Seducing the Doctor (At First Sight #4) (6 page)

“But the place I met her was upstate.”

“Maybe she was visiting. She could live in Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or anywhere in the state.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

He groaned. The parameters of the search had expanded. He logged off and grabbed the phone. By Sunday Jules would know. But…he had told Cassie to save Saturday for him.

Allie walked to the door. “Let me know if I can help.” At the door she turned. “You’re next.”

Problem was he wasn’t sure he could deny the prediction.

Chapter Four

On Tuesday Cassie left the office at five thirty. This afternoon she’d been officially made a partner. Tim hadn’t achieved the coveted status. He had picked up the things she’d packed including the gaudy engagement ring. Once again he’d tried to explain his actions in such a manner to place the blame on her. She had ignored his baiting.

Rhonda hadn’t bothered reporting for work. Cassie had been glad to have a pass on that meeting.

Tim’s parting remark had hurt. He and Rhonda were using the plane tickets for Hawaii. Since he had paid for them she couldn’t protest. She had cancelled the hotel reservations she’d made and hadn’t told him. She didn’t care. If he failed to confirm the reservations the problem was his.

Instead of driving to the apartment building she parked in the town lot and paid for several hours. Her first stop was the Peek-A-Boo Boutique for a celebratory purchase. A smug thought warmed her. She was a partner. Tim had just six months to prove himself worthy of one.

Cassie paused outside the shop. She wished she had a friend living close enough to share her victory. Unfortunately all her friends had scattered across the country after graduation from med school and residencies. Her workaholic ways and Tim’s needs had hindered making new friends. She would have to wait for this weekend when her mother and Ben returned from Europe to share her news.

She opened the shop door. Soft music played. A floral scent filled the air. Displays of underwear were artfully arranged throughout the room. Cassie wasn’t sure where to begin.

A blonde woman stood at the counter. She held a sheer white bra and bikini set decorated with sapphire butterflies almost the color of Matt’s eyes.

Cassie paused beside a rack of thongs and bras. She’d never worn one but after the time with Matt she decided a set or two would surprise him.
Not that he needed encouragement.
A soft smile formed. Would he call today? Would there be a message on her answering machine when she reached the apartment?

The blonde turned. “Oh, my god, you’re Cassandra Moore.”

“I am.” Cassie knew the blonde was one of Matt’s sisters. Not just the hair but the eyes told of their relationship. The woman was a softer female version of him.

“You’re one of the Blakefields. Sorry, I don’t remember your name.”

“Allie. What are you doing in town?” A smile speaking of a secret curved her lips.

“I live in the apartment complex on the river.”

“So do I. With my fiancé, Greg. Meg and hers split the time between his apartment here and hers in the city. Did Matt tell you about the wedding?”

“Yours or the one he escaped?”

“Mine.”

“A double ceremony, right?”

“Yes.”

How much did Allie know about the weekend? Cassie was afraid to ask. “He said he hated weddings.”

“He would say that.” Allie joined Cassie at the thong display. “He mentioned meeting you but he was vague about where.”

“Guess he didn’t tell you about the accident.”

“What accident? Where? When?”

“On Saturday during that awful storm. He ran his bike into a deer that turned out to be a pine tree near the cabin where I was staying.”

Allie shook her head. “We warned him about the storm. He said he wouldn’t melt.”

“That part was true.” Cassie found a deep green set. “He was fortunate not to break a bone or two.”

Allie lifted a pale green set with dark green leaves embroidered on the bra. “Try this.” She returned to the search. “Have dinner with me so we can become reacquainted.”

“Wouldn’t I be intruding? I’m sure your fiancé will want you to join him.”

“Not tonight. You’ll save me from eating along. Greg owns Five Cuisines and he works the evening shift.”

“I’ve heard about the restaurant but I’ve never eaten there.” Tony had sneered. If they ever went out to dinner they drove to the city.

Allie lifted a teddy from the hanger. “Join me. I’ll call and see where there’s a table. I have a dozen questions.”

“I may not answer.” Cassie wasn’t sure this was a wise idea but she had questions of her own.

Allie handed her the teddy. “This will look great. With your coloring you’re easy to shop for.”

“Lead on.” Cassie carried her selections to the counter.

By the time they left the shop she had spent several hundred dollars. The owner leaned on the counter. “Great choices. If you want any special effects I have some in the back.”

Cassie nearly asked about edible bikinis but refrained. She didn’t think Matt’s sister needed any ammunition for speculation. She added several scented and flavored oils and lotions to the purchases. She turned to Allie. “You’re a bad influence.”

“You have no idea.”

Cassie walked with Allie to her car and unloaded the packages and added time to the meter. At the restaurant a hostess escorted them to the French Room. Since Allie knew the menu Cassie let her order. During the meal they talked about the past and the present.

A handsome dark haired man brought their dessert. Allie rose and kissed him. “Greg, Cassie Moore’s the woman Matt ran into on Saturday. He also never mentioned running into a tree.”

“He wouldn’t,” Greg said. “Don’t rag him too much.”

“I won’t,” Allie said. “I have other plans.”

“I bet you do.” Greg tapped her nose. “Cassie, good to meet you. Don’t let her lead you into mischief.”

“I won’t.”

Allie grinned. “Not where my plan leads.”

Greg turned away. “Cassie, hope to see you again.”

“You will,” Allie said. “She lives at the apartments.”

After finishing the almond flavored Crème Brûlée they went to the car. At the apartment Allie got out while Cassie parked. When she reached the foyer Allie waited.

“Come in for coffee. I have some questions.” Allie winked. “Also some info on my brother.”

