| The Courtyard Chapter 8 |
| Hanna groaned appreciatively as she leaned back in a steaming hot bubble bath. The past two weeks had been more than hectic with her mother visiting, spending as much time with Lance as possible and starting a new job with Jodi’s father, but her life was finally settling into a comfortable pattern. Her days were spent working long, hard hours at one of San Francisco’s finest newspapers where she felt more like a pack mule than an advertising agent, but she knew that would change once she established her clientele. Then she would spend her evenings with Lance or her mother or her friends. She rarely knew who she would be with from one day to the next, but she was always out with someone. Lance was the one person who was at her side most nights and they had become known as the party couple around town, much to Hanna’s chagrin. She enjoyed being with the people that she loved, but she would have preferred it was one on one instead of in a large group. Especially where Lance was concerned. Since she had started work and wasn’t available at a moment’s notice for surprise lunches or sunsets on the beach, their time together had to fit into their social schedule as well. Which, unfortunately, meant that they were rarely alone. Then, as if the burden of her social life hadn’t been heavy enough, Francine’s husband, Steve, arrived a few days after her mother to announce that his show was going on location and that he would be shooting out of San Francisco for several weeks. That had extended Francine’s stay as well as the number of Hanna’s social engagements. She was forced to became a master juggler with her valuable time. She was constantly on the go and luxuries like bubble baths were pushed aside in favor of a quick shower before she was on the run again. Tonight was going to be different, though. Due to a showing at Nicki’s gallery, Se Chic, she would actually be able to spend time with her family, friends and Lance together without need to rush from one to the next. That gave her a few precious minutes and she indulged in a long, hot bath complete with a dozen candles perched in strategic spots around the tub, scented oil into her water and a glass of excellent white wine. It had been far too long since she had been able to relax so completely and she refused to think of anything other than the bubbles crackling near her ear. However, the one exception was Lance. He was never far from her mind and her daydreams of him only enhanced the feeling of decadence. Their relationship had grown stronger with each passing day. Hanna couldn’t have felt more a part of his life than when he asked her to help him move, as well as his kids, from their house into the villa. She was a part of his family then. She could almost imagine herself in the roll of mother when Carol came running to her to show off her dolls or when Willie challenged her to a video game or when Sarah asked her opinion of how to best arrange her room. It nearly brought tears to her eyes when she thought about those wonderful memories. Somehow, the idea of motherhood didn’t seem so daunting any longer. Hanna was startled out of a half-doze when her doorbell chimed and she reluctantly pushed herself out of the tub. She dashed a towel over herself, then slipped into her robe as she padded to the door to find the man of her dreams on the other side. “I was just thinking of you,” she confessed as he stepped inside. “Either you just got out of the bathtub or those must have been some pretty hot thoughts,” he teased as he brushed away a splash of water that she had missed on her throat. Her eyebrow arched as she gave him a seductive smile. “Well, considering the fact that we still can’t manage to get any time alone together, either assumption would be fairly accurate.” He put his hands on her hips to pull her closer. “Is that you way of telling me that you want to have your wicked way with me?” he asked, his lips enticing as they caressed the line of her jaw, her cheek, then her ear. She sighed heavily. “I hope you’re not expecting a coherent answer because I’m not going to be able to give you one if you keep doing that.” “Does that mean you want me to stop?” he asked, dropping his lips to the column of her throat, then pushing her robe off of one shoulder so that he could taste the soft skin beneath. She breathed in the faint musk of his cologne as her fingers slipped into the curls at the nape of his neck. “Never.” His mouth trailed over her face once more until it found hers, then they shared a taste of the passion that had only been fueled while they were apart. It had become a hunger, an ache deep within the recesses of their souls that yearned for escape, but neither were willing to let that moment be one of convenience. Yet, it was becoming a constant struggle. His breathing was heavy as he held her against him. “If we don’t stop now, then I’m going to carry you back into that bedroom and say to hell with the gallery showing.” “I know,” she whispered just as breathlessly as her nails dug into his jacket at the shoulders. “What do you think about getting away this weekend?” he asked, trying to regain his composure as he looked back into her eyes. “The kids are settled in the villa and we don’t have anywhere that we absolutely have to be.” “What about that client of yours who’s throwing the dinner party?” she asked, playing devil’s advocate. He shook his head. “I’ll cancel. David will understand. We can drive