Second Time Around

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A date. Sure, why not. After all, this is a reason to celebrate.

Emily zipped the crushed-velvet evening dress, then stepped into her black pumps just as the doorbell rang. “I can’t believe I have to go to this reception for Kevin.” She grumbled all the way to the front door. She tried to steel herself for a miserable night. Adding insult to injury, her car had had a flat tire when she’d left the office, and the first person to the rescue happened to be Bob Walker—Dr. Casanova.

She opened the door and met him on the porch. “Hi, Bob. I appreciate the lift.”

“If I’d known a flat tire was all it would take to change your mind…” He smiled suggestively and lifted her hand to kiss it.

Emily pushed him away, amazed that a man with such a brilliant mind could be such a loser. “I don’t want to go through this all evening. I won’t. If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn’t even be going tonight.”

“I wish you’d change your mind, Emily. All I ask for is a few minutes to explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain. I’m well aware of the facts of life. I think that was covered in basic premed, wasn’t it? Maybe you missed that year.”

“It was nothing,” he began, following her to his car.

Emily opened her own door, ignoring his attempts to act like a gentleman. “One receptionist may have been nothing, the second one—”

“We never went out.”

She dropped herself into a seat that barely cleared the ground. “Because she was married.” Emily looked at him. “You just don’t understand, do you, Bob? That is bordering on harassment.”

“No harm in a little flirting.” He shrugged, ignoring her warning.

She shook her head and closed her door to Bob’s lame explanation. He’d blown any chances of a relationship with her, or any woman in their office. And now Emily was getting a headache, complete with a sudden case of the jitters. The last thing she needed was Bob next to her whining all evening.

Everyone in the clinic would be there to kick off the renovation. It was critical that she and Kevin be on their best behavior. Neither could take a chance of endangering their positions by revealing their past relationship.

Kevin’s employees would be there, as would his silent partner and best friend, Bryan Beaumont. At least she would have Laura to visit with.

When they arrived, Emily walked into the restaurant as quickly as she could to avoid being paired up with Dr. Casanova. She was immediately greeted by Laura.

“Emily, I thought you’d never get here,” Laura exclaimed. “Is this your new boyfriend?”

Emily turned around to see who Laura was referring to, praying it wasn’t Bob. I can’t believe I ever even considered dating him, she thought. “No, he’s not. In fact, if Bob is any indicator of men these days, I’m through looking. Men just can’t be trusted.” She glanced at Laura, realizing she’d stuck her foot in her mouth already. “Oh, I know Bryan’s different.”

Laura smiled. “Yes, he is. But he isn’t the only trustworthy man alive, you know.”

There was a dreadfully long silence before Emily explained the situation with her car, ignoring Laura’s comment altogether. She didn’t need to expose her jaded opinions of men to a woman who’d found another wonderful husband after the death of her first husband. Just because all the men in my life walk out when I need them most doesn’t mean a thing, I’m sure. Who needs them, anyway? “Would you and Bryan be able to give me a lift home?”

“I’m sure Bryan wouldn’t mind. Let’s go find him. Kevin was introducing him to some of your partners. I went to the ladies’ room and haven’t caught back up with him.”

“Laura, I’d rather not…”

Laura touched Emily’s arm sympathetically. “Kevin brought a date, so there’s no reason to feel awkward. She’s actually pretty nice.”

A date? Why was she surprised? There was no reason Kevin shouldn’t bring someone. In fact, she should be thrilled. What better way to avoid him?

They made their way through the crowd and to the hors d’oeuvres, finally finding Bryan at a table near the front of the room. Laura invited Emily to sit with her, which Emily was glad to do, until she realized Kevin and his date were seated at the same table. She glanced around, quickly realizing that most everyone had quit mingling—she had a choice between Bob’s table, or Kevin’s.

Friends had informed her that Kevin had started dating soon after their breakup. That knowledge was unsettling, especially now that she was sitting across from him and his gorgeous girlfriend. Laura was right: Kristen seemed amazingly likable. If nothing else, Emily would love watching Kevin squirm.

