Page 16

Fifteen

RILEY FOLLOWED GREYSON into the dining hall, though the name was deceiving. This was nothing like the college dining halls that had come to mind when Julie mentioned it. Instead of the typical fluorescent lights and plain walls, chandeliers hung from the beamed cathedral ceiling, and the walls were a rich burgundy. She gazed around at the tables adorned with fine linen tablecloths and formally arranged place settings.

“Welcome,” Julie said, walking over to greet them.

“Thank you.” Riley smiled, scanning the room for Tate. She’d found his picture on Kelly’s Facebook page, though for a boyfriend, his presence on the page was quite lacking.

“Are you two looking for someone?” Julie inquired.

“Our friends Roni and Brad,” Grey said.

“Of course.” Julie smiled—that same Barbie smile every time. “They’re at the far table in the back.” She gestured toward them.

“Thank you.” Riley reached over and took Greyson’s hand. “Come on, honey.”

“Absolutely, luv.”

“Enjoy,” Julie said as they headed for the table.

“The person with them is Tate.” Riley rose on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear.

He gave a nod, his fingers caressing hers.

She allowed her lips to smile at the tenderness of his touch. Playing a couple was proving to be more fun and more dangerous than she’d imagined, and they’d just begun.

“Allie and Noah.” Roni waved them over.

“Hi there.” Riley gave Roni a hug while Greyson shook Brad’s hand.

“So glad you could join us. And this is Tate Matthews.” Roni gestured to him. Curly brown hair, matching brown eyes, and a slim smile.

“Nice to meet you,” Riley said as Greyson pulled out her chair and scooted her in.

Tate nodded in reply.

Why did she have the feeling this was going to be a tough interview?

“So, Tate, what do you do?” Greyson asked as their meals were served.

“I’m an accountant. How about you two?” He pushed his hashbrowns around with his fork.

“I’m a lawyer,” Greyson said, “and Allie is a reporter.”

“Reporter, really?”

“Yes.”

“For a newspaper?”

“A small one. We primarily cover community events. That sort of thing.” She shrugged.

“I see. So I should be careful what I say.” Tate laughed.

“Aww, I’m not that kind of reporter,” she said before taking a bite.

“Good to know.” Tate smiled.

“I take it you’re not a fan of reporters,” Greyson said.

“Who is?” Tate laughed again.

Roni forced a laugh in reply.

“Roni mentioned you’re Kelly’s boyfriend,” Riley said.

“Yes.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “You know Kelly?”

“Yes. We hang out now and again.”

“Funny. I don’t recall her mentioning an Allie.”

“We’re recent acquaintances.”

“I see,” Tate said before taking a sip of lemonade.

“I was surprised not to find her here. She was so excited when she told me about it.” She took a slow sip of iced tea.

“She left.”

“Left?” She crinkled her nose. “I’m surprised she’d leave mid-retreat.”

“I have to say I agree with you.” Tate set his glass down. “It’s ludicrous to leave a ten-thousand-dollar retreat halfway through, but that’s what she chose to do.”

“Ten thousand dollars?” Riley nearly choked.

“Yes.” His eyes narrowed. “What? Did you get a discount? I asked about specials, and they told me they never offered those.”

“No,” Greyson jumped in. “I paid, so Allie didn’t know how much it cost.” He clasped her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “It was a treat for my love.” He smiled at her, and for an instant it all seemed so real.

“I paid too.” Tate stiffened. “And I really don’t appreciate Kel taking off midway through. Especially after she was the one all gung ho about this place.” The waiter refilled his glass. “She made us take this second trip here and then just took off.”

“Took off where?” She kept her voice calm, even.

“Who knows.” He shrugged. “Kelly has a habit of taking off for weeks at a time on whatever adventure.”

“Really? I didn’t get that vibe from her.”

“Well, like you said, you just met her. I think I know my longtime girlfriend better.”

“Of course.” Riley lifted her napkin and swiped her mouth. “Is that what she said when she left? That she was going on an adventure?”

“You really are a reporter with all the questions, butting in other people’s business.” His jaw tightened. “If you’ll excuse me. I’ve lost my appetite.” He skidded the chair backward and strode away without so much as a good-bye.

Roni inhaled. “Well, that went about how I thought it would.”

“Definitely didn’t cross him off our list,” Riley said.

“If anything, it added him in permanent marker,” Grey said, setting his salad fork down on his plate. Then he dabbed his mouth with the corner of his napkin.

Riley smiled. He fit in well with the proper crowd. Her not so much, but she was okay with that. She leaned closer to Roni. “I do have something I want to ask you.”

“Shoot, dear girl.” Roni took a sip of her mimosa.

Riley eased the key out of her bag. “Did you see Kelly with this?”

“No.” Roni shook her head.

“Are you positive?”

“Positive. But it looks like the keys to the gym lockers here.”

She’d be making a stop there. She turned to Greyson.

“There’s that look again...”

“Everyone,” Julie said, cutting off Riley’s retort. The lady lifted her hands head-level and clapped at them like they were children. “Eyes up here.” She gave a firm smile, reminding Ri more of a school mistress than a retreat director. “Wonderful. Our afternoon activity is going to be just breathtaking. Kevin will be taking you to the nearby Carson National Forest for some refreshing cross-country skiing. The shuttle leaves promptly at one thirty. Please don’t be tardy, or you’ll miss the ride. Now, go enjoy. Kevin will be waiting for you at the shuttle.”

Riley’s gaze flicked over to Alvin, the employee who’d greeted them upon arrival. He stood against the far wall, his legs shoulder-width apart, arms bent, hands behind his rear—military stance. Interesting job choice if he had been military. From solider to spa employ seemed an odd transition. She’d have to dig deeper on the man. His gaze fixed on hers and held. She didn’t look away, and neither did he.

“Shall we go?” Greyson asked, standing and reaching for her seat back.

She turned her attention to him and smiled. “Yes, please.”

Walking from the dining hall, Riley sensed Alvin’s penetrating gaze, and it sent a shiver up her arms.