Chapter 17

The doorbell rang exactly at five. Rebecca walked over and opened it. She thanked the waiter and pushed the cart into the room. She put the food on the table she had already set up and walked down to Larry's office. She knocked. "Dinner is here." She said then walked and back out to the table.

Larry walked out a few minutes later. He sat down at the table with Rebecca. "I'm sorry. It was work."

"It's fine. I know you are busy."

"I wish this project was over."

"It will be at the end of the week."

"Not soon enough for me," Larry said. "This looks wonderful."

"Thanks."

"You did so much today. You really should have rested."

"It was good to keep busy. I needed to keep my mind on something else other than the bad things that are going on," Rebecca said. "Let's eat." She said then started to eat.

"About what you said earlier."

"I was being emotional. Don't think anything about what I said," Rebecca said. "Let's enjoy a quiet dinner."

"All right." Larry said then started eating.

As soon as they got done, Larry's phone rang in the office. He hurried back to his office. Rebecca put the dishes on the cart and went back to her bedroom. She changed into her bathing suit and put clothes on top. She got her camera bag together and walked out. She put her bag on the counter then walked down to Larry's office. "I'm going to take the tray down to the kitchen."

"Hold on." He said into the phone. "I can call someone to do that."

"I don't mind. You're busy." Rebecca said then walked out. She picked up her bag and pushed the cart out the door.

About eight-thirty, Larry walked down to the pool. He stopped by the door next to Duane. "How many laps has she done?"

"I lost count. She seemed pretty upset or angry at something."

"She told me she thinks she's falling in love with me. I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say anything." Larry said as he glimpsed inside. "She played it off as being emotional."

"I see." Duane said. "How do you feel about her?"

"I'm feeling the same way, but I am too afraid to tell her," he said. "It's only been a couple weeks since we met."

"No guts, no glory, boss."

"Yeah, I guess." Larry said as he opened the door. He grabbed a towel and walked over to the pool edge. He stood there until Rebecca came to that side. She saw him then continued to swim another lap. When she came back the second time, she stopped. Larry squatted down.

"Can we talk?"

"I don't want to talk Larry. Don't you have work to do?" Rebecca asked then pushed off again.

"Rebecca please?" He called after her. "I'm not leaving." He watched as she swam to the other side Rebecca stopped and held on to the side of the pool to catch her breath. She looked back and saw Larry still standing there. "I just want to be left alone."

"I'm not doing that," Larry said. "About what you said upstairs before dinner," Larry said. Rebecca pushed against the wall and started swimming. Larry took a deep breath. "I love you, Rebecca." He called. He knew she heard him because she slowed her strokes. He waited at the side of the pool. Rebecca stopped several feet from the edge of the pool. She treaded water. Larry looked at her and took a deep breath. "I love you, Rebecca."

"You're just saying that because I said it."

"No. I was too afraid to admit it before, but yes, I love you," Larry said. "Come on out so we can talk."

"No. I don't want to talk."

"Come on out, then," Larry said. "You must be tired."

"I'm fine."

Larry slipped off his shoes and jumped into the pool. He came up and grabbed Rebecca around the waist. "I love you," he said. "I felt something when I first saw you in the diner. Then when I saw you in the hospital, I knew it was true."

"Are you telling me that it was love at first sight?"

"Yes, I guess I am," Larry said. "It scared me when you said it. I didn't know what to say." Larry pulled her over to the edge of the pool. He held onto the side with one arm and her with the other. "Is this why you are down here doing laps because you didn't think I loved you?"

"It think it was mostly because you didn't say anything and then work called," Rebecca said. "I know you are a workaholic and that your work will always come before me but it hurt when you didn't say anything."

"I'm sorry. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. I love you, Rebecca Chandler," Larry said. "And work won't always come before you. When I first started this project, what could go wrong did. I don't want anything to go wrong until it's done."

"I understand. I just needed to work off some steam. Everything that is going on, just came down on me."

"I wish I could make it easier on you."

"I know you do, but I'm strong. I'm a survivor."

"I know you are. That's probably one thing I love the most about you." Larry said then kissed her. They kissed for several moments.

"I think I'm ready to get out now. My legs are starting to feel like jelly."

Larry took a hold of Rebecca's waist and helped her onto the edge of the pool. He pulled himself out of the pool. He waved an arm to Duane.

Duane came in and helped Larry carry her to the chairs then retrieved some towels for them.

"Thanks, Duane." Larry said as Duane headed to the door.

"Was he watching me the whole time?"

"Yes, I'm afraid he was."

"I didn't even notice," Rebecca said. "Do you swim a lot in your jeans?" Rebecca asked.

"Only when I am around you. You make me do things I don't normally do," Larry said.

"I'm stubborn, I guess."

"That's all right. I don't mind going after you. I love you."

"I love you," Rebecca said. "You should get out of those wet jeans. They will start bothering you soon."

"I don't want to leave you."

"I'm not going anywhere," Rebecca said. "My clothes are in the changing room."

"All right. We'll get them after you rest your legs some," Larry said. "I'll be right back." Larry kissed her and got up. He went over to the door. He opened the door. Duane held out a pair of shorts.

Larry took them. "Thanks Duane."

"No problem, boss. Is Rebecca all right?"

"Yes, she just needs to rest. She over-did her swim. Thanks again." Larry said then walked into the changing room.

Larry returned to Rebecca a few minutes later. "Yes, this is much better."

"You have your staff trained well," Rebecca said.

"And they get paid well for it. How are your legs feeling?"

"They are getting better."

"Good," Larry said.

They sat there for about another half hour before Rebecca felt strong enough to walk. They went over to the changing room and got her clothes and bag out of the locker. They went upstairs.

Rebecca went to her room to get changed. Larry sat down on the couch and turned on the television. He flipped through the channels and stopped on a television show. He put his feet up and laid his head back. Rebecca came out and sat down next to him. Larry put his arm around her and pulled her close. "So, does this mean you want to move in with me or do you want a room downstairs?"

Rebecca looked up at him. "I'll move in with you."

"Great." Larry said then kissed her. "I love you."

"Just remember who said it first."

"I'm sure you won't let me forget," Larry said.

"No, I won't." Rebecca said then kissed him. "Does this mean I can add my touches on this place?"

"You can do whatever you like here."

"Great. I have lots of ideas."

"Should I be worried?"

"No," Rebecca said. "Have you talked to someone about moving my stuff?"

"Yes. They said they can do it at the beginning of the week."

"All right. I guess I can wait for my stuff."

"I'm sure I could make it sooner if you want."

"No, it's fine. Does my landlord know?"

"I asked Brian to tell him and to give him the keys back."

"All right. Is there any news about my car?"

"Not that I know of," Larry said. "Tomorrow I have to go into work early and will probably be late coming home. Don't be upset with me."

"I won't. I have things to keep me busy. I took a couple pictures before my swim and I have other ideas what I want to do," Rebecca said. "After your project, we will have plenty of time together."

"After this project, I won't commit to anything else until your stuff is done. Then we will take a vacation and spend time with each other. How does that sound?"

"That sounds fine to me, but what if the trial take a long time?"

"Then we will wait for vacation," Larry said. "We will have to wait and see what happens."

"Then you wouldn't be working for a long time."

"I said I wouldn't commit to anything. It doesn't mean I can't work. It just wouldn't be on a project."

"Do you want to go to bed? I'm quite tired."

"Yes. I have to get on early start tomorrow." Larry said that shut off the television. They got up, shut off the lights and went to bed.