Emily sat down, and was soon listening as Kristen explained her work as an interior decorator, though her attention drifted to Kevin and Bryan joking together. Emily remembered with fondness their friendly banter. Ignoring the emotion building inside, she distracted herself from admiring how handsome Kevin looked in a suit and tie. The khaki blazer and baby-blue shirt accentuated the color of his eyes and complimented his curly golden hair.

She turned toward the raucous sound of laughter and the clinking of silverware against china across the room. Toasts were made to a successful project. Platters of shrimp scampi emerged from the kitchen. She and Kevin exchanged a glance. Déjà vu. Unexpectedly, the years between disappeared, and Emily found it impossible not to return Kevin’s disarming smile.

Emily heard a pager beeping, and to her relief noticed Bob leaving the party.

Laura quickly jumped up and headed toward the ladies’ room. Bryan quietly asked Emily to check on her, explaining that his wife had been battling the flu for a couple of weeks. Emily wanted to laugh, surprised at the naiveté of this father of four. Taking into consideration that his wife had left their marriage before telling him she was expecting, she simply patted his shoulder and followed Laura.

She went into the ladies’ room, and wasn’t surprised to find the newlywed blotting her face with a cold paper towel.

Laura looked up, a wan hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. “Are you here as a friend, or a doctor?” Laura took a mouthful of water, swished it through her mouth and spit it out.

“I’m not sure which you need more right now.” Smiling, Emily stepped closer to the trim woman and felt her forehead. “No fever. Your husband seems to think you need a doctor. He hasn’t a clue what’s wrong, does he?”

Laura shook her head. She leaned her elbows on the edge of the sink. “He’s had so much to adjust to. And contrary to what you think, we weren’t trying yet. He wanted to wait a few more months,” she mumbled through the soggy paper towel.

Emily let out a long sigh, struggling between her instincts as a doctor to agree with Bryan and the brief jealous longing of a woman. “Have you taken a test?”

“Who needs one? This is my fourth, Emily. The flu doesn’t last two weeks. Besides, the office doesn’t usually want to see a patient until they’re ten weeks, right? I wanted to wait another week or two to tell Bryan. I don’t want to worry him.” Laura took a deep breath and exhaled.

“With your recent history, it wouldn’t hurt to come in earlier, Laura—make sure everything’s settled in the right place.” Emily suggested Laura sit down in the soft chair in the corner for a few minutes before going back to the party.

Laura stood up straight and smoothed the front of her column dress, then brushed her hair back into order. She took a compact from her purse and applied some color to her pale cheeks. “That shrimp sounded so good, but when I smelled it…”

Emily could sympathize with a missed dinner.

“I wish I could see the look on Bryan’s face when you tell him,” she said to lighten the mood.

Laura’s face paled again as she looked toward the creaking door behind Emily. “Looks like you may get your wish,” she whispered.

Bryan peeked into the ladies’ room and looked around uncomfortably. “Are you okay, honey?”

The concern in his eyes was obvious.

Laura closed the gap between them and hugged her husband, whispering in his ear. His face creased into a heartwarming smile. Bryan’s hands were on her waist, and he pulled her closer.

Emily felt like an intruder watching the tender exchange of their kiss. Yet, much as she tried, she couldn’t look away.

Bryan gave his wife one more hug, then held her at arm’s distance and looked into her eyes. “Maybe I’d better take you home.”

Emily interrupted. “I think that’s an excellent idea. I hear jelly beans do wonders for morning sickness, which, by the way, can occur any time of day.”

Laura glanced at Bryan, a guilty look on her face. “I should be fine now. This is Kevin’s big night. You should be here for him.”

Easing his way out of the ladies’ room, Bryan shook his head. “You can’t even stand the smell of the food, Laura. You know how protective Kevin is. He’d insist.”

“You can’t tell him the news now. I don’t want to overshadow his night.”

Bryan thought a moment, then turned to Emily. “Could you explain for us, Em?”

“I’ll tell him that Laura wasn’t feeling well, and I insisted you take her home. He wouldn’t dare argue.”

Laura broke into a wide smile, and exchanged a knowing glance with her husband.

