Falling for Him 4 (Rachel and Peter in Love) Read online

  Chapter 15

  This isn’t happening! How could she! Peter stood between Rachel and Lara, a desperate look upon his face as he tried to assimilate what he’d just been told. But what was even worse was the situation he found himself thrown into now: To his left Rachel shouting exasperated, calling Lara every vile and hateful name she could think of. On the other side Lara sobbing noisily not able to stop.

  He was so uncomfortable being in the middle of two upset women, for a moment all he wanted to do was retreat to the bedroom and hide.

  Realizing that wouldn’t solve anything, he dealt with Rachel first. “Rachel, honey you need to calm down. Please, your tears are killing me here. Shush, please calm down.” She stopped shouting and cursing, but instead started sobbing uncontrollably.

  He knew that Rachel had suffered a lot from Lara’s actions, and had carefully constructed walls around her during the last several months. Lara’s name was never mentioned and both of them had tried to avoid that topic altogether. Now all the tears, sorrow, and pain the woman had caused came bursting forth in a rushing tide of emotion that wouldn’t be stopped.

  Peter tried again, with a pleading tone in his voice; he needed at least one of the women to stop crying so they could sort this mess out.

  After a while, Rachel finally managed to gain control of her tears. Peter rocked her in his arms like a baby and dried her tears, all the while whispering mollifying words into her ear. He helped her sit down, handed her several extra tissues before looking to where Lara was still sobbing on the couch.

  Peter was helpless; comforting sobbing women wasn’t one of his core abilities. Furthermore he didn't dare to comfort Lara out of fear that Rachel would start getting angry again.

  He looked at her, pleading for her understanding and acceptance. When she nodded with a sigh, he went over to Lara and patted her shoulders. He murmured words of comfort, hoping she would gain control of herself soon. It was an awkward situation. Finally, she stopped crying and he handed her some tissues from the box Rachel held out.

  Peter returned to Rachel’s side, sitting on the arm of the chair while Lara continued her story. She told them how she had seen her chance to get Peter back, and how she had purposely lied about them still being engaged, taking advantage of his temporary memory loss.

  She told them about other lies she had told, and circumstances she had orchestrated to keep Peter with her. How the guilt over her actions had slowly been eating her up, and how she’d come to the realization that she was a horrible person. A person who shouldn’t be allowed to live.

  She even told them a little about her stint in rehab and David, and how she refusal to come clean about the accident had damaged her relationship with him in the final weeks before her discharge.

  When she finally ran out of words, she looked at them both, “I know it’s a lot to ask for, and I don’t expect it to happen today, but I hope that sometime in the future you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. I really am sorry about everything.”

  Peter looked at the broken woman sitting across from him. He’d never expected it, but she seemed to have completely changed. He just hoped, this wasn’t another of her charades. Is this another stunt she’s pulling? Or is it true? Even though he believed her – wanted to believe her – he didn’t trust his own intuition. After all, she’d deceived him so many times.

  He needed help to form his decision and threw a glance at Rachel. After all, she’d shown a great deal more knowledge of human nature than him. He stared at her, silently communicating his doubts with her in only the way two people in love could. When she smiled at him and then looked to Lara, he realized that while she wasn’t ready to forgive right now, she’d noticed the sincerity in Lara and wouldn’t mind him forgiving her.

  Peter had never wished misfortune to anyone, not even her. He wanted to see her whole and happy and if his forgiveness granted her the ability to move forward in her life, he would gladly give it to her. Still it was a lot to take in! After all, he’d been ill for months after the accident.

  After a silent fight with himself, he moved on to say: “Lara, you’ve told us a lot today, and I know how hard that must have been for you. I for my part want you to know how much I appreciate you coming here and telling us what really happened. I forgive you and I hope that sometime soon, you can forgive yourself and find the happiness you deserve. ”

  ***

  Rachel listened to Peter’s words, realizing that he really was a prince in hiding. He was also a very wise man, and while he was willing to forgive Lara right now, she needed a few more days to process everything.

  Rachel was still thinking about that, not having seen Lara leave and head down the street. Peter had called a taxi for her, but she had insisted on walking to the edge of the street to wait for it, stating she needed a few minutes to herself and would welcome the exercise.

  “Rachel, honey?” Peter asked, pulling her from the chair before sitting himself back down, pulling her back onto his lap.

  “Is she gone?” Rachel asked, coming back to the present and noticing that Lara was no longer sitting on the couch.

  “Yeah, she had me call her a taxi and then she walked down to the corner to meet it.”

  “Really?” Rachel asked in awe. That action alone was so unlike Lara it was hard to believe. “She’s really changed, hasn’t she?”

  Peter nodded his head, wrapping his arms around Rachel and hugging her close, “She has. I don’t think she’ll bother us anymore.”

  Rachel was silent for a moment, enjoying having Peter’s arms around her, but not sure if she was ready to trust Lara’s apparent transformation, “I guess time will tell.”

  “Skeptical?” Peter asked.

  “A bit. I mean, it’s a lot to take in. She’s like a totally different person. Can someone change that much in only a few short weeks?”

