignore her friend.  “Would you deny your best friend a romantic adventure in a foreign country for only a few hours with two very handsome men?”  Gemma batted her eyes, attempting to look pitiful, but managed to look ridiculous instead.

“I swear Gemma, you will be the death of me.”  Mae tried to sound irritated, but the snort that followed her outburst gave it away. Rolling her eyes, she finished unpacking and glared at her best friend.  She shook her head and let out the world’s biggest sigh.  It was no use.  Even she wasn’t immune to infectious spontaneity.

Gemma squealed, “Does that mean yes?  If so, I have my work cut out for me.  Hair, makeup, clothes, shoes.”

Interrupting her, Mae laughed and said “Gemma, you look perfect.”

She looked at Mae and did her best model pose, then stated the obvious.  “Of course I do.  I was talking about you.”

Mae bolted off the bed and backed into a small table.  “Oh no, you don’t!  I am not your personal Barbie doll.”  She knew from the get-go this was an argument she wouldn’t win.  Two hours later, Mae didn’t even recognize herself in the mirror.  Gemma arranged her hair in a flattering updo that had stray pieces falling haphazardly around her face.  The results were dramatic, yet very pleasant.  Charcoal grey outlined her eyes, making them seem larger, while enhancing their color to a rich blue-green like the waters of the Caribbean.

Gemma insisted on Mae wearing her black, tulle corset dress and the material clung like a second skin, leaving her self-conscious with its provocativeness.  Feeling-insecure, she didn’t know if she had the nerve to leave the hotel room.  Last, but certainly not least, the whole ensemble was finished with a pair of strappy four-inch heels that made walking dangerous.  Still, they made her legs look a mile long, so she decided to brave it.  After the initial shock wore off, she reveled at her beautiful, almost sinful image staring back at her.

Gemma stood behind her, looking over Mae’s shoulder, admiring her work.  “So, what do you think?”

“Well, Gemma, I must say, you are a miracle worker.  But I’m not feeling the red lipstick; it makes me look like a Goth hooker,” she laughed, taking one last look in the mirror.

“The red lipstick stays:  Today you will channel your inner Goth hooker.”  Gemma put her middle fingers and thumbs together as if to meditate, and started teasing her.  “Ohmmm where are the Johns?  Ohmmm where are the Johns?” both of them suddenly laughing at the thought.

