One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) (16 page)

“Doesn’t it ever bother you that you’re not making a difference in the lives of your patients? I mean look around, all you do is cater to the rich. What about poor people? Who helps them? Don’t you ever want to do something more meaningful? Like your father, for instance. His work has changed so many lives.”

“There are other aspects to my work. Sure, there are patients who want a nose job or liposuction. And that’s fine. I’m happy to help someone feel better about themselves.

 “But,” he continued, “there’s also the child whose been burned over ninety percent of her body, and whose life will forever be altered by a tragic accident. Who’ll never be asked to the prom because she looks like her body’s gone through a meat grinder? Whose face and hands are twisted and mangled? The young boy with a cleft palate. Or the child born with a birth defect? They’re society’s outcasts. They just want to make their lives better. I offer them a chance.

“It’s been my experience that sometimes the smallest scar carries the biggest burden. So, to answer your question, no, I don’t aspire to be like my father. I simply try to help my patients in some small way.”

Tears threatened to fill Hope’s eyes as she nervously held her hand over her scar. It was as if he’d gone into her soul and pulled out her innermost thoughts. She’d always felt self-conscious because of the scar.

Raymond gathered Hope in his arms. “I didn’t mean to make you sad. I just needed you to understand my work. It’s important to me that you do.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why is it important that I understand?”

Raymond smiled. His dimples deepened. A playful glint sparked in his eyes. “Truth or dare?” he asked.

“What?” she said thoroughly confused.

“Haven’t you ever played truth or dare?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Okay, truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

“Why did you come here tonight?” he asked.

“I had no choice. Dr. Wescott insisted that I come here tonight to discuss your grandmother’s case.”

“I don’t buy that. You could have gotten out of it and you know it. You don’t seem like the kind of woman that would do something she really didn’t want to.”

Hope went silent. This was getting too complicated.

“Well?” Raymond prompted.

She bit her lower lip. “I already answered the question. It’s your turn. Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

She eyed him slyly. “Why did you ask me to come?”

Raymond smiled. “Because I need you to know me outside the hospital.”

“You use the word
need
a lot. You
need
me to understand your work. You
need
me to know you. Why?”

“You and I are connected. We have been since the very moment we laid eyes on one another. You knew it and so did I. There’s a strong attraction that’s been building between us. And I’d like to do something about it. My turn, truth or dare?”

Hope didn’t want to play the game anymore, but she was still curious. “Dare.”

Raymond smiled. “Kiss me.”

A flurry of images went through Hope’s mind. Kissing Raymond would be like heaven. But she wasn’t sure she could stop with just one kiss.

Stone-faced, she took his hand and slowly leaned in just inches from his mouth. Then she stopped, brought his hand to her lips and kissed the inside of his palm. Raymond smiled. Despite her avoidance, it was definitely worth it.

“Truth or dare,” she asked.

“Dare.”

She looked at him, wanting to follow his lead. But she knew that if she dared him to kiss her, he would. And that would be the beginning of something she wasn’t sure she wanted to start. Suddenly the room seemed smaller and warmer. He was sitting too close and he looked too good. She gazed into his eyes and saw the smoldering look in his eyes. His gaze told her everything she needed to know. He was right. There was an attraction between them. So, she did what any warm-blooded woman would do.

Chapter Twelve

Hope looked around the beautifully decorated restaurant. She’d never been to a traditional Japanese restaurant before. She’d never even eaten Japanese food.

The tables in the restaurant were partitioned using rice-paper Shoji screen room dividers.
Makimono
scrolls adorned with calligraphy using Japanese characters hung from the walls.

The host and staff were dressed in elaborate silk kimonos with obis around their waist. They seem to glide through the restaurant catering to the patrons every request, all the while smiling and bowing gracefully to guests.

When they first entered the restaurant, they passed through an open area where a number of patrons were seated along a long counter being served sushi that was prepared right in front of them. Hope watched as the chef, wearing a tall white toque, press steamed rice onto a thin layer of seaweed. He spread the rice out evenly, adding more when needed, and wetting his hands frequently by dipping his fingers in a small bowl of water.

Once the seaweed was completely covered with rice, the sushi chef patted it down firmly. They he picked up the layer of seaweed and rice and flipped it onto a small bamboo tray. With the rice now on the bottom, he began to add other ingredients. Salmon, eel, sprouts and thin slices of avocado were folded inside. Then the chef carefully rolled the ingredients tightly using bamboo skewers. When he pulled out the skewers, he dipped the sushi roll into a dish of sesame seeds. Then he began cutting the roll diagonally into one-inch pieces.

