Glimmers (26 page)

Derek raises his glass in the air, for me! This is great! Everyone’s staring at me, smiling and cheerful. I raise my glass and am about to . . . but suddenly, the night takes an unexpected turn, as the front door flies open. Everyone’s attention shoots in that direction, and a gust of wind whips through the foyer and into the dining room, a few balloons swirl around in its wake. Standing in the doorframe is a disheveled Julian!

Immediately, I look over and see Hailey’s reaction. She has lost color. Her gaze flits over to me and narrows. Derek watches her reaction and appears puzzled by the display. I panic! What do I do! What do I do! This is terrible!

“Glad you could make it! I never thought you’d arrive!” Elliott exclaims cheerfully, walking over to greet Julian. “Come on in, drinks are in the kitchen!” Elliott puts his hand casually on Julian’s shoulder and escorts him out. I love my husband.

I gasp for air and look around the room. No one seems to be aware of anything. I take my napkin and fan my face with it. The group seems to have lost interest in the speech and have already dispersed around my house. Derek cuts into the cake, but Hailey continues staring vacantly at the door.

I slink out of the room, hoping to avoid Hailey, all together. I weave through clusters of people, as I make my escape. But just before I enter the kitchen, I feel a strong hand grasp my arm. I turn and see an irate Hailey glaring at me.

“What’s going on here, Paige?” I can hear fury in her strained voice.

I look around, there are people everywhere. I scramble, trying to come up with someplace more private for us to talk.

“Hailey, you haven’t seen my new vanity!” I declare loudly. “Come with me and I’ll show it to you!” I take her hand and direct her away from the throngs of guests.

When we reach my bedroom, I shut the door and lock it. Hailey hasn’t turned around yet, and I stare at her back, my hands still tightly clinched to the handle.

I clear my throat before saying, “Hailey, I’m so sorry about this. I didn’t expect Julian to actually show up.”

“You mean you
invited
him here? How could you!” She turns around, and I can see her eyes are becoming red.

“Let me explain. I went to his condo to find you . . .” I begin, but she cuts me off.

“Are you completely mad? What were you thinking?” She paces the floor, waving her hands in the air. “How did you even know where he lives?”

“I didn't know, I mean I knew, but that’s not important right now. All right, I realize it was a bad idea to see him. It’s just that you wouldn’t answer your phone, and I was so desperate to talk with you.”

“You went by Julian’s place,” Hailey states, shaking her head in obvious disbelief.

“In all fairness, before I knocked, I turned to leave. He must have heard me, because he opened the door anyway,” I say, faltering a bit because her face is stricken with horror. I really don’t want to say anymore, but I force myself to continue, “Julian and I only talked for an hour or so. I felt so terrible for what I did to you. I was only trying to help.”

“You tried to help me what? Ruin my life? I had things handled. After you confronted me, I broke it off with Julian. I’m trying to do what is sensible here! Derek and I have been reconnecting. Only now, our relationship is going to be blown out of the water!” She throws herself dramatically onto the bed, sitting with her hands clasped in her lap.

“Not necessarily. Julian is with Elliott in the kitchen. I’ll go in there and encourage Julian to leave. Derek won’t notice a thing.”

Hailey doesn’t say anything. Her arms are now crossed over her chest. It’s difficult, but I successfully keep my mouth shut.

“I don’t know, Paige. Maybe it’s time for me to confess to Derek. I can’t keep living a lie,” she says with a sigh.

“Hailey, who do you want to be with twenty, thirty, even forty years from now? Who do you see yourself growing old with? If you have any doubts about Derek, you shouldn’t marry him.”

“That’s funny, because I recall you telling me I was a horrible person because I had betrayed Derek,” she says, slowly shaking her head. “I’m not sure what to do anymore.”

I sit beside Hailey and place my hand over hers. “I was wrong.”

She looks at me, and I can see the tears welling up.

“That’s great, Paige. When did you decide this?”

“Right after I had a vision about Emma and Andrew. Did you know she was engaged to someone else before she married our great grandfather?” I say excitedly.

“Paige, do you mean to tell me you actually believe in these ‘visions’?”

“They were accurate about Julian. How else did I know you were with him? How did I find his condo? Wait, so that was how I found his condo,” I suddenly realize. “Anyway, I think there’s something to the visions. Perhaps I was meant to see Emma’s life so I could help you.”

Hailey stands from the bed and walks toward the door.

“Look, I realize you’re trying to help me, but I think I need to figure this out on my own,” she says, turning the handle.

“Wait Hailey, can't you please just give me another second? I have more I’d like to say.”

“What now, Paige?” she asks in obvious frustration.

“It’s just that . . . I know I was hard on you the other night. I judged you without giving you the benefit of the doubt. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Let’s just forget about the other night. I’m ready to move forward in my life and leave all of the negative things in the past.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure,” she says, rubbing her hand roughly over her forehead.

“For whatever its worth, I hope you follow your heart and pursue a life with the man you believe will make you happy.”

“Where did that come from? You don’t sound anything like you. Normally, you lecture me about how I need to behave like a grownup and be more responsible.” Her eyes narrow and she looks at me suspiciously.

“I know. I suppose I’ve gained a new perspective on life,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

“I’m still not sure what to make of this ‘new Paige,’ but I appreciate your understanding.”

“Oh and another thing, when Mom and I refer to you as the ‘creative one’ it’s not always meant as an insult. I admire your artistic side,” I offer smiling.