“I can’t stay long. Tomorrow’s my day to make early rounds at the hospital.”

“Matt said you’re a cardiologist. You must know a lot about mending hearts.”

Cassie laughed. “As long as they belong to patients and they have a condition I can treat.”

“Maybe you can fix Matt’s.”

“Not unless he calls.”

Allie opened the door of the ground floor apartment. “He forgot to ask for your number.”

Cassie shook her head. So had she. Did that mean she should call him? She decided to wait a day or two especially since her sister knew where she lived.

Over coffee laced with chocolate liquor Allie weaseled a bit of the story of the dramatic weekend, especially the bit about Tim’s actions.

“Are you looking for revenge?”

Cassie shook her head. “His marriage to Rhonda and having to wait to be named a partner are revenge enough.” She rose. “This has been fun but six AM comes early.”

“Are you free tomorrow evening?”

“On call and I never know when I’ll have to leave.”

“Thursday?”

“Can do. I’m off on Friday.” She looked away so Allie wouldn’t see her expression. Hurt and anger collided. Friday was the day she would have been preparing for Saturday’s wedding.

“Come by at six thirty for drinks. I’ll invite Matt.”

“Sounds good.” Cassie carried her purchases to the elevator. She liked Allie. Would the friendship last when the fling with Matt ended?

* * *

On Wednesday morning Matt dialed Jules’ number. The investigator’s secretary answered and sent the call to his friend. Matt drew a deep breath. “Any news about where Cassandra Moore can be found?”

Jules cleared his throat. “You said you knew where to find her so I stopped looking. You’ll have to wait until her mother arrives. I have pending matters for your dad.”

“That will be too late.”

“Didn’t think there was a rush on buying that house.”

Matt groaned. He wasn’t about to admit his forgetfulness.  “I want to sign with the contractor. He’s antsy. I worry he’ll be booked and the project will fizzle.”

Jules hummed. “What happened on Monday?”

“She wasn’t where I left her. That was upstate. She was staying at a borrowed cabin. Here’s the location." He gave the route numbers and the town. “If you can locate the owner he can tell you where she is.”

Jules chuckled. “Hopefully I’ll have something for you on Friday. I have some new hires to vet.”

Matt paced behind the desk. “Sooner if possible.” He disconnected. Though he wanted the house he wanted Cassie more. One night hadn’t been enough. If he found her would she be glad to see him? He’d promised to call. He’d told her to save Saturday night for him.

Moments later his secretary delivered the proofs for the November issue of Good Livin’. He pushed his worries aside and concentrated on the pages.

Just as he finished Allie burst into his office. Her expression warned him she had another of her matchmaking schemes under way.

“I don’t want to be fixed up with any of your friends.”

She stood with her hands on her hips. “Are you sure?”

“Definitely.”

“Shame. She’s beautiful and just might be your type. We invited her for drinks Thursday evening. Come and stay over. Meg has a guest room.”

He shook his head. “Not interested.”

“Really. You should have seen what she bought at Peek-A-Boo. Lots of greens like her eyes and colors to go with her auburn hair.”

Matt groaned. What trick was she planning? How completely had he described Cassie to her? “Just what are you planning?”

“A reunion. I found her.”

“Who?”

“Cassie Moore. She lives in the same building as Greg and I.”

Matt rolled his eyes. “What’s her number? I need to talk to her about the Smiton property.”

Allie turned to the door. “Is that the only reason?”

“What else could there be.” She poked a finger in his chest. “She’s great. Maybe I’ll invite Jules and Tony.”

“Do what you want.” He hoped he showed disinterest. “Give me her phone number. Maybe I can settle the house sale and avoid drinks.”

“Her number’s unlisted.”

He glared. “Thursday, I’ll be there.”

“Just remember no business discussions.”

“What time?”

“Six thirty.”

She stepped into the hall. “You’re next.”

Matt closed his office door. His grin broadened. He would see Cassie and they would laugh about his forgetfulness. Then they would go to her apartment, spend the night and make love. His imagination spawned a dozen fantasies. Desire filled him.
Not now. Not here.

Was there a way to discover her number? Talking to her might give him a way to ease his frustration. He dialed Jules cell but was directed to leave a message.

His phone rang. The caller wasn’t Jules but the contractor. “Robert, what’s up?”

“Just wondering what you’ve learned about the Smiton house. I’ve had feelers about other jobs.”

“I figure we can start with the inside improvements by late November. Not that long to wait.”

“Great.”

Before hanging up they discussed what they needed to do.

When the call was completed Matt called Jules’ office. The secretary reported her boss was out of touch until the weekend. Matt’s excitement fizzled.

“Have him call me if he checks in.”

“Will do.”

Matt leaned back in his chair. He would see Cassie tomorrow. Tonight he would pack for the overnight stay. He needed to replace the red bikini he’d ruined but he wanted to shop at the store his sisters had mentioned.

He pushed the chair to the desk and reviewed the assignments for the remaining winter and spring issues. Then he worked through a tack of freelance articles and selected several he might use. Thursday evening would come soon. So would he, again and again. He cleared his inbox and desk by noon. He left the office, checked his duffle and started the car. He beat rush hour traffic across the bridge. At the Peek-A-Boo Boutique he glanced in the window and saw several women clustered near the counter. No way would he face a mob scene so he drove to the apartment complex and parked in one of the visitor’s slots. He strode to the foyer and waited for the doorman to let him inside.

At Allie’s, Greg opened the door. “You’re early. Eager to meet our new neighbor. Though you didn’t like being set up.”