  “You know, I think with the right help, they can. It sounds like she got that help. Anyway, enough about Lara. I want to talk about us.”

  Rachel turned sideways in his arms, “That sounds promising. I like talking about us. But you know what I like better than that?” she asked with a slow grin.

  Peter grinned back at her before rising with her in his arms, “I have a good idea. Why don’t we discuss it in bed?”

  “Gosh, you got it in one. You’re really smart,” Rachel told him, squealing as he tickled her before tossing her on the unmade bed.

  Coming down beside her, he smoothed her hair back from her forehead and whispered, “I always was the smart one. Now, let me show you what I like…”

  Chapter 16

  Lara walked down to the corner of the street, a smile of satisfaction upon her face. She was so relieved to have that over with. It had gone much better than she could have ever imagined, and knowing that she had Peter’s forgiveness was liberating in a big way.

  The taxi arrived and she climbed in the back. When asked where she wanted to go, she paused for a moment. She had just done the hardest thing in her life and really wanted to share it with someone who would understand.

  Her father would nod his head, but he wouldn’t really understand. Stephen Bishop didn’t make apologies; at least he’d never made one to his daughter’s knowledge. No, he definitely wouldn’t understand.

  The only person who would truly understand was David. God, I wish I could talk to him!

  “Ma’am, I hate to pressure you, but we’re coming up on the main intersection, and I really need to know where to take you.”

  Lara looked around her and then on a whim, told the driver, “Sunset Malibu, please. That is where I’d like to go.”

  “Uh, ma’am. You realize that’s a few hours away from here. I’m not authorized to drive you that far.”

  Lara smiled at the taxi driver, “Sorry. How about the airport then?”

  The taxi driver shook his head in the rearview mirror, “Now, the airport I can handle. Sit tight.”

  Lara wasn’t one to normally be spontaneous, but that
didn’t seem to matter at the moment. She arrived at the airport and booked the first flight to Los Angeles, pleased when she was told there was a flight leaving within the hour.

  She called her father and told him where she was headed, refusing the offer of his car and driver to take her there. She didn’t want to waste the rest of the day sitting in the back seat of a car. No, she’d fly down to the rehab center and see David. Just the thought of seeing him again made her body tingle.

  *****

  Lara smiled at the taxi driver as he pulled away from the front of the rehab center. Now that she was finally here, she was nervous, yet excited. What if he doesn’t want to see me?

  She entered the facility, watching as the receptionist Becky’s eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t know you were coming back?”

  “I’m not back to stay. I was actually hoping to speak with Dr. Richards, if I could. Do you know if he has any openings in his schedule this afternoon?”

  Becky’s smile disappeared and she looked at the lovely young woman standing in front of her, “Lara, I’d love to help you out, but David doesn’t work here anymore. He renounced.”

  Lara was shocked and tried her best to cover up her disappointment, “What?! Renounced? I mean, I’ve only been gone a week…” Lara stopped speaking, as there was nothing left to say.

  How could David up and quit his job? He loved his job and helping people? Didn’t he?

  Becky was looking at her in sympathy and Lara had a brainstorm. “Becky, I really need to talk to him. Do you happen to know where he went?” Lara remembered that he had been living in one of the bungalows on site, and was hoping he’d left a forwarding address.

  The receptionist shook her head, “Lara, you know I can’t give out that kind of information. I’d lose my job if I started giving out our doctor’s private addresses.”

  Lara nodded in understanding, “I’m sorry. Of course I know that. Do you know if he’s set up private practice somewhere? Perhaps I could contact him there?”

  “To my knowledge, he’s not practicing anywhere right now.”

  “Do you mind telling me when he quit?” Lara asked.

  “The same day you left. He walked in to the director’s office shortly before dinnertime and said he quit. He couldn’t play these games anymore and he was taking his two-weeks’ vacation as his notice.”

  “Can he do that?” Lara asked, confused at why David had left so suddenly.

  Becky shrugged, “He did it. Why do you need to see him?”

  “Could one of our other doctors help you? I know you spent some time with Oscar. I could see if he’s available.”

  Lara appreciated Becky’s attempt to assist her, but she was at a loss for words. What could she say? She couldn’t tell her that she's in love with David and needed to apologize for her immature behavior, could she?

  Her mind quickly ran through several scenarios, finally settling on an excuse she hoped might work. “You know, I don’t think I’d feel comfortable with Oscar. David helped me so much, I was hoping we could continue my therapy outside the clinic. A few new things have come up in the last week and I wanted to discuss them with him.” Lara let her voice sound defeated, playing to the sympathy she could see on the receptionist’s face. I’m sorry Becky, but I really need to talk to David!

  Becky listened to Lara and noticed her predicament. Lara had come to like Becky, who was a very warmhearted and romantic woman, who’d helped her quite a few times with some errands she needed. And she believed her to suspect that Lara and David had become very close during her stint at the center, fighting their attraction to one another on a daily basis. She’d seen it on her knowing face whenever she met them together, looking at each other.

