Denial (5 page)

“Maggie really needs this examined,” he said, tapping his head.

“Well,” Amy replied wryly. “I’m afraid that’s not the area being poked at every other week.”

Josh laughed then shook his head. “Who’s she’s got on the slab now.”

“Who knows,” Amy said. “I only ever meet them on their way out the door.”

Josh frowned. “I really don’t like her bringing strangers back here.”

Amy nodded, knowing no matter how much he nagged Maggie she’d ignore him. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. Now let’s get back to Celeste.” Amy pushed her blonde hair behind her ears, and leaning close, focused on him.

“God,” Josh said, looking at her intently. “You have the most beautiful blue eyes. Do you know that?”

“So you keep telling me,” Amy said then smiled. “Did Celeste join MSF to get away from Nick?”

Josh stared at Amy appreciatively then licked his lips. “God, you really are beautiful.”

Amy clicked her fingers. “Stay with me, Josh.”

“I can’t wait to marry you,” he said. Pulling her close, he kissed her.

“Josh,” Amy muffled against his lips when he tried to deepen the kiss. “Spill the beans,” she said pulling away.

“She didn’t join MSF right away,” Josh answered. “She worked in Paris first. And no, before you ask, I don’t think my sister would run away from anything, particularly Nick.” He picked up the remote. “Look, it’s simple, Mom being French and Dad being Scottish meant we always had to split our time between both countries whenever we visited family over there.” He ruffled her hair. “Celeste has an affinity with France, and I’ve got more of a liking for Scotland because that’s where gorgeous blonde lassies hang out.”

Amy grinned. “More.”

“When we were young,” he continued, indulging her, “Dad used to take us to visit Mom’s family in Paris then his in Scotland, but when we got older, Celeste wanted to spend all her time in Paris. She loved my old battle-ax of a grand-mère.”

“Didn’t you like her?” Amy asked in surprise.

“She was okay,” he answered, frowning. “But, she didn’t like Dad.” He looked at her. “She thought Mom had married beneath her.”

Amy looked at him in surprise. This was the first time he had ever shared this with her.

“You know…working-class, upper-class stuff. The shit the older generation likes to cling to.” Josh shook his head. “No matter how hard Dad tried, she couldn’t overlook where he came from.”

Amy smiled, and thought it romantic the way his parents had met. She remembered Camille telling her that when she was young, she had danced with the Royal Ballet, and Josh’s father worked construction. They fell in love, and had been together since. They moved to Sarasota when his father got an opportunity to setup his own construction company with an uncle who lived there.

“My grand-mère had money, and when she died, she left a big chunk of it to Celeste, including a house in France.”

“She didn’t leave you anything?”

Sadness flickered over his eyes. “Nope. Apparently, I reminded her too much of Dad.” He shrugged. “She was a character.” He looked at Amy. “My sis was the apple of her eye.” His finger hovered over the play button. “Enough yet?”

“Why did Celeste join MSF?”

Josh sighed then moved his finger away from the play button. “I don’t think it’s anything overly complicated, Amy,” he replied. “I think she joined because she has a strong sense of obligation. I mean you have to care to go where she goes right?” He threw more sweets into his mouth.

Amy nodded. “But it’s an international organization. She didn’t have to be based in France.”

“Yeah, well. Whatever.”

“You’ve never asked have you?” Amy said, looking at him with disbelief. “You’ve never asked your sister why she stays so far away.”

“Amy,” Josh replied with forced patience. “Like I said, we spent a lot of our time over there. It didn’t seem a big deal that she would want to live there. The same way it wasn’t a big deal that I wanted to finish my studies in Scotland.”

“Oh,” Amy said, realizing the logic.

Josh quirked an eyebrow then pressed the play button. When the film started, he pulled her close.

Amy snuggled into him. Her mind drifted and her thoughts turned to Celeste. Color stained her cheeks when she remembered how long the nape of her neck had tingled after she had tucked in her label.

Chapter 7

Irene, the designated driver for the evening, stopped her car outside Amy’s apartment block. Amy opened the car’s back door and, after a few moments staggered out, followed by Celeste.

“Thanks for driving us back,” Celeste said as she leaned into the open window at the passenger side.

