NRoberts - G2 Black Rose

 “Caught the show,” he said casually, and slipped his hand over hers. “I thought the female lead was exceptional.”

 “Thank you.”

 “You okay?”

 “Probably, but I wouldn’t mind some air.”

 He led her out on the terrace. “Very slick,” he said.

 “Very impromptu,” she corrected, and now, after it was done, her stomach began to jump. “But there he was, just dying to nip at me and posture around, and there they were, those pitiful, annoying women. The bonus being Cissy’s presence, too. That little play will be making the rounds, word-for-word, in a New-York minute.”

 On cue, there was the sound of raised female voices from inside the ballroom, an abrupt crash, hysterical sobbing.

 “Want to go in for the second act?”

 “No, I don’t. I think you should ask me to dance, right here.”

 “Then I will.” He slipped his arms around her. “Beautiful night,” he said while the scene played out through the open doors behind them.

 “It really is.” With a long sigh, she laid her head on his shoulder and felt all those sharp edges smooth out. “Just smell that wisteria. I want to thank you for not riding to my rescue back there.”

 “I nearly did.” He brushed his lips over her hair. “But then, I thought you had it so completely under control, and I was enjoying my front-row seat.”

 “Lord, listen to that woman wail. Doesn’t she have any pride? I’m afraid Bryce had one thing right. She is stupid, bless her heart. Dim as an underground cave on a moonless night.”

 “Dad!” Josh charged through the doorway. “You’vegot to come see this.”

 Mitch just continued to circle Roz on the terrace, though the music had long stopped, giving way to shouts and scuffling feet.

 “Busy here,” he replied.

 “But Shelby’s dad just clocked this guy. Punched himout . And this woman ripped into him—the other guy, not Shelby’s dad. It’s all about teeth and nails. You’re missing it.”

 “Go on back, you can give us the play-by-play later. I’m going to be busy kissing Roz for a while.”

 “Man. I’ve got to come to country clubs more often.” With that, Josh rushed back inside.

 And Mitch lowered his mouth to Roz’s.

 SHE NEEDED TOrelax. She’d handled herself, Roz thought as she replaced her jewelry in its case, and she believed that what she’d been able to do had finally pried the monkey of a vindictive ex-husband off her back.

 But the cost had been yet another public scene.

 She was tired of them, tired of having her dirty linen flapped around for avid eyes to see. And she’d have to get over it.

 She undressed, slipped into her warm flannel robe.

 She was glad they’d been able to leave the club early. Hardly any reason to stay, she thought with a sharp smile. The place had been a glorious mess of overturned tables, spilled food and drink, horrified guests, and scrambling security.

 And would be the talk of the gossip circuit for weeks, as she would be.

 That was fine, that was expected, she told herself as she ran a warm bath. She’d ride it out, then things would get back to as close to normal as they ever did.

 She poured in an extra dose of bubble bath, a lovely indulgence for a midnight soak. When she was done, all relaxed and pink and fragrant, she might just wander down to the library and crook a finger at Mitch.

 Bless him for understanding she needed a little alone time. With a sigh, she slid into the tub, right down to the tips of her ears. A man who recognized a woman’s moods, and accepted them, was a rare find.

 John had, she remembered. Most of the time. They’d been so beautifully in tune, moving in tandem to build a family, enjoying their present and planning their future. Losing him had been like losing an arm.

 Still, she’d coped, and damn well if she said so herself. She’d raised sons she, and John, could be proud of, kept a secure home, honored her traditions, built her own business. Not bad for a widow woman.

 She could laugh at that, but the tension gathered at the base of her neck as she moved to the next phase. Bryce. A foolish, impulsive mistake. And that was all right, everyone was entitled to a few. But this one had done such damage, caused such upheaval. And public speculation and gossip, which in some ways was a bigger score to her pride.

 He’d made her doubt herself so often during their marriage, where she’d always been so confident, so sure. But he had an eroding way about him, slick and sly with all those insistent little rubs under the charm.

 It was a lowering thing to admit she’d been stupid—and over a man.

 But she’d cooked him good and proper tonight, and that made up for a lot of irritation, embarrassment, and pain. He’d served himself up on a goddamn platter, she thought, and she’d stuck the fork in. He was done.

 So good for her. Woo-hoo.

 Now maybe it was time for yet another phase in the Life of Rosalind. Was she ready for that? Ready to take that big, scary step toward a man who loved her just as she was? Nearly fifty, and thinking about love and marriage—for thethird time. Was that just insane?

 Idly she played her toes through the trickle of hot water she’d left running to keep the bath warm.