Chapter Sixteen
David enters and immediately sees Erica at the hotel bar. She looks smashing, as always. On her way to the island, she had taken in Versace's spring shows and ordered a closet full of haute couture. David, despite his admiration and grudging respect for Ms. Kane, isn't looking for a new conquest. He wants something different now but he isn't sure what, exactly.
He walks over and orders a drink.
Erica sighs heavily. "Must you insist on following me everywhere?"
"Erica, what a coincidence, I didn't even see you there."
She rolls her eyes.
"I assure you our running into each other is entirely coincidental. It's a small island. If it bothers you that much, I'll take a table in the corner and you won't even notice I'm here."
"Thank you, I would appreciate it if you would. I came here to be alone and I would like to keep it that way."
"If you insist."
David takes his drink and walks to a nearby chair. Erica enjoys the view of his retreating frame, then catches herself. "Has it really been so long that David Hayward is starting to look desirable? I need to get off this island--or take a cold shower."
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Ryan's first meeting of Adult Children of Alcoholics breaks up and the members begin to scatter around the room, mingling amongst each other. Hayley leads Ryan to the refreshment table and hands him a cup of juice.
"So tell me-- what are you and Gillian fighting about?"
"What makes you think we're fighting?"
"Come on, I know you both too well. I can sense when something's amiss at Casa de Lavery, so spill."
"Gillian's pissed that I came with you tonight instead of her." Ryan admits grudgingly.
"Oh, I see. She thinks you confide in me more about your childhood, and it makes her feel left out."
"She told you that?"
Hayley nods her head, and offers Ryan a cookie, which he accepts. "The question now is, what are you going to do to fix that?"
"I don't know. You've been married three times, why don't you give me your advice for keeping a happy, healthy relationship?" He says, smirking.
"Hey! That was completely uncalled for. I'm not giving you anymore of my cookies."
When their laughter dies down, he says softly, "It's just easier to talk to you about it."
"It would be easier with Gillian if you'd just tell her where you're coming from, what you're going through."
"I don't want to hurt her."
"She's not a glass doll, Ryan. She's tough, she's not going to break that easily. Look, it's early, she's probably still awake, why don't you go home and try to work it out, ok?"
"I will. Thanks, Hayley," he says, hugging her. "You did really well up there tonight."
"It takes time. Just remember that."
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Ryan tiptoes softly into their room, seeing Gillian asleep in bed, he walks over to turn off the lamp next to her. She stirs, and her eyes flutter open.
"I was waiting for you. I didn't want to go to bed angry." She says groggily, sitting up and putting aside the book that she had dropped on her chest.
"I'm not angry, baby."
"Oh good, 'cause I'm not either. I didn't mean all that stuff I said."
"Me neither." He says, leaning down to kiss her. "But I think we need to talk."
She nods her head. "Yeah, I know."
Gillian pulls back the covers, and gestures for him to join her in bed. Ryan takes off his shirt and lays down next to her. Cradling her in his arms, he tells her about his life before her.
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