Amy pushed her head into the car window beside Celeste and slurred, “Shanks for the lift, Irene.” She hiccupped. “Are you sure you don’t want to come in for a wee drink?”

Celeste watched Irene’s eyes narrow. At the barbeque last week, she noticed Irene flinched whenever Amy used her first name. She wondered if this appellation was something new.

“No sweetheart,” Irene replied. “You better get to bed. You’ve got an early start in the morning.” She hesitated then put the car in park, got out, and made her way around to hug Amy goodnight.

Irene and Bruce had been friends with Celeste’s parents for years, but until Josh started dating Amy, Celeste had no idea that Irene had an older daughter. When she queried her mother about Irene’s relationship with Amy, she was told it was too painful for Irene to discuss. Apparently, the divorce was so acrimonious, that Amy’s father tried everything to keep Irene out of her daughter’s life.

Celeste watched them. She had always liked Irene. In many ways she reminded her of her father, both carried the Scottish trait of speaking their mind, and both were industrious and hard-working.

Looking at them, Celeste thought it was hard to believe there was enough of an age gap. Irene didn’t look old enough to have a twenty-four-year-old daughter.

Celeste eyed Amy. She knew only too well her brother had an eye for pretty girls. He had chosen well. She still regretted their first meeting, and hoped her being here tonight helped heal the rift.
 
Last year, at the airport, she had simply been stressed and overtired. Unfortunately, they hadn’t clicked since. Hopefully, after tonight, they would draw a line through their initial meeting.

Amy’s blond hair caught Celeste’s attention, and her thoughts turned sharply to Felice. She still found it hard to believe only a few weeks ago Felice had been happy and alive. Aware her mood was darkening, Celeste focused on Amy. To say she was surprised when her brother said he was getting hitched would be an understatement. Josh was a player, and never one for deep, meaningful relationships. Watching Amy, she easily saw the appeal.

Amy pulled out of her mother’s arms. “Okeydokey,” she said with a sloppy smile.

Irene looked at Celeste. “I’m glad you’re here tonight,” she said. She added in a teasing tone, “Did you see the amount of booze her friends put away?”

Celeste’s eyebrow quirked, but she said nothing.

“What a rowdy bunch your pals are,” Irene said, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind Amy’s ear. “They weren’t like that at your graduation in Glasgow, were they?”

“They were.” Amy swayed. “You left before the party really got started, and didn’t get to see them at their best.”

Eyeing her daughter, Irene said, “It looks like the good doctor will need to keep an eye on you. I saw you drinking shots with your little helpers.”

Amy shook her head and protested, “I’ve only had a few—”

“A few too many,” Irene interrupted, filling the role of an overprotective mother nicely.

Amy frowned and began working out with her fingers how many drinks she’d had.

Irene raised her brow when Amy’s tongue peeked out.

“It’s a pity Sophie pulled out of the arrangement tonight,” Irene said to Celeste. She watched Amy’s tongue stick out further when she moved to the other hand.

Not wanting to elaborate that Sophie pulled out of the arrangement once she realized it would be a crowd of heckling girls, Celeste nodded and smiled at Irene.

Amy held eight fingers up. “Six!” she exclaimed triumphantly then hiccupped.

Celeste tried not to laugh.

“Where is that overbearing cousin of yours when you need her?” Irene asked, eyeing her daughter.

Amy dropped her hands. Looking down, she shuffled her feet.

Irene moved closer. Lifting Amy’s chin she said gently, “Nowhere to be seen that’s where.”

Amy pulled her chin away. Straightening her shoulders, she looked defiantly at her mother. “I wish you two would sort this feud out.”

Pain flashed across Irene’s eyes. “Remember to give me a call before you catch your flight tomorrow,” she said, hugging Amy again.
 
“I know you’re only going for a week, but you know the girls will be peeved if they miss saying goodbye to their big sister.” She released Amy then tenderly smoothed the hair and took her face in her hands. “Because they adore and love you very much.”

Nodding her head vigorously Amy said, “I’ll call them.”

“Promise?” Irene replied, fixing the dress strap that had fallen loose from Amy’s tanned shoulders.

“I promise,” Amy replied then grinned. “What’s the mating call of a blonde?”

“What?” Irene said in confusion.

“What’s the mating call of a blonde?” Amy repeated.

