Denial (19 page)
Aware that everyone was staring at her, Amy gripped the sides of her chair. She knew she should back down and agree to help Celeste out or questions would be asked. Causing a scene or bringing attention to either of them was the last thing she needed, but Amy couldn’t help herself. She looked directly at Celeste and inhaled. “I’m sorry, but I think you should look elsewhere. There’s nothing I can do for you.”
Still holding the piece of toast to his mouth, Josh sat back and gave his wife an incredulous look, clearly unable to believe she was refusing to help his sister.
Amy pushed her chair back, then stood. “If you’ll all excuse me, I’ve got plans to look over for work.”
Without a murmur, everyone watched Amy leave the kitchen
Amy’s stomach grumbled. She had missed breakfast this morning. She wondered what Wendy, the office PA and her friend, was doing for lunch, and decided she would entice her out for something hot and spicy—Thai perhaps.
Amy grinned when the office door opened, and Wendy poked her head around. “Just in time,” she said, gripping the armrests of her chair. “I’m starving. Do you fancy going out for lunch to that new Thai restaurant around the corner?”
Still holding the door, Wendy smiled and said lyrically, “Nope, I don’t
think
so.”
Wendy never refused food, especially hot, spicy food. “What?” Amy replied amazed. “Even if it’s my treat?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I might have to take a rain check.” Wendy moved into the room. “You have a visitor.”
Often Maggie brought the twins to the office for a surprise visit.
Amy looked expectantly toward the door, but, to her astonishment, Celeste appeared, smiling at her.
Amy’s jaw dropped and she stared at Celeste. She blushed. She hadn’t seen Celeste since she left shortly after breakfast yesterday morning. Afterward, a very upset Josh confronted her about her behavior. Eventually, she won him over by saying that with the pressures of work, she didn’t need additional work. She further placated him by promising that she would speak to Celeste and sort things out.
“C…C…Celeste!” Amy stuttered.
Celeste nodded in response. “Amy.”
“It’s…it’s good to see you,” Amy said then swallowed.
Wendy asked Celeste if she would care for any refreshment.
Celeste shook her head. “No. Thanks.” Looking at Amy, she said inquiringly, “Hopefully, I have a lunch date.”
Amy’s color increased. She tried to speak but dried up.
“I’m happy to take a rain check on lunch, Amy,” Wendy said, glancing at her then Celeste. “I’ve got too much to work on now anyway.”
Amy looked at Wendy. Acutely aware that she was picking up on the tension, she forced a smile.
Celeste smiled. “That’s settled then.” She looked at her watch, then at Amy. “I took a chance and booked a table.”
Amy didn’t move.
Amy visibly swallowed before clearing her throat. “Yes. Of course,” she croaked. “Lunch shouldn’t be a problem.” She looked down at her desk. “Can you give me a few minutes to get organized?”
“Yes,” Celeste replied courteously. Looking at Wendy, she asked, “Can I use the restroom?”
Wendy nodded, then left the room with Celeste.
Knees weak, Amy slumped in her chair unable to believe that Celeste had shown up
here
, at her office. Heart thudding at the thought of spending the next hour or two alone with her, she picked up her pen and chewed on it.
Amy thought about pushing Wendy to come with them but that idea made her uncomfortable. Celeste was too unpredictable and Wendy was a natural inquisitor. A few cleverly placed questions and it wouldn’t take her long to figure out what was going on. Anyway, she resolved as she threw down the mangled pen, she and Celeste needed to talk. It was time to find some closure.
Her body, though, had other ideas. Amy’s eyes widened when she recognized the now familiar signals her body sent her whenever Celeste was around. She shifted uncomfortably.
Amy wondered with embarrassment if she was turning into some kind of sex maniac. Frustrated and not wanting to think too hard, she closed her eyes. But, within seconds, she was out of the chair.
Her pulse throbbing painfully, the ache in her groin growing, Amy moved toward the window. Taking deep breaths, she tried to ignore the strong arousal. Looking out, arms folded, she anxiously observed the view, but the ache grew as images invaded her mind of that night in the summerhouse.
Wanting to run for the hills, Amy leaned her forehead against the window and, in quiet desperation, groaned.
“Wow,” Wendy said, entering the room. “Doctor Cameron, I presume?”
Nodding, Amy’s head squeaked as it moved up and down the window.
“I thought so.” Wendy replied, nodding satisfactorily. “You can see the resemblance to Josh.” Holding her hands in front of her, she panted like an eager pup. “Woof. Woof. Woof.”
Lifting her head off the glass, Amy looked at her friend.
“Bet all the guys get a jumbo-sized hard-on when they see her in her whites,” Wendy said enviously. “Out there saving lives in war-torn and dangerous situations.” She spun around. “Here comes Doctor Cameron to the rescue!”
“Wendy,” Amy cut in. “Don’t be daft.”
Wendy’s twenty-a-day habit made her wheeze as she motioned a few karate moves with arms then feet. “C’mon, Amy, she’s an all-action hero.”
Amy pursed her lips. Looking at the door, she whispered. “Wendy! Get a grip.”
Wendy did another karate chop and a high kick, which wasn’t high given her chubby thighs. Yelping, she clutched her backside. “I think I’ve pulled something.”
Grimacing in pain, Wendy teetered dangerously on her heels.
Impatiently, Amy reached out and grabbed her just as she was about to fall over.
Flushed, Wendy straightened. Holding her left buttock, she put a hand on Amy’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she said, trying to catch her breath. “You know how much I love all that crap,” she shook her head, “saving lives, fighting against the odds.”