  It was her only chance, so Lara plunged at her intuition and said. “Becky, it’s very important for me personally that I talk to him…”

  Becky reached into her desk, pulled out the staff directory and opened it up to the page containing David’s address. She gave Lara a conspiring smile and said “I’m sorry, I can’t help. If there isn’t anything else I can do for you, please excuse me, I need to take an urgent call.” She tapped the book lying open on her desk with her hands and stood up.

  Lara was almost beaming, “No, nothing else. Thank you anyways and have a wonderful day.”

  Becky picked up her coffee cup, heading for the employee lounge for a refill. “You too, Ms. Bishop!”

  Lara waited until Becky disappeared around the corner, her heart beating. She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and quickly snapped a picture of the address book. David Richard’s address was clearly visible through the screen. Without pausing, she dialed the taxi, and headed outside to wait.

  The same taxi that had brought her from the airport was only at the end of the street and quickly returned for her. Only after getting into the back of the vehicle was she able to finally breathe easily.

  She pulled up the screen, gave the driver the address, and then settled back in the seat for the thirty-minute drive. She would have to send Becky a token of her appreciation once she got home. That woman was worth gold!

  Chapter 17

  The taxi pulled away from the curb outside David’s new address, and Lara couldn’t help but think that seeing the taillights of a taxi was becoming too common. She had started the day out that way, and here she was, in the middle of the afternoon doing the same thing.

  The flight down to Los Angeles had only taken an hour, but the traffic from the airport to the clinic had been horrendously congested and taken almost an hour and a half by itself. Add in the thirty minute drive to her present location, and she was suddenly wondering if she should have thought her actions through a little more.

  Pushing those thoughts aside, she opened the door of the fairly modern apartment building and scanned the last names on the apartments for Richards. Seeing it was located on the third floor, she entered the elevator and moments later found herself replaying another part of her day. Standing in front of a door and trying not to panic or run away. Am I trapped in a time-loop or what?

  As she made the comparison between Peter’s door and David’s door, she realized that this door was much easier. Plunging ahead before she could talk herself out of it, she pushed the bell and waited.

  David pulled the door open and his eyes widened in surprise. God, he looked good! What she wouldn’t do to have the right to throw herself into his arms and greet him with a kiss!

  “Hi,” she offered by way of greeting.

  David looked at her, and then behind her and down the hallway; "What are you doing here?"

  Lara thought she could hear some joy in his voice, apart from the surprise, but she could be mistaken. She didn’t want to assume that he was happy to see her. "I came to see you."

  Suddenly, she felt stupid. Taking another leap of faith, she asked, "May I come in?" What if he said “No?” What would she do?

  "Sure," David said, stepping back to allow her room to enter. “Come on in and have a seat.” David led the way to his couch and waited until she was seated before he sat down as well.

  “How did you get here?” David asked.

  “I went by the clinic to see you. You weren’t there,” she said, trying to keep her voice nice and even.

  “No. I quit. I moved in here about a week ago.” David looked around his small apartment, “It’s not much, but…”

  “It’s very nice.”

  “So, you went to the clinic? Is everything okay?” She noticed the concern in his voice.

  “I realized after I’d been home for a few days, thinking about everything you’d said, that you were right about Peter and the accident. I guess I was holding out hopes that you’d be wrong. Just thinking about confronting Peter with what I’d done was such a daunting task, and I was afraid of the consequences.

  When I realized that his response wasn’t as important as my telling him, I decided to take your advice and go see him.”

  David answered overjoyed, “Lara, I’m so pr
oud of you. It took a lot of bravery to come clean. You’ve shown a maturity you didn’t have when you first came to the center. Congratulations.”

  Lara beamed beneath his praise, and while she was thrilled to hear him verbally acknowledge her good job, she’d been secretly hoping for a different reaction. A much more physical reaction. She was so caught up in the daydream of what she was hoping would happen, she missed the telltale smirk on his face.

  He suddenly asked, “So you came all the way down here from Santa Clara to tell me that you met with your ex-boyfriend?”

  Lara looked at him incredulously. What is he thinking? She was about to ask him that, but his teasing smile gave him away. Lara shook her head, deciding to play along and see where it led. “Actually, no. I came here for another reason.”

  David paused at the seriousness in her voice. “And that is?”

  Lara saw he was tensely awaiting her answer and decided to string him along a little further. He had started to tease her, but she was an expert at this game, “Well….I needed to see my therapist.”

  The joy on his face suddenly vanished and he looked all business, somewhat disappointed. “I see.”

  Ouch, that went wrong! She hastily corrected herself, “David, I was joking.” She gave him a smile and then continued, “I wanted to see you.” She paused for effect and then told him, “I wanted to find out if our attraction could build into a relationship.”

  David was at a loss of words, and quickly changed the topic. “So, back up and tell me how you are now sitting in my living room. The center doesn’t give out private addresses.”

  “No, but Becky likes me, and I believe she suspects we were attracted to each other. She didn’t give me your address, but gave me enough time to find it out for myself.”

  “I see.”

  “Once I had come clean, I needed to tell someone. I was sitting in the back of a taxi, thinking about how well this morning had gone, and wishing I had someone to share it with. I couldn’t think of anyone but you.