“Don’t get any ideas. Just doing my job.” The two turned to leave, and Emily added, “Bryan, I want to see her on Monday, just to be on the safe side.”

“Consider it done.”

The two left, and Emily felt tears sting her eyes. This is ridiculous. You deal with pregnant women every day, Emily. Why should Laura be any different?

Emily sat down and took a deep breath, willing herself to relax. Other women came and went, and each time Emily claimed she had something in her eye. Finally, she dried the tears, then splashed cool water on her face. She allowed her eyes a few minutes to clear before returning to the table to get her purse and leave.

But the elegant decorations—calla lilies and spires of fresh greenery—had been cleared from the tables, and the guests were already gone. She must have lost track of time.

Kevin and his date were making their way toward her. Kristen released Kevin’s arm when he turned toward Emily. “How is Laura?”

“She wasn’t feeling well, so I insisted Bryan take her home.” Emily looked toward the table for her purse. As if reading her mind, Kevin produced it. His hand looked incredibly tender holding the tiny evening bag, and Emily felt emotion choke her throat. “Thank you.”

His gaze lingered, and Emily’s heart raced despite the knowledge that Kevin’s girlfriend had reclaimed her place beside him. “It seems your ride left already. Let us give you a lift home.”

“No. Thank you, anyway.” She glanced around, observing that the room was now filled with wait staff whisking dishes and linens into the back room. “I’ll call a cab.”

“It’s bad PR to leave a member of the clinic board waiting for an unreliable cab service.” He broke away from Kristen again, and pulled Emily aside. “Not to mention, I want to know what’s really going on, and why you’re upset.”

She glared at him. “Now’s not the time. You have a date.” The last thing she needed tonight was to share her private misery with Kevin.

“I think that’s up to me to decide.” His eyes drilled intimately through her. “Let me get Kristen’s coat.”

“What?” She stared at him in amazement. “When did you become so cultured?” The words slipped from her mouth. So far, they had both been careful not to reveal their past relationship, and she hoped Kristen missed the inference.

“You might be surprised,” he quipped, a teasing glint in his eyes.

When he returned, Kevin helped Kristen with her fake fur coat, then escorted them both to his truck. The awkwardness didn’t end when they all piled into the cab, with Kristen crowded into the middle.

Emily gave Kevin her address and asked if he needed directions. When he turned in the opposite direction, Emily glanced at Kristen. The woman’s resentment was apparent. “Kevin, I need to get home,” Emily insisted.

“I need to call it an early night myself. I’m sure Kristen understands, don’t you?” Kevin’s voice carried a tone that Emily knew all too well. The discussion was over. And from the look on his date’s face, so was their relationship.

Kevin pulled to a stop in front of the woman’s town house. Trapped between them, Kristen looked at Emily, as if it were obvious that she refused to exit the truck from Kevin’s door as she had entered.

“I—I’m sorry, Kristen,” Emily stammered as she got out to let Kristen exit. Kevin walked around the truck to escort his date to the door.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but tell Kevin not to bother calling back until it’s over for good this time.”

Emily stared at the woman, who turned and began walking so fast on her spiked heels that her legs wobbled. Kevin trailed behind, and didn’t seem surprised, moments later, to have the door slammed in his face.

Emily hurried to climb back into the truck before Kevin returned to help her. She hiked the hem of her dress an inch to step up onto the chrome running board, but her foot slipped. From the corner of her eye, she saw Kevin rush forward, too late to catch her before she hit the ground.

Chapter Five

“Emily!” Kevin dropped to his knees beside her. “Are you okay?”

She groaned softly, rubbing the back of her head. “I can’t believe I did that.”

“Well, it’s a first for me, too. Never had a lady hurry just to avoid letting me help her get in. Guess that’ll teach me to take two women home at the same time, huh?”

Emily lay awkwardly on the cold ground trying to explain how she’d fallen, but finally her irritation won. “Oh, forget it,” she said, trying to get up gracefully. “Would you mind helping? Please.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder to hold her still and leaned closer to examine her head. “You sure we should move you?”