“Eh…I don’t know,” Irene answered, staring at her daughter.

“I’m sooo drunk!” Amy said then laughed heartily. She stopped suddenly when she realized she was the only laughing. “Don’t you get it?” she asked incredulously.

“Of course, sweetie,” Irene said soothingly. Covertly, she winked at Celeste.

Amy looked at Celeste. “What’s a redhead’s mating call?”

Celeste tilted her head, “I don’t know,” she said with confused amusement.

“Has the blonde gone yet?” Amy said then grinned.

Charmed by Amy’s lame jokes and easy humor, Celeste laughed.
 

“Maggie is going to love that one,” Amy said, eyes twinkling.

Rubbing her daughter’s bare arms, Irene reminded Amy, “You have a lot to do before you start your break tomorrow.” To herself, she muttered, “Let’s hope that cousin of yours makes it home tonight, and doesn’t cause you to miss your flight.” Irene turned to Celeste. “Please make sure she gets to bed soon,” she said. “When she was a wee girl, I could never get her to sleep when something exciting was planned.”

Irene kissed Amy’s cheek then made her way to the car.

“Goodnight Celeste,” Irene said, opening the car door. Deep love filled her face as she looked at Amy. “Goodnight, jellybean.”

†

Amy rolled her eyes as her mother drove away. Sometimes, Irene completely exasperated her. Unlike Josh’s mother, Irene insisted on joining them. She realized it shouldn’t have been a surprise, since she always liked being kept in the loop. When Amy told her that friends were visiting, she wanted to know every last detail about each of the girls.
 

“Jellybean?” Celeste asked teasingly.

Amy swayed a little.

“Why jellybean?”

Amy ran her fingers through her loose hair, ruffled it and tried to remember. She pouted then grinned. “It was my favorite sweetie as a kid.”

Celeste smiled. Turning toward the apartment block, she asked, “Ready?”

Amy nodded and together they walked the short distance.

Outside the door, Amy dug into her shoulder bag and rummaged for her keys.

Searching, her mind wandered. She’d forgotten how much her girlfriends partied. Amy knew even though they were flying tomorrow, her friends would be out to the very last second.

Thankfully, with a lot of persuasion, Amy managed to cut the night short, explaining that she had to check-in with a client before leaving, which meant a six o’clock rise. Stifling a yawn, she rummaged more. Feeling a lump of steel in her hand, she energetically pulled it out. “Eureka!”

Waving a metallic hair clasp, Amy staggered then veered to her left.

Celeste grabbed her.

Pleased that Celeste hadn’t changed her plans when Sophie pulled out, Amy fought the urge to hug her and, instead, gave her a big sloppy smile.

Celeste smiled back.

Hiccupping, Amy took a moment to look Celeste
over. With so much going on tonight, she hadn’t really had a chance to focus on anything other than her friends. Amy openly appraised her, liking the tight black sleeveless silk top and how it formed itself to her. Eyes widening, she noticed the matching black silk trousers.

God, how does she always manage to look so damn amazing!

Amy took in the silver necklace resting against Celeste’s tanned throat then the other few pieces of jewelry, all expensive and equally understated.

Oblivious that Celeste was aware of her open appraisal, Amy’s gaze fell to her dark hair, and she studied the way it fell around her shoulders. Slowly, she focused on Celeste’s lips and noticed not for the first time her full mouth. Finally, she gazed into very amused eyes.

Damn!

Sobering, Amy tried to cover her embarrassment by handing Celeste her shoulder bag. “Could you look for the key, I’m not having much luck.”

Celeste retrieved the key quickly. She unlocked the door and stood aside for Amy to enter.

Amy entered the apartment she and Maggie shared, and switched the lights on. It still surprised her Josh hadn’t wanted to move in. Instead, he suggested they wait until they were married. She found it amusing that although he liked a good time—a very good time according to some of his friends—he was, at heart, a traditionalist.

Amy moved through the apartment, kicking off her shoes. She loved this place. It was airy and spacious. If they hadn’t been building a home of their own, Amy would have convinced Josh to live here. Walking into the living room, she asked Celeste if she would like a drink.

“Tequila with ice.”

Heading for the kitchen, Amy called out. “Make yourself at home.”