Hope watched, admiring his skill and precision as the eager patrons seated along the counter waited to sample his culinary work.

Hope and Raymond were eventually led to a private room where they removed their shoes and were escorted through Shoji screen doors. Once they entered they were served a meal of lobster, shrimp and scallops.

Raymond sat silent as Hope sipped her green tea. She smiled over her cup and looked around the private room

“This is a beautiful restaurant. Thank you for bringing me here. I’m glad you accepted my dare.”

“It’s my pleasure. I’m really having a good time.”

“You say that like you didn’t expect to.”

“Well, let’s face it Hope. You and I don’t exactly have a history of getting along. We’re combative, and until now our interactions have been anything but cordial.”

“Well, it
was
all your fault.”

“Actually, I remember you being more openly hostile.”

She smiled. “You barged into my exam room.”

He returned her smile. “You barred me from the ER.”

“With good reason.”

“Ah come on, you make me sound like some kind of ogre.”

“Let’s just say that you make a lousy first impression.” She began to laugh. He joined in.

“I love that you stand up to me.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Exactly, I’m not an ogre.”

“That remains to be seen.”

Raymond sat back and enjoyed the playful repartee. “You’re not all that bad Dr. Adams,” Raymond admitted.

Hope tilted her head and nodded. “You’re not too bad yourself Dr. Gates.”

“I’m glad we can laugh about it now.”

“Me too.”

“Seems we have combustible encounters.”

Hope remained silent. She sipped from her tea again as Raymond began to stare. “What?”

“Nothing,” he replied as he continued staring at her.

“You’re staring at me again, why?”

“Because you’re so beautiful,” he said. “Why else would a man stare a woman unless he’s overwhelmed by her beauty.”

“That is such crap. Does that pick-up line really work for you?”

“First of all, I’m way past pick-up lines. Secondly, I never say anything I don’t mean. And lastly, you are beautiful.”

Her cheeks began to warm. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s true.”

She quickly looked away. Her heart began beating faster as the knot in her stomach tightened.

“I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I was just stating the obvious. You possess a beauty that’s tender and caring. You hide behind this tough exterior hoping no one sees the beauty inside. But I see it. And when I see an attractive woman I say something.”

“Raymond, look, I’m flattered by the attention, but I’m going to have to be up front with you. I don’t like wasting time, yours or mine. This isn’t going to happen.”

“What isn’t?”

“This thing, between you and me…. We’re colleagues. That’s all. As soon as your grandmother is discharged you’ll be gone.”

Raymond smiled. His dimples played havoc with Hope’s stomach. “Are you so sure about that?”

“Yes.”

“What else do you see in your crystal ball?”

Hope laughed.

Raymond watched her face as she laughed. It was a nice face. A face he could love. “You feel it too, don’t you?”

“Let it go Raymond.”

“I don’t think so.” His voice was low and sexy.

“I think we should keep this strictly business,” she said. Her nervousness was obvious.

Raymond reached across the table and grasped Hope’s hand. “Hope, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not a distraction Raymond.”

“I know that.”

“We’re from different worlds, and I learned a long time ago that those two worlds never come together.”

“Looks like I have my work cut out for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going to do everything within my power to prove you wrong.”

Hope watched the determined glint in his eye. She had no doubt that he would as he said would, do everything within his power to prove her wrong. But the problem wasn’t his. “That wasn’t a challenge.”

“I’m very attracted to you.”

“I’m attracted to you too.”

“So what are we going to do about it?”

“Nothing, we’re going to be adults about it and do absolutely nothing. Because you and I are like oil and water, nothing good can come from it.” Raymond was about to rebut when Hope interrupted. “And before you say anything else, let’s change the subject.”

Raymond laughed uncontrollably as their server entered the little room and served their final course.

The conversation for the remainder of the evening was light and easy. Unfortunately, Hope’s insides were in turmoil. She listened to Raymond as he excitedly discussed his foundation and the building that was under construction. She held onto every word as he described a delicate surgery all the while chastising herself and suppressing the increasing desire she felt.

She wanted him. The realization was staggering. She knew that she was attracted to him. She just wasn’t aware of how much.