Part 3

That evening, they ate a pleasant meal in the resort’s dining room. Afterwards, they moved into the lounge. They had the entire room to themselves, most of the other guests chose to patronize the bar located in the basement.

****

Angie walked around the room, looking at pictures of the lodge in different seasons. She kept sneaking peeks at Rollie from the corner of her eye. She was deliberately avoiding Rollie because, over dinner, she sensed something was wrong. He kept trying to start a discussion then he would change the subject. A sick feeling developed in her stomach. Did he want to bring up her nightmares again? Or was it something even more disastrous such as he wanted to tell her he was returning to Australia, was dying on some mysterious illness? She knew they would talk eventually but why didn’t have to be now? Couldn’t they just enjoy what they have for a few days?

****

Meanwhile, Rollie leaned against a column near the doorway to think. He knew once he revealed his feelings to her, there would be no going back. Their relationship would be forever changed. It wasn’t like a movie where they could re-do a scene if someone wasn’t satisfied with the results. Definitely, it was a scary possibility to think about. Is he really willing to risk their friendship to possibly have something more? Or should he remain quiet and preserve what they have together?

Why does he have all these doubts? He hated himself for having them but this is the most important thing he has ever done. The outcome of their conversation could make him the happiest or saddest man on the planet.

Frustrated, Rollie maneuvered her into a chair and sat facing her.

"We need to talk" said Rollie seriously. Without preamble, he continued. "You deserve someone that loves you whole-heartedly."

"I agree."

"Alex’s just not right for you."

"Oh, you’re sure about that." Relief washed over her, he wasn’t telling her he was going away. She wasn’t sure she would like this conversation any better. They agreed to stay out of each other’s personal life.

"Yes, I am," he stated confidently.

"Look Rollie. I liked him. Alex really liked me too but he could tell my heart was elsewhere. He brought it up when I visited him in the hospital. He guessed my heart was set on you. He also told me that he thought you liked me too. I couldn’t bring myself to believe him. To think of that possibility, then have it taken away, I just couldn’t do it. It was better not to think that way at all.

Another time another place, who knows maybe I could have spent the rest of my life with him, quite happily I might add. But not now. He just wasn’t you. I know you don’t return my feelings. And I’m not acting on them. But they are there." Angie forced herself to keep her voice even, which was quite a struggle. She never realized how painful it would be to share such private emotions with anyone.

Rollie reached towards her. He ran a finger down her cheek and rested it under her chin for a brief moment. Then, gently, but firmly, he lifted her chin so her eyes met his.

"I've avoided this issue for a while but I can't do that anymore. I love you, not just like a friend, although that's part of it. I love you like a man love a beautiful, desirable woman."

****

Angie looked at him, questioningly. Her confusion was evident on her face. She was unsure if she heard Rollie correctly. Unsure if she should believe him. Is his just saying this because he doesn't want her to be with Alex? Or does he really feel this way? Why didn't he say anything sooner? She was in shock. Her heart skipped a beat.

"When did you discover this?" she asked suspiciously. "I knew how I felt years ago, I just never said anything because you treated me like a little kid. You never once hinted at any romantic inclinations." She searched his face for the answers but didn't find any for to her specific questions but did see love, desire and respect. Good enough to put many of her fears aside. There would be time later to sort out the rest.

"Shows what you know."

He then leaned closer to her and kissed her passionately. Initially, Angie was a little surprised but quickly became an active participant. Both their heart rates increased and their breathing changed to become rough and ragged. Eventually, they slowly eased apart, looked into each other’s eyes and broke into smiles. They couldn’t believe this was actually happening.

****

They settled back into the couch, and he linked his hand with hers.

"I never told you about that time in the restaurant. I was in the bar, waiting for you and your dad to join me. We were celebrating something that night. I don’t remember what. I do remember sitting there, and watching this beautiful woman walk directly towards me. I remember thinking it was my lucky day. Then I discovered it wasn’t some lovely woman, it was you." Realizing that didn’t come out right, he backpedaled. "Uh, that’s not what I meant. I meant…."
"Rol. that’s OK. I know what you mean. Please continue."

"That encounter really shook me. I mean, before you were always this little kid, then suddenly you were this gorgeous creature, one that I was attracted to. I knew I was in trouble, besides you being underage, you were the daughter of my employer and one of my best friends. That made you off-limits. So, in my mind, I kept you as a little kid so I wouldn’t have to deal with my feelings. Later, when I could have acted on my emotions, I was just so used to thinking of you in that way. I never really realized you were grown-up and might have the same feelings for me. Then, last week, these feeling re-surfaced. I don’t know, I just saw you in a different light. I finally realized exactly who you were." He shrugged, knowing he sounded corny but didn’t know any other words to express himself.

"I wonder what my dad would say," she mused.

"If this was 5 years ago, he would have killed me. Even a year ago, I don’t think he would have approved. Thinking back, we were both still discovering what the world was about and exploring all our options then. Now, I think he would, at least, I hope he would. We’ve both matured enough to be able to have a serious, lifelong commitment. We know what’s involved, and how much work it will be to make our relationship a success. "

****

A while later, back at their caboose, they began another discussion. This one about what they should do when they return home. Subsequently, they agreed not to tell anyone, for now. They wanted to savor their blossoming relationship and get used to the idea first, before everyone back home gave them a hard time. They knew their friends would be supportive but they would also tease them unmercifully.

****

The next day, Angie and Rollie were scheduled to return to New York. Utilizing the satellite link, Angie downloaded her email, as she wanted to read it on the train ride back to the city. She recognized most of them as from friends, business associates and the like. One message marked urgent, and with a subject of her apartment, caught her attention. She didn’t recognize the sender’s name but it came from one of these free email accounts that were so popular and easy to obtain. Curiosity got the better of her so she double-clicked on the icon and the window opened immediately. She started reading.