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I threw back the covers and got up, shaking the crazy out of my brain. Everything in my life had been upended, and now I was thousands of miles from home, having sex with a practical stranger and inventing an entire fantasy-life around him. Maybe I did need some time on Mom’s couch.

As if on cue, my phone flashed her photograph, silently vibrating in the chair where I’d tossed it last night. I’d been avoiding her calls, not wanting to tell her what was happening. But I couldn’t hide forever.

I slid my finger across the face. “Hi, Mom.”

“Melissa, where are you?” Her stern voice was tinged with worry. I was almost sure I knew why.

“I’m with Elaine, Mom, why?”

She exhaled into the receiver. “You’re at the beach? Why didn’t you tell me you were headed this way?”

I bit my lip, choosing my words, still fishing for why she might be calling. “What’s got you so worked up?”

“Sloan called this morning looking for you, and I didn’t know what to tell him.”

My chest clenched. Bingo. “I’m just taking a mental health break. You’re a big advocate of those, right?”

“Do you need to make an appointment? Mayb

e with Robin? I know she could work you in if you’re in town.”

Talking to Mom’s partner was actually a great idea. Dr. Taylor was compassionate and didn’t take sides. Although everyone had already taken sides in my case it seemed.

“I’m actually not in town, Mom. I’m in the desert.”

“What? Where?”

“This spa resort… somewhere. It’s really nice.”

She didn’t answer, and I could tell she wasn’t happy with my evasiveness.

“Look, I’m really trying to get away from everything for a few days, get my head together,” I said. “I’m with Elaine, so I’m fine. Let’s just leave it at that.”

She finally spoke slowly. “I don’t like it. What if something happened? I wouldn’t even know how to find you.”

“You just did,” I sighed. “Please. Trust me?”

I heard her matching my exhale. “When will you be back?”

“We’re only here a week. I’ll be in Baltimore on Monday.”

“Call me when you get there.”

I agreed and hung up, but the image of me back in Maryland was almost too painful to conjure. Every time I tried, all I could see was me walking, shoulders stooped, as if an invisible weight were strapped to them, dragging me down, lower and lower. This trip had been an escape I needed more than even I’d realized. Elaine had seen something I couldn’t see. I was desperate, and it was only getting worse the longer I stayed there.

Being here was like taking a deep breath of fresh air, like standing up straight for the first time in a year. Now I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to return to that old life, even for a day.

I rubbed my forehead and went into the bathroom. But I had to go back, at least to get my things, close up my office… I’d worry about those details when the time came. As it was, I still had three more days, and if I were counting time with Derek, they would be pretty incredible.

I lifted the red bikini off the bathroom hook and swept my hair into a high ponytail. If Elaine was gone all day, I was spending it at the pool.

Chapter 6 – All Sorts of Options

After an entire morning in the desert sun, I was now under the umbrella, sipping a wine spritzer, my plate of raw-food “lunch” devoured. Elaine’s review boards were entirely right about everything at the Cactus Flower Spa. The pool boys were sexy, the massages were divine, and the raw food menu was for the birds. Literally. I was dying for a luscious steak dinner with all the trimmings.

Holding my magazine, I noticed a change in the light and glanced up expecting another visit by my server. I didn’t expect to see Derek, looking fantastic in navy swim shorts and a maroon tee, holding a spa-issued towel. His blue eyes were hidden behind aviator sunglasses, but his dark hair moved easily in the dry breeze. A smile of approval was on his lips, and my entire body lit up like a firecracker.

“Red is definitely your color,” he said in that low voice that made me wish for the nearest family bathroom.