The Circle of Friends

XIII - Surprise Visitor-2

He grinned mischievously, amused by her efforts to break loose. Instead of releasing his wife, he pressed his body against hers and kissed Lori passionately. She ceased to struggle and responded eagerly to his advances. Jason paused to catch his breath.

“Would you rather stay home?” he asked in a low voice.

Laughing, Lori was finally able to free her hands and wrapped them around his neck. “No, we can go out!” she cried, equally determined to enjoy a nice dinner.

The club was already busy when they arrived. Jason escorted Lori to the door, his eyes scanning the parking lot. He spied Matt’s Eclipse, but Heather’s car was absent. Taking a deep breath, he mentally prepared himself for the evening.

Once inside, it took a moment to locate their friends. Seven had already gathered and claimed a large round table off to the side. Two seats were open beside Sarah and Lori slid in next to her friend. She felt better knowing she would have moral support this evening.

“Hey there, newlywed!” chirped Sarah.

“Hi,” answered Lori, her eyes falling on her friend’s escort.

Sarah glanced at Matt, who was currently speaking with Steve. She smiled broadly at Lori and casually shrugged her shoulders. Her joy was rather contagious and Lori smiled in return.

Jason returned with their drinks and they chatted with those gathered. Matt asked Sarah for a dance and it apparently was not their first one of the night. Josh and Tina joined them while Chris, Steve and his new girlfriend remained at the table. The moment the couples were gone, Paul joined them and pulled up a chair beside Chris. The young men dominated all conversation until Josh and Tina rejoined the group.

Matt and Sarah were the last to return to the table, exhausted from their efforts on the dance floor. Before she took her seat, Sarah began waving at someone across the room.

“Heather! Over here!” she called loudly.

Lori looked up from her drink. Heather moved toward them, her eyes on Jason. Directly behind her was a tall, dark haired woman, dressed in a very short skirt and sleeveless sequined shirt. She could easily be described as a porcelain beauty with her short hair framing a very pale face. Her thin, shapely body appeared as if it had stepped out of a magazine ad. Lori knew it had to be Rachel.

Jason reached under the table and grabbed her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. His touch calmed Lori and she returned his firm grip.

“Hey!” said Rachel in a sultry voice.

Quickly she moved toward her intended target. Without waiting for Jason to rise from his seat, she threw her arms around his neck. He gently returned her embrace, if only to prevent her from falling into his lap.

“Look at you!” she cried, running her hands through his hair. “My, God! It’s been too long!”

Rachel turned to greet the others. Chris and Steve quickly got to their feet and she hugged each one in turn. Matt did not move from his seat. He simply stared at Rachel, his mouth open in surprise. Regaining his composure, Matt shot Jason a concerned look. Lori held her reaction in check as Sarah’s wide eyes met hers, determined to remain calm. Under the table, Jason gently rubbed her fingers. Without saying a word, he leaned over and kissed Lori’s cheek. She met his eyes, which were full of loving devotion, and felt secure.

Rachel finished her greetings and returned to their side of the table. Chris secured a vacant chair and she planted it firmly beside Jason. With a flourish, she sat in the chair and placed her pocketbook on the table. c*****g her head at Jason, Rachel’s expression appeared almost hungry.

“You look damn good!” she said, placing her hand on his arm.

“So do you,” he replied in a controlled voice.

“Rachel!” cried Chris. “Are you back for good?”

She glanced briefly in his direction. “Just for a week,” she said with regret, her eyes returning to Jason.

Leaning back in his chair, Jason gestured toward his new bride. “Rachel, this is Lori.”

“Yeah, hi,” she said slowly, her eyes coldly scrutinizing Lori.

Apparently Rachel did not see her as much of a threat and quickly returned her gaze to Jason. Chris asked another question and she was momentarily distracted. Before long, she was painting fantastic pictures of her life in New York City. Rachel obviously enjoyed being the center of attention.

While she was busy impressing everyone with her new lifestyle, Jason quietly pulled Lori to her feet. Escorting her onto the dance floor, he protectively placed his arms around her middle.

“I definitely married the right girl,” he whispered in her ear.

Lori’s only reaction was a brief tightening of her hands on his neck. However, she did not feel tense in his arms. They danced in silence for a few minutes before Jason spoke again.

“I’m going to pull her aside, okay?” he said, meeting Lori’s eyes. “I don’t want to embarrass her in front of everyone.”

When the song ended, they returned to the table. The moment they were seated, Rachel suddenly grabbed Jason’s arm.

“Dance with me!” she cried, jumping to her feet.

Jason hesitated. “How about we go talk somewhere private first?” he said quietly as he arose.

“Sure,” said Rachel, slipping her arm through his.

“Hey, if they’re gonna dance,” exclaimed Chris, his eyes on Jason’s wife. “Lori, can I… ?”

“No!” bellowed Jason, turning to face Chris. “No one dances with Lori but me, got that?”

Chris threw up his hands and leaned away from the table, his eyes wide with shock. Rachel regarded Jason with surprise as well. Slowly he turned away from the table, his gaze passing once over those gathered. With Rachel still on his arm, they disappeared into the crowd.

“Lori,” gasped Heather when they were out of sight, “I am so sorry she had to come with me tonight.”

