Page 35 of Love Beyond the Illusion
“Maybe,” he quips. “But what wouldPipersay?”
“I would say—” I pause for a brief moment, then glance around the room a few times, searching for an authentic answer and not what would be expected of me. “Good luck, and tell me about it later.”
Jack’s eyes light up. “Thank you. I’ll tell you how it went when you gethome.”
I laugh. “I’ll see you when I get home, dear!”
“Can’t wait. Goodbye,” he calls out.
Holding back a snicker, I walk down the entryway toward the front door. Jack’s car is parked in the first space right outside the villa. I hop in, plug the hotel’s address into my GPS, and get on my way.
While on the drive over, I thought of what I would talk about with these women. What if they ask me questions about Jack, and I can’t answer them? We talked about so much during our short time in Vegas, and I wish I could remember all of it. Some things have come back here and there, but not much. I’m hoping I can pull this off.
The GPS alerts me that I’ve already made it to my destination. Jack was right. It’s literally down the street. I pull his black BMW into the small parking lot of a rustic boutique hotel. Reaching into the back seat, I grab my bag and water bottle. Placing the bag in my lap and suck in a heavy breath. “I can do this,” I whisper to myself while gripping the rubber padding on the steering wheel.
I walk into an airy and naturally charming lobby. I catch a glimpse of the pool through the large windows and see a group of about eight to ten women chatting between two covered cabanas.
“Welcome toThe Grey House. How can I help you?” a woman behind the counter with short brown hair and wearing what looks like a horse-riding vest greets me.
“Hello, I’m here for—”
“Noreen, she’s with us. That’s Jack’s girlfriend,” a woman’s voice interjects.
“Oh, hello!” the woman behind the counter says in a cheerier tone.
“Hi, Piper.” Heidi is suddenly standing on my left in a one-piece bathing suit and a floral cover-up. “Noreen, this is Piper.”
“Hello, it’s great to meet you”, I say, smiling at Noreen.
“It’s so good to meet you, Piper. I can’t believe Jack brought a woman home,” Noreen says, bringing her eyes back to Heidi. I guess she knows Jack well enough to comment on his love life. Has hereallynever brought anyone around his family? I’ve always been reluctant to bring guys that I’ve dated around Roxy, but that’s for obvious reasons. But Jack’s mom is warm and kind.
“I know, isn’t she beautiful—and so sweet? I invited her with us today. Can you send out Paul in a few minutes to grab her order?” Heidi asks.
“Of course. It was great meeting you, Piper, and if you need anything at all, give me a holler.” Noreen reaches over the counter to touch my arm.
“It was wonderful to meet you as well and thank you so much.” I smile.
“Let’s head out and introduce you to the ladies in our women’s group.” Heidi hooks a loose arm around me and leads me to the pool area.
As we approached the other women, I noticed that not one of them was swimming, which I was relieved to discover. When Heidi first mentioned a spa—andpool,I was nervous about it being too cold for me. This Phoenix girl is not about to swim in seventy-nine-degree weather—unless the pool is heated, of course.
Heidi begins my introductions. “This is Adeline. She’s the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce.”
Stretched out on the lounge chair, wearing a cream-colored wrap dress, she tips her oversized sun hat to look in my direction. “Nice to meet you. Love to see our Jack finally settling down.”
I beam with pride playing the part of Jack’s girlfriend, and I find myself wishing it was real. When he does find someone to marry for real, she will be lucky and adored. “It’s great to meet you, Adeline.”
“And this is Heather. She owns Helena Wines,” Heidi continues, ushering me over to the next chair.
Heather sips a tropical cocktail with an umbrella on the top. She looks slightly younger than Jack’s mom and Adeline. “Great to meet you, love.”
As Heidi and I make our way to each small group of women, my head is spinning by the time we finish with two brunettes that look about my age.
When we approach them, Heidi looks caught off guard. “Piper, this is Sophia and Misty. They both work for Mountain Coast Winery here in town.”
Sophia rises from the chair, flips her wavy chestnut hair around, and looks me directly in the eyes. “Jack’s girlfriend. It’s nice to meet you.” She’s smiling, but there’s something misleading about it.
Misty raises her sunglasses and waves at me comfortably from her seat.
