Unchained Memories (16 page)

Clay felt an emptiness within that didn’t often make itself known. But seeing the two of them turned the generally unnoticeable void into a vacuum. What would it be like to have that kind of connection with a woman?

The doorbell interrupted his musings, and Doris rose to answer it.

A familiar voice floated into the living room and the hairs on the back of Clay’s neck stood at the unwelcome recognition. Mild panic streamed through his system. Had Collins known Charlotte was coming by? Clay shot him a few eye daggers.

But Collins avoided him and stood, walking over to the foyer, a grin on his face. “Charlotte, it’s so good to see you.”

Good to see her? It was one thing to make a general statement about moving on, letting go, quite another to invite their adversary to dinner.

“You look wonderful, dear,” effused Doris. “Come on in. We have another guest tonight, too.”

Charlotte followed Doris into the living room and stopped short. Her face paled, and she took a step backward. Good. She was just as uncomfortable as him.

“Oh. Clay.” Her eyes darted to Collins, plainly searching for the same information Clay had. Did Collins set this up? Or was it a crazy coincidence?

But Clay knew better. Although Collins had never let on—not even an inkling—they were having another guest tonight, Clay had stolen a glance into the dining room during the last few seconds, and there were four place settings. What a slug!

“Hello, Charlotte.” He stood, but didn’t make a move toward her. Shaking her hand seemed preposterous in light of their recent encounters, and a friendly kiss was just not going to happen.

Doris and Collins glanced at each other and some sort of silent communication transpired, but Clay wasn’t about to try to figure it out. He had more pressing problems. Should he make an excuse and leave? Damn. He didn’t have his car. Collins had driven, promising to bring him home later. If Clay had any trailing notion this wasn’t a set up, this latter realization confirmed it.

Things were happening around him, and people were talking and moving, but in his haze of disbelief, he’d missed a question directed at him.

“I’m sorry, Doris, what did you say?”

“I said isn’t it amazing Charlotte came back to this area and settled right here in Princeton?”

Clay nodded. “Amazing.”

Collins handed Charlotte a glass of white wine, and she sat on the sofa and crossed her legs. A black, slim skirt inched up her thigh, showcasing long, slender limbs that went on forever. As if that wasn’t unfair advantage enough, she had unbuttoned her suit jacket. Underneath was a pink silky top that looked dangerously close to an item of lingerie. He took a swig of his beer, then another, but it did nothing to quench the dryness in his mouth.

A buzzer went off in the kitchen. “It’s time to eat. I hope you all like chicken. I tried a new recipe, so keep your fingers crossed.”

“Doris is a great cook,” responded Collins. “You don’t have to worry about a new recipe.

Collins directed Clay to sit across from Charlotte at the dining room table before leaving to help Doris in the kitchen.

Great. The tension in the air was palpable, and Charlotte kept her eyes down, busying herself with her napkin and utensils and whatever else she could find to move on the table in front of her. This was absurd. They’d have to speak to each other sometime during dinner.

Clay decided to take the high road. “Congratulations. You won your case.” Even though his words came through clenched teeth, he assumed they would break the ice.

Charlotte looked up, her blue eyes hinting of surprise. “Thank you.”

“Shouldn’t you be a little happier about your victory?” Trying though he might, he was less than successful in keeping the sarcasm at bay.

“I am.” She valiantly ignored his tone. “My client will now be able to afford the services she needs, and she won’t have to worry about how she’ll pay for them in the future.” Her voice softened. “She’s so young and has so many difficult years ahead of her.” She stopped and bit her lower lip as if cautioning herself to cut the remarks short in present company. “If the lawsuit hadn’t been against Nassau General and...and Matt, it would be a lot easier to talk about this with you.”

Her honesty beamed through the screen he’d erected, letting in more of the light Collins had tried to shine on him during the car ride over here.

He allowed his gaze to focus on expressive eyes that carried the pain she’d just spoken of for her client, for the lawsuit against his friend, and he dared hope, for the stake it had driven between them.

Swallowing the dull ache he’d carried around for the last two months, he searched for the words that could wipe it away. Just as he was about to attempt it, Doris came through the doorway with a huge serving plate, followed by Collins.

“I hope you like sautéed chicken breasts, sliced mushrooms and asparagus in a white wine sauce.” Her sing-song voice broke through their somber conversation and lightened the atmosphere.

