Lacy gasped and turned her back on the woman. Tyler entered the terrace at that moment and wondered what was going on. He noticed there were several people on the terrace who were watching the exchange avidly. He moved to Lacy’s side.
“Tyler!” The blond draped her arms around Tyler’s neck and kissed him thoroughly. Tyler’s surprised was evident as he pushed her from him.
“Lydia! What are you doing here?” he asked in bemusement.
“Why to see you, silly,” Lydia purred. “I returned from Rio two days ago and knew you would be at the Brentwood Reception. Of course I would come to be with my man.”
Lacy wanted to vomit. Her stomach was churning and suddenly her head was pounding. She looked at Tyler in astonishment and hurt. Tyler saw the incredible pain etched on her crestfallen face and he wanted to kick himself—and Lydia too.
“Take me home,” Lacy said numbly.
“I’m sure she can get a taxi; can’t you Lilly,” Lydia said.
“Her name is Lacy and I am taking her home,” Tyler said sharply.
“But I—
“No buts. I’m ta\king her home,” he replied sternly. “You and I will talk later.”
“Of course we will, darling. Come by my place after you’ve gotten rid of her. I’ll be waiting,” Lydia said seductively.
Lacy walked quickly toward the terrace door. Her feet felt sluggish but she forced them to move as rapidly as she could. She was at the coat check collecting her belongings when Tyler caught up to her.
“Lacy, we need to talk,” he said urgently.
She turned on him angrily.
“Just take me home. Now!”
He saw the single tear slip from her eye and his heart broke.

*****

“Lacy, wait!” Tyler called as she ran up the steps of her brownstone apartment building.
The drive to her apartment had been fraught with tension. He had decided not to speak to her as he drove, rather wait until he had arrived at her house. But when he stopped at the curb she had bolted form the car like a frighten deer. He quickly followed and caught up with her as she frantically tried to unlock her door. In her agitation she couldn’t fit the key into the lock and she cried out in frustration. He placed his hand gently over hers.
“Let me, Lacy,” he murmured.
She placed her arm on the door and rested her head on it. Tears streamed down her cheeks. He saw her shaking with pain and cautiously touched her shoulders. She shrugged his hands off of her.
“Don’t touch me!” she wailed.
He slowly lowered his hands and suddenly remembered Allen’s warning: “Lacy is vulnerable and I will not see her hurt.” Had he done the very thing that he swore he wouldn’t do? Damn Lydia!
“Don’t cry, Lacy. Let me come in and explain,” he pleaded.
He turned the key and the lock released. She pushed the door open and stumbled in. Turning, she tried to close the door; he blocked her efforts and took one step into the apartment.
“No! You are not welcomed here,” she cried.
“Let me explain, Lacy,” he begged.
“I don’t need a recitation. The visual was crystal clear,” she snapped.
“Lacy, please.”
“No, Tyler. I’m not strong enough to keep you out of here. But here but honor my wishes and go. Leave me that small amount of dignity,” she whispered miserably.
“Lacy, don’t. It’s not—
“Go. Now!” she yelled.
He sighed heavily.
“Alright. But this isn’t over. I am going to speak with you and you are going to listen,” he said. “The conversation may not happen tonight but it will take place.”
“Leave, Tyler. Just go!”
He stepped back into the hall and the door slammed shut. He heard the dead bolt click into place. He then heard a door quietly closing. A nosey neighbor must have overheard their argument. He groaned as he ran his hand through his thick blond hair in frustration. He was tempted to sit in front of her door all night until she agreed to talk to him. That would give the neighbors something to talk about; but that would only make things worse. How could this have happened? Everything was going so well and then….and then Lydia. He could strangle her without an ounce of remorse. The two of them had been over for nearly a year. The relationship had fizzled when he recognized that she was a scheming opportunist. He had ended things and she had gone abroad. Why had Lydia come back acting as though they were still a couple? Nothing could be farther from the truth. He looked longingly at Lacy’s door and contemplated banging on it until she answered. But that would arouse her inquisitive neighbors and Lacy would hate him for exposing her private life. He swung away from her door and slammed out of the building. He needed to calm down and figure the best way of resolving this mess. He got into his car and drove home.