down to Santa Barbara and watch the sunset together,” he suggested. “Among other things,” she returned, the tip of her tongue darting out to soothe the tingle of her lips from his kisses. “It sounds perfect. I’ll be sure to pack light.” He smiled broadly. “Now that does sound perfect,” he teased, then checked his watch abruptly when the reality of time settled in. “You had better hurry or we’re going to be late and I’ll be sure to let Nicki know that you’re the cause.” “Throwing me to the wolves already?” she asked jokingly as she tightened the belt of her robe, then hurried into her bedroom to change. * * * “Look at that line,” Hanna commented as Lance pulled in behind a waiting limousine outside of Nicki’s gallery. “I guess Steve bringing the cast from his show really sparked some major attention.” “Is that camera flashes?” Lance asked, unable to see much over the hulking car in front of them. “Unfortunately,” she returned. “There’s a huge crowd out front. This place wouldn’t happen to have a back door, would it?” He had to think for a second. It had been over a year since he had designed the studio. “Not one with easy access.” When the limousine pulled up, a valet trotted over to his window. “If you don’t want to pull up front, I can take your car now,” he told them. Lance shot Hanna a glance and she shrugged. “Maybe we can slip in behind the crowd that way,” she suggested and he immediately opened his door. As the valet climbed in behind the wheel, Lance circled the car to open Hanna’s door and give her a helping hand. She was a little unsteady at first attempting to walk up the incline in high heals, but he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and they made their way through to the gallery. The moment they walked through the door, people surrounded them, staff to take their coats, waiters to offer champagne and hors d’oeuvre as well as friends to greet them. It was a madhouse. It took them nearly ten minutes just to get a few feet away from the door and then they were stopped by Jodi. “Thank God you’re here,” Jodi said close to Hanna’s ear. “Didn’t you get my messages?” Hanna shook her head. “I didn’t think to check the machine when I got home.” “I need to talk to you,” she said hurriedly, but could get no further. “Hanna. Lance. I’m so sorry!” Nicki interrupted, taking both of their hands to have their complete attention. “I assure you that I didn’t invite Brenda here. Michael Crawford brought her as his date and I love Michael dearly, but he and I are going to have to have a long talk about his taste in company.” “Don’t worry about it Nicki,” Lance returned as he put his arm around Hanna’s waist. “You’ve got no control over who your guests bring.” “He’s right,” Hanna joined in on calming their frazzled hostess. “Besides, this place is packed enough that we probably won’t even run into her.” “You are both such dears!” she exclaimed, then gave them both a kiss on the cheek as she tugged them further into the crowd. “Now come meet the man of the hour. He’s a new artist that I’ve discovered and his paintings are the rave about town.” Hanna shot a glance behind her, but Jodi had disappeared in the throng of people. She appreciated the fact that her friend had tried to warn her about Brenda, but it hadn’t been necessary. She wasn’t in the least concerned that one of Lance’s old girlfriends was among the many guests. She was quite secure in her relationship with him and Brenda was nothing more than a passing topic of conversation. After a brief dialogue with the artist, an extremely nervous young man with enough energy pulsing through him to light the entire city, Lance and Hanna were joined by Toni as well as a succession of friends and acquaintances who stopped for a chat or just a quick hello. “Nicki should be thrilled with this turn out,” Hanna commented when she was given a moment to talk with her old friend. “No doubt,” Toni returned. “But she really worked hard to get where she is so she deserves all this attention. She’s probably out front mugging for the cameras as we speak,” she joked. “We just won’t tell her that the press are here for your step-dad and crew.” “Where are my mother and Steve?” she asked as she sent a glance through the sea of bodies. “I haven’t seen them all night.” “They’re around here somewhere. You can’t get more than two feet in here without getting stopped by someone. By the way, have you seen Jodi yet?” Hanna took a sip from her champagne, then nodded. “She caught us as soon as we walked in the door. I don’t know why she was so concerned. It’s really not that big a deal.” “I’m glad to hear it. How is Lance taking the news?” “It doesn’t bother him either. Why should it? Their relationship is ancient history.” “Their relationship?” she repeated in question. “Oh look! There’s Mother now,” Hanna said quickly when Francine and Steve began moving toward them. “Have you two been off holding court somewhere?” she asked teasingly. “We were cornered for twenty minutes by the press,” Francine returned as she touched at her perfectly styled chignon as if it might have gotten mussed during the lengthy interview. “They’re always trying to get a scoop.” “I could always tell them that you’re my new daddy,” Hanna said with a wicked smile for Steve. “You do and your allowance is cut off,” Steve warned her with the stern shake of his finger. Hanna laughed, then received a swift peck on her lips from him. She had liked Steve the moment she had met him and