“I don’t get you. I’m not even sure how to respond, but thanks, I guess.” Again, she reaches for the handle, “I’m going out there and I’m going to fix this mess.”

“Good luck!” I exclaim, while crossing my fingers and arms. She smiles a little and opens the door. I’m still sitting on the bed, unsure what to do next. I’ve made a mess of things.

Wait a minute, I know what to do! Enthusiastically, I jump up and run out of the room. I enter the kitchen and see Hailey standing in front of Julian. Elliott has backed away from them and is inching out of the room. I rush over, and after seeing me, a hint of relief comes to my husband’s face.

“What’s happening?” I whisper. We’re standing, somewhat obstructing the view from any potential onlookers.

“I’m not entirely sure. Hailey just stormed in here and started tearing into Julian,” explains Elliott. “I feel bad for the guy. He seems to be decent and friendly enough.”

“I need your help. Can you distract Derek for me? I’ve got to get Julian out of here!” I say anxiously.

“Paige, don’t you think you’ve
helped
enough? Let Hailey handle this.”

“Please, I need to correct my mistake,” I say desperately. Elliott sighs, but doesn’t answer. I begin to plead more, but he stops me.

“Fine, I’ll just go and find Derek, but you owe me.” Elliott winks and heads towards the dining room.

Hailey and Julian are really arguing. She yells at him, and for a moment even I’m scared, but then he fires right back. Although I’m frightened to death by them, I try to appear confident when I finally approach.

“Hey guys!” I say casually, placing a hand on both of their shoulders. They stop yelling but are still glaring at each other. All right, I know I can do this. “So Julian, I’m really glad you decided to come, but I’m thinking maybe you two should take this up another time,” I say, showing them a huge grin.

After a few extremely awkward seconds, they look my way, but quickly return to their heated discussion. It’s as if I’m not even here.

Julian says a little too loudly, “Hailey, you don’t love that guy! You know you should be with me!”

“You think you know about everything, when you don’t have a clue!” shoots back Hailey.

This isn’t going well, not at all. Quickly, I interject, “I have a great idea! Why don’t you both follow me, and I’ll find a place you can talk.”

I peer over my shoulder. I can’t believe somebody hasn’t noticed the fight taking place in the kitchen. These guests are oblivious.

Hailey may be looking at me, but Julian’s eyes are dead set on her. I’ve never before seen such intensity in a stare. Ooh, it’s kind of sexy. How can I get Elliott to look at me like that?

“Thanks Paige,” Hailey acknowledges.

We are able to walk back to Elliott’s office without running into anyone. I may actually get away with this! I show them the room and swiftly leave. After walking out, I quietly shut the door and slump against it. Before I am able to walk away, I hear more of their heated exchange. By the sound of it, they are really going at it. I’m guessing this will be the last I see of Julian. Such a shame, I was just beginning to like the guy.

Oh well, I nervously bite my lip and venture out to find Elliott.

Just as I’d hoped, Elliott and Derek are laughing it up with some fellow co-workers. It appears Elliott has produced his new laptop computer and is showing the gang its key features. What a nerd, I’m thinking. But then I see the small group of guys surround him and watch with keen interest.

“Nicely handled, Elliott,” I say to myself and lean against the wall, watching Elliott’s fellow nerds marvel at the technology.

Out of nowhere, my mother appears and is standing beside me. “I haven’t seen your sister for a while. Not since that handsome stranger entered the scene. I don’t suppose you know anything about what’s going on?”

“Um, no, I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I say, unconvincingly. I’ve never been good at lying, especially to my mom.

“That’s what I thought. Come over here; I’d like a word with you, young lady.” She takes me by the arm and leads me into the kitchen.

“Paige, I want you to tell me what is going on here,” she says firmly, her eyes constricting to small slits. I hate it when she quizzes me. I keep my mouth shut in response. She leans closer towards me and says, “I will find out what Hailey is up to, with or without your help. I’m guessing it’s probably better I hear it from you, than someone else. Or shall I go ask Derek?” She peers over in his direction.

Involuntarily, I look in the direction of Elliott’s office. My mother’s attention is drawn to that area. She peers back at me, appearing satisfied.

“I suppose I’ll just have to see for myself,” she says and heads down the hall.

“Mom!” I holler. What am I going to say? Quick, I must come up with something or it’ll be too late, and she’ll walk in on Hailey and Julian. “Mom, you’re right! Let’s go somewhere else to talk about this, okay?”

My mom doesn’t pay attention to me. She’s walking toward the office door. Instinctively, I jump and try to block her. She halts momentarily, and for a fleeting second, concentrates on me.

“Listen, please, don’t go in that room!” I hang my head down in shame. “Hailey’s in there with Julian. They’re attempting to be a little more discrete.”

“I see, and what do you know about this?”

“More than I want to. I think she’s letting him have it, right now. Only I think she’s making a mistake. Mom, she loves him. I know she does.”

“Paige, I need to go in there. A bridal shower is not the proper place for Derek to find out about her having an affair!”

“All right, maybe you’ll have some luck. I certainly haven’t,” I say and step aside.

My mother slithers past me and strides down the hall. Before she is able to knock on the door, we hear a loud crash! We look at each other, pure panic written across both our faces! I nudge her aside and throw open the door! My mother and I rush into the room . . . and our mouths just drop!