Mae was laughing so hard she had to blot the tears from her eyes before they made her mascara run.  “Let’s get this over with,” she sighed, her excitement replacing any lack of confidence she may have had earlier.

~~~***~~~

Aidan opened the door to the bar and searched the room for Maelin and Gemma. Beckett cautiously remain one step behind him.

“Do you see them?”  Beck asked. The eagerness in his voice was difficult to miss.

Aidan finally spotted Gemma at a table next to the bar.  At first glance, Aidan did not notice that the beauty sitting next to Gemma was the same Maelin he saw on the plane just a few hours earlier.  He gestured across the room to the table where the ladies sat. “They are right over there, by the bar.”  They were making their way across the room, when Beck grabbed the sleeve of Aidan’s coat, halting his steps.  Aidan turned to face his friend, one eyebrow raised in question.  “Why are you stopping?”

Beck’s face had paled, panic swimming in his eyes.  “Something is very wrong. She should have been completely aware of my presence by now.  Yet, she just sits there.  I know in my heart that she is my Helen.”

Noticing Gemma had turned around and spotted them, Aidan grabbed Beckett’s arm and walked him to the table.  “Good evening, ladies. Gemma, Maelin, this is my friend, Beckett.”

Beckett chimed in before Aidan could even finish the introduction, “I go by Beck.”

Laying down the menu, Mae looked up trying to absorb everything in view.  When she looked at the man standing next to Aidan, her breath left her.  Staring back at her was the most magnificent specimen of a man she had ever laid her eyes on: slightly curly blonde hair, strong masculine jawline and a straight Romanesque nose.  His pale, ice blue eyes riveted on hers causing her to forget to breathe.  Everything about him had her insides tingling.  But his demeanor was cold and imposing like a person that was used to giving orders, not taking them. Mae stood up and offered Beck, her hand.  His larger one engulfed hers, the roughness of his palm triggering an all-over body shiver, as he brought their clasped hands up to his lips, placing the softest of kisses on her skin.  She pulled back quickly, with a certain uneasiness that left her feeling cautious.

“You’ve arrived just in time, we were about to order drinks.”  Wondering if he had heard the slight tremor in her voice, Mae’s knees wobbled a bit as she returned to her seat.

Beck moved to occupy the seat to her left, while Aidan took the seat on the other side of Gemma to Mae’s right.  As they sat, Aidan’s hand brushed accidentally against hers.  Quickly moving her hand, she looked at him in shock from the thousand little prickles of electricity that just ran through her hand as they touched.  His face turned red and he immediately composed himself, as if nothing happened.  Mae sat back in her chair and tried to relax, as Gemma ordered a Margarita.  She gave out a small laugh, “Gemma, only you would come to Ireland and order a tropical drink.  I’ll have a shot of Bushmills,” Mae said with confidence to the waitress, before looking at Beck, then at Aidan and changed her order.  “Make it a double.”  She was already plotting her exit…Have a few drinks, fake being drunk and high-tail it back to the room.  That way Gemma could finish her date and she could avoid what she knew would be a long and uncomfortable evening.

“I see you are familiar with one of our local whiskeys,” Aidan smiled, seemingly pleased as he turned to our waitress.  “I’ll have the same,” and he directed his gaze back to Mae continuing, “Gemma tells me you’re a computer programmer.  It just so happens that Beck is also in the business of technology.”

“Oh great!” Mae thought to herself, it’s bad enough he’s the sexiest beast she’d ever laid eyes on.  Now Fabio’s better looking brother and she had something in common.  Looking at Beck, she asked, “What type of technology do you work in?”  She inquired, attempting to make small talk, just so she didn’t look like she was trying to bail out on the date.  It helped that the outfit she was wearing gave her the confidence she needed to get this far.

Shifting in his seat, Beck stretched his long legs and leaned back in his chair.  “Developmental space technology,” he said, his gaze intensely focused on Mae, leaving her with the uncomfortable feeling of being under a microscope as a chill went up her spine.

Aidan and Gemma were completely engrossed in their own conversation when the waitress brought the drinks to the table.  Mae quickly downed hers and ordered another before the waitress had a chance to put the rest of the drinks down on the table.  All three turned to look at her, their expressions a mixture of puzzlement and concern. “Please excuse us, gentlemen,” Gemma said as she rose from her chair. “We need a moment to freshen up.”  Grabbing Mae’s hand, she practically dragged her to the ladies’ room.

When the door shut behind them, Gemma let loose with a shriek.  “What has gotten into you?   Beck is far from Fabio’s ugly cousin and it seems like you might have something in common with him.  Why in the hell are you slammin’ down whiskey like there’s no tomorrow?  This is so not like you.”   Gemma stood back, tapping her shoe as she waited for Mae’s explanation.

“I’m sorry Gemma.  There is just something about him that sends chills down my spine.” Mae started to pace the bathroom floor with an edginess that made her unable to stand in one place for any length of time. It didn’t help that since leaving the airport earlier, Mae’s thoughts had been centered on Aidan—her best friend’s date for the evening.  She didn’t have the heart to tell Gemma that she couldn’t keep her thoughts off Aidan since he walked into the bar.  He was the one that made her heart race like a school girl with a wicked crush.  Beck?  Not so much.

~~~***~~~

As soon as Gemma and Maelin excused themselves, Beck let out a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair.  "What the hell is going on here?  I tried to charm Helen back to consciousness and nothing happened."  Beck asked Aidan, searching for answers.

"I hate to tell you this, old friend, but it seems your lady has come back as a witch," Aidan said grinning.

"That's impossible!  I can smell a witch’s blood a mile away," Beck snapped, not wanting to believe what his friend was suggesting.

"I am more than aware how well you can sense my kind, but that doesn't change the fact that Maelin is a witch and a strong one to boot.  The amount of energy coursing through her is incredible!  What I want to know is why the Witch’s Council doesn't have her on their radar?" Aidan questioned.

Beck stood up and grabbed his jacket, "I have to get out of here and think."  The whole situation was too much for him to handle at the moment.

"Old friend, I have never seen you run away from anything."

"You have also never seen me heartbroken.  The last time, I wanted to die and take the rest of the world with me…and I almost did."  Beck had to get out of there before she came back.

Aidan considered the weight of Beck’s words as he left.  Although they had been friends ever since he first helped Beck steal Helen, which precipitated the Trojan War, he had only heard stories of Beck’s true destructive nature.  It was something he never cared to witness.  Since then, Helen had always been able to keep Beck’s rage in check.

