I know I posted that I’d be ending this Wednseday, but I just don’t like where I cut the scene into two posts, and there really isn’t a better place. So I decided to give you the final scene all together today.
Thursday is the release of Episode 5 for purchase! I’ll start posting it on the blog on Monday. Conor really takes a turn for the Beast in Episode 5 when Charisse makes a bad decision about the loan. How far is she willing to go to keep her salon? You’ll have to stay tuned to Episode 5 to find out!
Charisse sat on Conor’s bed with her legs curled behind her. He had azure walls and a paint splash art piece hanging on the wall opposite of her. Of course, the view of the skyline was gorgeous like all views in his penthouse. What she really liked, though, were the glass closet doors with a place in the Grand Canyon etched into them. She suspected it was the same location as in the Ansel Adams picture out in the living room.
But instead of admiring any of it, she stared at the Walgreens bag next to her open overnight bag.
Conor had stopped at her apartment and asked Marie to pack one for her. Marie had refused until Conor got her on the phone. That had been a weird conversation with Marie nearly crying about how sorry she was she hadn’t interfered with Josh. It’d been too much to handle, and Charisse had gotten off the phone as soon as she could. She’d definitely felt closer to Marie recently, but they had a long way to go. However, the change of clothes were a welcome sight.
She kept staring at the Walgreens bag. She placed her hand on her belly. Her OBGYN had said there was no reason why she couldn’t get pregnant again and carry it full term, but he also didn’t have an explanation for the miscarriage. He said they just happened sometimes.
If she’d gone back on birth control pills or if Conor had worn a condom, she wouldn’t be thinking about a baby at all. But taking a pill after sex to prevent a pregnancy that could be taking place right now bothered her. What if it was a happy accident that turned into a beautiful baby with Conor? She knew he would make a great dad, even if they never got married.
She frowned and pulled her knees to her chest. He had no reason to marry her at all. And if she did get pregnant, he might think she was trying to trap him.
She shook her head. He wasn’t Josh. He was entirely different.
“Hey.”
She heard Conor’s voice from the doorway and looked up with wide eyes. His sapphire eyes appeared concerned like he feared she was having a relapse. He wore shorts again and a black t-shirt that was untucked. He hadn’t shaved, giving him the look of the perfect weekend companion. Actually, she was beginning to think of him as perfect for just about any occasion.
She should talk to him about what she was thinking. It wasn’t just her decision.
He said, “Raul made a surprise for you that’s waiting in the theatre, but I can bring it here if you’re not feeling up to a movie, or if you want to watch one in here.”
“He made a surprise for me?” She couldn’t begin to imagine what he’d done.
“Yeah, are you up for it?” He glanced over at the Walgreens bag. His face changed expression, but she couldn’t read it. “Did you take it?” He asked, looking up from the bag.
She shook her head. “I mean, I know I should, the decision just doesn’t seem that easy.” She released her legs and curled them behind her again while she kept talking. “But you probably don’t want a baby so then that should be the end of the discussion. And really, I’m in no condition to have one right now. I should be in therapy–”
“Charisse.” Conor had crossed the room, sat down and taken her hands in his.
“What?”
“Plan B is most effective the first day, but you’ve had a rough time. If you want to put off the decision a couple of days, I’m fine with that. And I’ll support whatever you decide.”
She gave a sideways frown. “But what does that mean? I don’t want to have a baby you don’t want, but I’m constantly worried I won’t ever be able to have kids. Maybe I did forget on purpose and you should be mad at me.”
He dropped her hands and held her face. His gaze was more intense than she’d ever seen it. “Please don’t compare me to Josh. I’m sure it’s hard, but he and I don’t think alike at all. I’ve wanted kids for several years now. When Elise and I got married, we agreed to start having them in our thirties. But when she turned thirty, she changed her mind. It was a big disappointment to me. I don’t think now would be the best time for you to be pregnant, but you are the one who should decide that. So either way you decide about Plan B, I’ll support you.”
Charisse practically threw herself at him and held him in a hug. She loved the feel of his arms around her and his cheek pressed on the top of her head. They held each other until someone cleared his throat. She looked up to see Raul standing in the doorway with two coffee cups in his hands.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I didn’t want this to get cold. Are you feeling better, Charisse?”
Charisse nodded and said, “Yes, thank you. I’m not quite myself yet, but Conor is a huge help.”
“Come in Raul,” said Conor. “Charisse is going to love this.”
Raul stepped into the room. He wore jeans and a black button-up shirt—a more casual look than she was used to seeing him in. She was beginning to think he was more like a manservant than just a driver.
He held out the coffee cup and said, “This is the best way to drink Puerto Rican coffee, cafe con leche.”
Charisse took the offered white china coffee cup and Conor took the other. She inhaled the delicious aroma and stared at the milky coffee. When she took a sip, it was like bitter and sweet had married in her mouth.
“I love it,” she said.
“Wow,” said Conor. “You’d have to build a cafe onto your salon if you started serving that. Hey, that’s not a bad idea.”
Charisse laughed and said, “I don’t think I can brainstorm about the salon right now. Let’s go watch a bad movie.”
Conor laced his fingers in hers as they stood up. She glanced towards the Walgreens bag. She’d decide tomorrow. She could tell it was time for another valium by how jittery she was getting again. Tomorrow she’d hopefully have a clear head and not have to take any drugs. Better to decide then, but at least she had Conor on her side.
Evelyn Aster 