“Hell!” exclaimed Matt, leaning closer. “When did she get into town?”

“Today,” replied Heather. “She wanted to surprise Jason, but I called earlier to warn him.”

Matt shook his head, his gaze falling on Lori. “I don’t know what she’s up to, but I bet Rachel’s gonna be severely disappointed. Don’t you worry about a thing, Lori!”

“I’m not concerned,” Lori replied calmly, taking a sip of her drink.

“Well, Rachel can’t hold a candle to you,” he confidently declared. “Jason made the best choice, trust me!”

Meanwhile, Jason had escorted Rachel to a small corner table far away from the group. He sat across from his former girlfriend, eager to maintain some distance between them. Leaning his elbows on the table, Jason sighed.

“Oh, Jason!” she cried, grabbing his hand. “It’s so good to see you! I’ve missed you so much. Forgive me for not coming back sooner?”

“Yeah, sure,” Jason casually replied.

He eyed her carefully and she eagerly returned his gaze. Jason wondered if Rachel had really changed that much in just two years or if the transformation resided solely within him. Her overbearing nature was a sharp contrast to Lori’s gentle disposition. The boldness he once considered confidence now carried an air of vanity. When they were dating, he had enjoyed Rachel’s willingness to flaunt her shapely body, but now her flirtatious behavior annoyed Jason. Underneath all of the glam resided a girl he used to love, but Jason discovered he felt nothing for the stranger sitting across from him.

“Well, I’m here now!” exclaimed Rachel, giving his hand a squeeze. Her expression suddenly turned solemn. “Heather told me you were pretty serious about this girl. Thought I’d better make an appearance before you forgot me!”

“Rachel,” he began, the sorrow in her eyes reminding Jason of the day she had departed for New York. “I’ve never forgotten you, but we agreed not to wait for each other.”

She nodded in agreement. “I know, but…” whispered Rachel, gently touching his cheek with her hand and smiling faintly. “I still care about you. We had some good times together.”

Jason sighed and leaned back in his chair. Rachel was not making this easy. Every decision or action transformed into a challenge when she became involved. Jason thought of Lori anxiously waiting for him to return and decided to delay no longer.

“Rachel, I am very serious about this girl. Enough that,” said Jason, holding out his left hand and displaying the ring on his finger, “I married her.”

Rachel just stared at him. “You what?” she gasped.

“Lori and I got married two weeks ago,” he said softly.

The shock and agony that crossed Rachel’s face made Jason feel terrible. He had avoided telling her of his engagement to Lori on purpose. When she departed for New York, they had promised not to wait for one another. Assuming himself free from obligations, Jason had moved forward with his life. Apparently, Rachel had clung to the hope they would one day reunite and returned to rekindle his affection.

“Rachel, I’m sorry,” said Jason.

She released his hand and brushed a tear from her cheek. “I didn’t even know you were engaged,” said Rachel, her voice just audible over the music. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I got engaged at Christmas. We haven’t spoken since last November,” he reminded her.

“You couldn’t call me? Drop me a note?”

“We hadn’t talked much in the past year, anyway. I figured you’d gone on with your life.”

“My life’s gone on, but I still care for you,” she said, her voice cracking. “I mean, did I not mean anything to you?”

“I will never forget the time we had together, Rachel. It was special. But…”

“How long have you known this girl?”

“I met Lori at the beginning of our senior year. I wasn’t looking for someone, but…” and he paused as the first memory of Lori flashed in his mind. “I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret.”

Rachel slowly shook her head and brushed away another tear. “Are you happy?”

“Yes,” Jason said confidently. “Lori is wonderful. You should get to know her. I think you’d really like her, Rachel.”

She emitted a bark of laughter. “Yeah, right! You were always funny!” she exclaimed. Straightening her shoulders, Rachel dried her face with one hand.

“You gonna be okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she said quickly.

“I’m gonna head back,” said Jason, rising to his feet. “Rachel, you’re more than welcome to visit with us while you’re here. I’m sure everyone would enjoy your company.”

“Even your wife?” she asked sarcastically.

“Lori’s the most loving, forgiving person I know. I’m sure it wouldn’t bother her,” he replied. He gently rubbed her shoulder and she looked up at Jason. “It’s good to see you again. Pull yourself together and join us.”

Leaving Rachel alone, Jason returned to the table. The weight of their conversation had dampened his spirits. He had made no mistake as far as Lori was concerned, but he should have told Rachel he was getting married. It would have been the right thing to do.

Only Matt and Sarah remained at the table with Lori. Everyone looked up expectantly as he sunk into the chair beside her and draped his arm around Lori’s shoulders.

“Everything okay?” asked Matt hesitantly.

Jason shrugged. “Depends on what you’d call okay.”

“She didn’t take it well?” he asked.

“Not really,” Jason said casually, his gaze falling on Lori. Her eyes were bright, but she managed a weak smile, placing a hand on his leg.

“Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand.

Once on the dance floor, he held her so close that Lori gasped for air. Jason eased his hold and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, stroking his hair reassuringly. Jason did not say a word as they danced. All he wanted was a warm embrace from the woman he loved.

He held her close even when the tempo changed and those around them separated. Finally Jason lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. Lori smiled and kissed him. Closing his eyes, he pressed his forehead against hers.