Elizabeth looked up from her plate.
"That was splendid." Elizabeth said to Lucas.
"It really was. I wonder if the chef is around so I can give my compliments." Lucas said.
Elizabeth smiled and drank from her champagne glass. She closed her eyes to taste the champagne. When she put her cup down and opened her eyes, Jack was sitting there. He was smiling and holding his glass up to her.
Elizabeth shook her head.
"Is everything alright?"
When Elizabeth looked again, Lucas was sitting there.
"I'm sorry Lucas. But I'm not feeling well. I think I'm going to head back to my room and lie down." Elizabeth said.
"Are you sure? Can I get you anything?" Lucas asked.
"No, I'm fine." Elizabeth said excusing herself from the table.
When Elizabeth reached her room, she closed the door quickly. Why was her mind playing tricks on her? Why did she suddenly see Jack? Was it a guilty conscience?
Elizabeth couldn't take being in the hotel room and ran outside. Elizabeth started walking in a random direction.
Not paying attention to anyone she passed, Elizabeth bumped into people.
"Elizabeth?" Said the person she bumped into.
Elizabeth looked up; it was Nathan.
"Nathan?" Elizabeth asked.
"What are you doing here?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth started getting warm in the cheeks.
"I came to Union City to hear a book reading." Elizabeth said. She paused.
"With Lucas." Elizabeth added.
"Overnight?" Nathan asked.
"Yes. I know it doesn't look good for me to go on an overnight trip with a man I'm not married to but it was for a book reading. But that doesn't matter. It was a mistake" Elizabeth said.
Nathan smiled.
"You must be cold, here, put this on." Nathan said putting his coat over Elizabeth. Nathan had his serge underneath.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were in Buxton?" Elizabeth asked.
"I was but then I got detoured to Union City." Nathan said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Why don't you tell me what is really on your mind." Nathan said.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked. How does he always know that something is on her mind.
"If I know Lucas, he probably had the whole thing planned out. The ride, the food, the drinks. But here you are out here." Nathan said.
The two passed a hot chocolate stand. Nathan put two fingers up for hot chocolate. He handed Elizabeth one and paid the vendor for the other one.
"When I was sitting with Lucas, I drank from my champagne glass and when I looked up, it was Jack sitting across from me. And then I looked away and it was Lucas again." Elizabeth said.
"Kind of your like your mind was trying to tell you something." Nathan said.
"I guess. But what?" Elizabeth asked.
"That you wish it was him sitting across from you." Nathan said.
"I do wish it was him. I miss him so much. It was hard leaving little Jack too." Elizabeth said.
"But I get it. Sometimes Allie will be talking and suddenly I'm hearing Colleen talking. It's comforting. It's like a part of my brain wants me to hear her voice again." Nathan said.
"I guess a part of my brain wanted to see Jack again." Elizabeth said.
Nathan walked Elizabeth back to the hotel. Elizabeth gave Nathan his jacket back
"Where are you staying?" Elizabeth asked Nathan.
"An old friend and his wife." Nathan said.
"Sounds nice." Elizabeth said.
"Goodnight Elizabeth." Nathan said and started to turn to walk away.
"I really was here for the book reading. I only went because Lucas had the tickets. If anyone else had tickets and asked, I would have gone with them." Elizabeth said hinting.
Nathan smiled.
"Good to know." Nathan said smiling and walking away.
Elizabeth took a deep breath. Nathan always made her lose her breath.