Chapter 88

"May I interest you in some champagne, sir?" the waiter asked, carrying a bottle when he approached.
Craig smiled. "Yes, by all means and leave the bottle."
"Craig, I can't stay long. I have to get back to work," I said as I opened the menu.
He reached over and placed his hand over mine, but I pulled away and took a sip of my champagne.
Craig looked in my eyes. "I missed you while you were away."
Before I could reply, the waiter approached our table. "Welcome to Husk Restaurant. May I take your order, or would you like another minute?" he asked, sensing that he had just interrupted something.
Craig shook his head, and then looked over at me. "Are you ready?"
I nodded. "I'd like the catfish." I dearly loved catfish, and Husk had the best in town.
Craig closed his menu. "Sounds delicious," he said as he smiled.
I looked away.
"I'll have the same," Craig said, sobering.
The waiter gave us a slight bow. "Right away, sir. I'll have that to your table momentarily." He nodded and then walked away.
"What's wrong?" Craig asked in a low voice, picking up his champagne.
I shook my head. "What do you mean?"
He let out a deep breath. "You've been acting strange today, as if you have a lot on your mind." He set down his champagne glass and looked at me intently. "What happened in New York?"
For a moment, I wondered how much to tell him. Surely, he would think that I had finally gone crazy if I told him. But we had been friends far too long not to be honest. "I think I saw Logan," I said, looking him in the eye to gauge his reaction.
He stared at me blankly, but didn't look shocked. "What makes you say that?"
I let out a deep breath as I leaned against the back of the chair. "I saw him at the party." I bit my lower lip. "Casey was performing and I was talking to someone. When I looked across the room, I think I saw him."
"Are you sure that it wasn't someone that just looked like him?" Craig leaned forward and folded his arms on the table. He let out a deep breath as he looked away and then back again. "I hate to say it, but he died ten years ago."
Pain immediately gripped my heart. "Yes, of course! I know." But, somehow, I wish it was true, that there was some kind of mistake, a bad joke
Craig placed his hand over mine. "Alyssa, are you all right?" he asked, the look in his eyes contrite. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up "
"You didn't. I did," I said flatly.
"Well, I asked," he corrected and then let out a deep breath. "Let's just enjoy lunch. You may have just seen someone that looks like him. Maybe "
I let out a deep breath. "Yeah, yeah. I know." I shook my head as my eyebrows pulled together in concern. "But what I can't figure out is that if it wasn't him, why was he looking right at me?"
He shrugged. "You're a celebrity, Alyssa."
"Was a celebrity," I corrected. Well, it was clear that I wasn't getting anywhere.
"Alyssa," Craig said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "I know how hard it was for you, but you have to go on with your life."
My jaw clenched tightly as I lowered my voice. "What do you think I've been doing these past ten years? I've become a lawyer. I've moved on."
"No, you haven't," Craig said gently. "Alyssa, I'm not sure that now this is the right place to say this, but Logan isn't coming back."
I jerked my hand quickly away. "Don't you think I know that, Craig? I've been telling myself that for the past ten years!"
"Alyssa, calm down "
"No. You calm down!" I ranted, attracting the attention of patrons sitting close by. I bit my lower lip and looked around as everyone regarded me with pity. "I have to go." I quickly picked up my purse and slid back my chair.
"Alyssa, I'm sorry!" Craig said, grabbing my hand, and then lowered his voice as he looked in to my eyes. "Alyssa, please stay."
I jerked my hand away. I'd be damned if I was going to sit there and listen to any more. How dare he talk to me that way? Of course, I knew that Logan was gone and he wasn't coming back. Hot tears stung my eyes and threatened to spill over.
"Thanks for lunch," I croaked, and then rushed out the door, unable to say anymore.
The cold night air assaulted me as I slipped into my coat. "Taxi! Taxi!" I shouted as I held up my hand. A taxi suddenly stopped short, and I slid into the back just as Craig ran out the door. I quickly gave the driver the address of my office and he sped off, leaving Craig standing on the sidewalk.
I leaned my head back against the seat as the taxi sped through the city streets. On the way back, I noticed the pedestrians walking along the sidewalk, hurrying on to who knows where. It was funny. They went on with their lives like bees, hurrying from flower to flower, not really knowing how fragile life can be. Not realizing that everything could change in an instant. I closed my eyes, feeling every bump in the road as the taxi turned corners, until, finally, it came to a stop in front of my office.
I looked down at my watch, and then quickly threw some bills over the seat. "Keep the change," I said as I slid out of the cab without waiting for a reply.
I rushed into the building and into the elevator. Within minutes, I opened the door by my office. "Mr. Davis is waiting," Mrs. Farrow said discreetly, following me in.
"Tell him I'll be with him in just a bit," I said as I slid my purse into a drawer. Then, it hit me. I froze and looked up at Mrs. Farrow. "It's not Curt Davis, is it?"
Her eyebrows pulled together in concern. "Yes, of course. Why?"
I let out a deep breath as I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You have got to be kidding me! Not today of all days!"
A crease formed between her eyes. "Do you know him?"
I nodded as I placed my hands on my hips. "We met in New York."
"Oh. I see!" she said with a knowing smile.
"No. You don't see," I said as I quickly straightened some papers sitting on my desk.
"Ms. Case, he's a potential client," Mrs. Farrow said, claiming my attention. "But there's no harm in seeing where it goes."
"Mrs. Farrow, I really don't want to discuss it." I let out an exasperated breath, wondering how much more I could take. "Please, send him in."
She looked at me for a minute and then walked out.