COUNTERPOINT
An original romantic serial

From Alina Adams the author of "When a Man Loves a Woman" (DELL 4/00), "Annie's Wild Ride" (AVON 8/98), "Inside Figure Skating" (METROBOOKS 11/00 & 9/99), "Thieves at Heart" (AVON 12/95) and "The Fictitious Marquis" (AVON 6/95)

Available weekly by e-mail from http://www.AlinaAdams.com

Brought to you by:
http://www.KidSave.org
Dedicated to Helping Children All Over the World

CHAPTER 47

      "That was Douglas," Robin hung up the phone. "He said Gabriel came in, asked him if it was true, then just walked out again."
      "That sounds like Gabriel."
      For the past hour, Robin and Victoria had been sitting, more or less shell-shocked, in his hotel room, talking about pretty much everything except the two major revelations of the day. In a way, there was really nothing to say on either subject. And, strangely, the silence proved rather pleasant. For both of them, not having to lie -- or, at least, watch every word that came out of their mouths for fear of slipping and revealing something dangerous, came as a rather nice change. As did not having to glare at each other with real, or even pretend hate. It was a feeling both were reluctant to sacrifice. For any reason, or anyone.
      Unfortunately, after an hour of pretending, the phone rang. Victoria and Robin both jumped, exchanging guilty looks, as if each was asking permission of the other to ignore it. When no such permission came, Robin reluctantly got up to answer the phone. And, hearing Douglas on the other end, finally somehow made the situation real for both of them. They knew they couldn't ignore it any longer.
      Victoria added, "Gabriel likes to think things through before he reacts to them."
      "Unlike me?"
      Victoria knew Robin was fishing for something, but she had no interest in going back to playing games. Not after all the games she -- and he -- had already played, and the messy fallout as a result. "No, he's nothing like you."
      "Which, I'm sure, pleases Douglas to no end."
      She shrugged. "I think there's something to be said for not keeping yourself in such tight control all the time. For allowing yourself to let go, to feel, to be passionate."
      "Is that your nice way of saying you don't hate me for blowing up this afternoon, and letting the proverbial cat -- "
      "I think this was more of a leopard."
      "Out of the bag?" Robin asked. "Do you, Victoria? Do you hate me?"
      "Do you hate me, for letting Nicole play me like the proverbial violin?"
      "I think this was more of a cello," Robin said.
      She smiled at him. "Is that a no?"
      "You first."
      "God, we're both pathetic."
      "Oh, no. Not us. We may be needy and insecure and really bad liars. But, pathetic? Never."
      "I missed you," Victoria said.
      Robin returned her smile. Softly, he asked, "So, love, would it be too presumptuous of me to ask, what comes next?"
      Victoria sighed, "Why do I think that's up to Nicole?"