Smiling briefly, Amy gave her friend a conciliatory nod.
Letting go, Wendy put her hands on her hips and whispered as she eyed the door, “So, what the hell is going on between you two?”
Amy groaned, wishing not for the first time, that Wendy was as attentive to her work as she was regarding other peoples’ business.
“Nothing,” Amy muttered.
“C’mon,” Wendy said impatiently, then turning her head to look at the door, whispered, “It’s evident that you’re seriously pissed at her.” She rubbed her buttock. “A brief teeny-weeny summary will do.”
“Look. We just don’t get on, that’s all,” Amy said. “There’s no major drama. No need to call CNN.”
A hurt expression crossed Wendy’s face.
Amy lowered her eyes and offered, “I just happen not to get on with all of my in-laws.”
Wendy sighed. “Tell me about it, babes,” she said, sounding appeased.
Amy half-smiled. Wendy hugged her then let her go.
“They—husband and in-laws—come as a package, unfortunately,” Wendy said. “They should also tell you that behind every great man there is a whiny-in-your-face-never-to-let-up friggin’ mother-in-law.” She looked at her friend sympathetically and patted her shoulder. “That’s why I’m divorced.” She held up two pudgy fingers. “
Twice!
”
Not wanting a discussion, Amy nodded.
“Is she single?”
Amy blinked. Color crept into her cheeks. “Why do you ask?”
“Well,” Wendy replied, “If she is single and you two kiss and make up,” Amy felt her color deepen, “she’ll no doubt come to our monthly girls-only nights out. Which, as you know,” Wendy said with some pride, “Maggie and I have a one hundred percent record of scoring.” Her mouth turned down. “Well, not so much Maggie anymore. But,” she looked at the door, “if sizzle sister comes along, there’ll be no guarantees.”
Amy stuck out her tongue just as Celeste entered the room.
Embarrassed, Amy went to her desk, picked up her bag, and said rather too cheerfully, “Ready?”
†
Seated in an Italian bistro a few blocks from her office, Amy felt the tension turn up a notch in her body. The thought of eating made her stomach turn.
“Wendy’s quite a character.”
“Yeah, we’re good friends,” Amy replied. “But, when Maggie and Wendy get together, it can be quite the double act.”
Celeste nodded, then looked at Amy. “Thanks for taking the time.”
“You’re welcome,” Amy replied. Her voice slightly high, she cleared her throat. The waiter appeared at their table. She ordered by rote, paying little attention to the menu that she normally enjoyed perusing, as this was one of her favorite places to eat.
Celeste ordered her food and a bottle of red wine.
Once they ordered, silence.
Damn it. Isn’t Celeste going to speak!
To break the silence and to keep the conversation light, Amy asked, “Are you coming to the boys’ birthday party at your folks this weekend?”
Camille had insisted they throw a party for the boys’ birthday, and had spent the last few weeks organizing a fun-packed day.
Celeste’s eyebrow rose. “Are you asking me, Amy?”
Amy’s eyes narrowed. “No, Celeste. I’m simply inquiring.”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
Silence.
Eventually, Amy was forced to ask, “Why are you here?”
Just as Celeste was about to answer the waiter appeared with their bottle of wine. Amy silently tapped her foot and waited impatiently as he carried out the usual ministrations of pouring wine. He waited for Celeste’s approval before filling their wineglasses.
When the waiter left, Celeste spoke. “I’m here because there is a strong attraction between us, Amy. And we need to,” she paused, “address it.”
Blindsided, Amy blinked several times.
Celeste picked up her glass and sipped from it. “I’ve thought of nothing else but what to do since that night in the summerhouse.” She smoothed the white linen around her glass. “I can’t continue to stay away. My family is here and already I’ve stayed away too long.” Looking at Amy, she arched an elegant eyebrow. “We’ve tried to ignore it. But that,” she said, tilting her head, “doesn’t work.”
Amy blushed. Unconsciously, she ran her hand up and down the stem of her glass of wine and listened nervously.
“The only viable option,” Celeste said, watching Amy’s hand. “That I can see is that we burn this attraction out. With a little discretion we can dissipate it safely and no one need ever know.”
Stunned, Amy looked at Celeste in disbelief. “Are you crazy?” she eventually asked in astonishment. “You’re talking as if this is some kind of science project.” Her color deepened. “Discretion…
dissipate
.” She shook her head. “You talk as if having an affair is the answer.” She swallowed hard. “And what do you mean, no one need know?
I’ll know!”
Amy leaned forward, jaw clenched, blue eyes darkening, she added, “Do you really have any idea what you’re asking?”
Suddenly aware of her surroundings, Amy picked up her glass and sipped from it slowly. Carefully she looked around. It was a popular place with busy lunchtime traffic. Thankfully, no one was paying them any attention. Trying to rein in her growing anger, she put her glass down and leaned in. “I don’t want this to go any further.” She looked at Celeste. “You must know I love Josh. That I’m happily married.”
Celeste’s features didn’t move. “Let me clarify, Amy,” she said with an edge to her voice. “I don’t intend that we destroy your marriage.” Her voice softened. “Whether you like it or not, something has happened between us. I wanted to believe that it was no more than a fluke, that it was arbitrary.” Leaning in, she held Amy’s gaze. “It’s definitely not a fluke.” Her voice grew intimate. “I’m attracted to you. And I can’t stop it.” She reached over the table and stroked Amy’s hand. “Or ignore it.”