After a few minutes, Gemma and Mae returned to the table.  Noticing Beck was no longer there, before she sat down Mae inquired as to his whereabouts.  “Where’s your friend?”

“It seems my friend had an emergency to attend to at work, and will be unable to join us the rest of the evening.”  Aidan said, covering for Beck’s abrupt departure.

 “I’m sorry to hear that,” she lied.  Mae was completely relieved he was gone and now it was time to execute her own exit strategy.  “I’m feeling a bit jet-lagged anyway, so if you will excuse me, I hear a hot bath and warm bed calling my name,” she said upon rising.

“Well I guess that just leaves us.  I know a quaint little restaurant just around the corner if you are up to it after we finish our drinks,” Aidan said to Gemma, gesturing towards the door.

“That sounds good.  I just need to go back to my room, freshen up and get my coat.”  Gemma smiled, hoping for Mae to have fun too, but knowing she could not force her.

~~~***~~~

As Mae walked back to their hotel room, she removed Gemma’s heels, being unaccustomed to such footwear, not to mention, they were killing her feet.  She started to think, “Beck sure did leave in a hurry.”  Then it hit her, “Maybe he thought I was Fabio’s ugly, alcoholic sister and couldn’t wait to leave at the first opportunity!  So much for stroking my self-confidence, but what should I have expected after being set up on a date with a god?”

Mae opened the door to their room, walked in and threw her purse on the bed.  Rummaging through her luggage, she pulled out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt looking forward to their relaxed comfort.  She then realized she could not reach the laces in the back of Gemma’s dress.  She was completely stuck!

Mae stood there in the middle of the bedroom feeling like a complete idiot. She was just about to call the front desk to see if the concierge could help her out when Gemma opened the door.  Mae was relieved to see her, but before she could ask for help.  Gemma stepped into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and leaving Aidan standing there.  Refusing to wait any longer to get out of the Victorian torture device disguised as a dress, and against her better judgment, she turned her back to Aidan and asked.  “Can you please undo the laces in back?  I can’t reach them.”

“Are you sure you would not rather wait for Gemma?”

“Just get me out of this damned thing,” she said as her frustration level hit an all-time high.  Her panic of being stuck in the dress one second longer over-ruled any nervousness she may have had about Aidan earlier.

He untied the knot and started to loosen the laces from the bottom up.  As the dress started to come undone, she moved her arm across the front to hold it up.  When he got to the top he stepped closer, placing his fingers on her shoulders, lightly bringing them down the sides of her arms.  Just like before, Mae could feel the electricity flow between them.  They heard the bathroom doorknob turn, and like two kids about to get caught with their hands in the cookie jar, they moved away from each other quickly.

“Aidan and I are going to dinner.  Are you going to be okay by yourself?” Gemma asked, entirely oblivious to what just transpired.

“I’m fine.  In fact I was just about to call room service when you walked in,” which was not far from the truth.  She hurried into the bathroom with her clothes and shut the door.  “Have fun!”  Mae shouted through the door as she let out a deep breath, waiting for them to leave before running the hot water in the bathtub.  “A good soak is just what I need to clear my brain,” she said aloud.

Mae eased herself into the hot water and lay back trying to empty her mind of all thoughts, but it kept wandering back to Aidan.  Unlike the accidental touch at the bar, this time it was intentional and completely sexual.  “Thank God he was not Gemma’s boyfriend and only a vacation fling.  Otherwise, I would not be able to look myself in the mirror,” she thought.

Gemma and Mae’s friendship had begun way back in middle school.  To Mae, Gemma’s friendship was far more valuable than any man and she would never intentionally do anything to call their friendship into question.  Yet, she knew if Gemma had not been in the room, things with Aidan would have gone a lot further than just a quick, arousing touch.  Something about him kept drawing her, like a vortex.  It was far more than physical attraction.  Not to say that his physique was not god-like, but there was more to this than Mae could explain.  “I just need to keep my distance.  One more day in Dublin, then the tour moves to our next location in Kinsale, and I won’t have to worry about Aidan or his friend any longer,” she thought before the water got cold.

She climbed out of the tub, dressed herself, and as promised, called room service to order some dinner.  Afterwards, she tried to watch TV but fell into a deep, dreamless slumber, not even waking when Gemma returned from her date.