she was thrilled to see how happy he made her mother. Francine was like a school girl when she was with him, not that she had ever acted her age anyway, but Hanna was glad to see that at least there was a reason behind it this time. Her eyes flashed over her own man as he gave her mother a kiss and shook her step-father’s hand. The future was looming brightly for them and she couldn’t imagine anything that could change that. “He’s here,” Marcy said urgently as she grabbed Toni by the arm. “You’re kidding?” Toni returned with a frown. She shook her head. “I just saw him coming through the door.” “Who’s here?” Hanna asked when she caught part of their conversation. Marcy’s eyes became wide and she darted a glance at Toni. “Jodi didn’t tell her?” Even before she could respond, a disturbance in the crowd drew everyone’s attention. Someone was pushing his way through and security men were right behind, causing a ripple of motion in the gallery as well as several raised voices in protest. Then people began to part and Hanna received her first glimpse of the person causing the commotion. “Oh my...” she started, but couldn’t finish as her eyes locked with his, her mouth dropping open in shock. “Hanna!” he called out in relief and rushed toward their little group. “Tommy,” she said through gritting teeth. “What the hell are you doing here?” She tried to keep her voice low, but an uneasy silence had fallen over the room and she glanced around with concern. The last thing that she wanted was to cause a scene at Nicki’s party, but there usually wasn’t any stopping it when Tommy was around. “I could ask you the same thing,” he shot back, shaking off the security men’s grip when they took his arms. “Who the hell is this guy?” he asked, gesturing with his head in Lance’s direction. “That’s none of your business,” she snapped back, folding her arms over her chest. “The hell it’s not,” he returned and pointed his finger angrily at Lance. “Get your hands off of my wife, buddy.” “Ex-wife,” Hanna said firmly and Lance moved closer to her side. “Will you get him out of here?” Francine asked the security men who seemed to hesitate now that Tommy had found her daughter. “Why are you doing this, Hanna?” Tommy asked almost desperately. “I’m not about to rehash our pitiful excuse for a relationship in front of all these people. Now get out of here,” she insisted. “I told you to get your hands off of my wife!” he yelled at Lance, then lunged for him, but was snatched back by security before he could reach him. “Ex-wife,” Lance repeated and took a step closer to protect Hanna in case he decided to come at him again. “Is that what she told you?” Tommy asked, then laughed viciously. “We’re not divorced. She just left. She told me that she was coming out here to see her mom and I haven’t heard from her since.” “What?” Hanna returned incredulously. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Have you gone completely insane?” “It’s okay baby. I forgive you,” he said, then tried to shake off the security guards once more when they started to pull him away. “Now will you call these watch dogs off?” “It’s true Hanna,” Jodi said when she finally broke through the crowd to get to her friend’s side. “That’s what I was trying to tell you earlier. Tommy came by my house when he couldn’t find you.” Hanna looked at her with bemusement. “What are you talking about?” she asked. “What’s true?” “You’re still married,” Jodi said softly. An explosion of activity began around them as Tommy was finally dragged from the building and the people nearest to them began filling others less fortunate in on what had happened, but Hanna tuned it all out. The only thing that she could hear was the pounding of her own heart in her ears and the only thing that she could see was the expression of pure pain on Lance’s face. “There’s got to be some mistake,” Francine insisted as she grabbed at her daughter’s arm. “What in the hell is going on?” Nicki asked as she pushed her way through the crowd, completely flustered that there was an incident at her private showing. “I thought that you told her,” Marcy said to Jodi as everyone began talking at once. “Don’t you worry, sweetheart. We’ll get to the bottom of this,” Francine said, giving her arm a shake to gain her attention, but failing. “I swear, it’s not true,” Hanna whispered to Lance, her eyes welling with unshed tears. This couldn’t be happening. This was just the sort of drama that played out in her mother’s life, not hers. His head twitched in just a hint of a shake. “That’s what Brenda said,” he returned softly. “That’s not fair,” she shot back. “I have no clue what twisted scheme Tommy has come up with now, but you have to believe me. You have to trust me.” “I did,” he said succinctly. “I did trust you,” he reiterated as his anger began to build. “I trusted you so much that I introduced you to my children. It was bad enough when Brenda pulled this same stunt, but at least I only had myself invested in that relationship.” His paused in an attempt to reign in his emotions that were raging out of control. “What am I going to tell my kids?” he asked. “You can tell them the truth!” she countered. “None of this is real, Lance. This isn’t happening.” “Oh no?” he asked, hoping against hope that she could convince him. As the first teardrop hit her cheek, he instinctively reached out to brush it away, then stopped himself. “It feels pretty real to me,” he said, then turned and walked away. * * * |