The aroma wafted around the dining room and had Clay’s mouth watering. “I just may have to find other excuses to come by for dinner more often,” he said, smiling for the first time since Charlotte had shown up. The air had been dusted, if not cleared, between them. At least enough to be cordial.

The dinner conversation proved him right. There was an easy rapport, a fair amount of teasing and a concerted effort by all to stay away from the subject of work. Anyone’s work.

Until Doris asked Charlotte, “How do you like working at Cooper, Smith?”

A silence fell over the room as if Doris had broken the unwritten rule.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her glimpse zig-zagging around the table. “I wasn’t asking about any specific case.”

Collins gave her a wink to let her off the hook. “So, Charlotte, how do you find working there?”

A smile inched over Charlotte’s lips. “The people are wonderful and it’s a great work environment. I’ve made some good friends and I really like my practice area.” She held up her hand to stave off comment. “But don’t worry, I’m going to ask the head of my department to assign any cases having to do with Nassau General to others in the department. I’m hoping I’ve earned some clout, because of the work I’ve been doing, to allow me this consideration. My ties are too great to the hospital and some of the doctors, given my past.”

The knot in Clay’s stomach finally relaxed. Her statement was almost too good to be true. He dared to look at her. Vibrant blue eyes looked back, assessing his reaction. He couldn’t help the smile starting from within. Yes, it was a baby step, but at least she was headed in the right direction. And maybe they could find themselves back on the same track. Eventually.

Doris filled the silence. “That’s wonderful since we’d love to see you more often. With all of us tied to Nassau General, it would make our gatherings more pleasant. As a matter of fact, I’m the chairwoman of the hospital’s fundraising fair, which is coming up in ten short days. Clay, have you purchased your ticket?”

“Now, honey, you don’t want to badger your guest.” Collins gave Clay an apologetic look.

“I’m not badgering him. I asked him a simple question.” She turned back to Clay. “Because, if you haven’t purchased it yet, you can leave your check with me tonight.”

Collins shook his head, but chuckled. “The tenacity of a good chairwoman. Sorry, Clay, but I guess I can’t help you out of this.”

“That’s okay. I’ve been meaning to buy one. I just haven’t gotten around to it.”

Doris turned to Charlotte. “If you’re free on Saturday, the 21
st
, we’d love to have you come as our guest, wouldn’t we, Richard?”

“Of course.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” A blush rose into Charlotte’s cheeks. “I usually help my sister on Saturdays before I go to work.”

“It goes from noon to seven. Surely you can come over for a little while.” Doris must have honed in on Charlotte’s seeming discomfort over the invitation. “I hope you don’t think you’re not welcome because of the recent lawsuit. Everyone’s welcome. You’d be showing your support for the local hospital. And if someone there doesn’t understand the difference between business and fundraising, then they shouldn’t be in the position they’re in at the hospital.”

Collins concurred. “The suit is over. Besides, you dealt mostly with the insurance companies. I don’t think anyone from the hospital is going to be pointing a finger at you, Charlotte.”

Charlotte lowered her lids and traced her silverware, hesitance over the invitation still apparent, even after Collins’ and Doris’ encouraging words.

“It’s settled,” said Doris, taking control of the situation. “It’s at the park on Washington Street. Come over any time. I’ll leave your ticket at the entrance table. There’s a silent auction in one of the tents, so bring your checkbook. You too, Clay.”

At least that put a grin on Charlotte’s mouth.

Collins’ intervened. “Now that you’ve strong-armed our guests into coming, can we move off the fundraiser, dear?”

Doris gave her husband a stern look before responding sweetly. “Of course, dear.”

“So, Charlotte,” said Collins, “what have you been doing in your free time?”

The question elicited a genuine laugh. “What free time? I’ve been working twelve-hour days, at least six days a week. It’s a good thing I like the people I work with. We’ve been grabbing a quick dinner here and there before returning to the office.”

“Is that how it’s going to be, or was it because you were preparing for trial?” asked Doris.

“Hopefully it will be a little less hectic for a while. I need to do some laundry.”

Clay barely heard the words. He was so focused on her features. Shapely brown eyebrows drew attention to her oval eyes centered above a perfect nose and luscious lips. When she smiled, straight white teeth dazzled, drawing his gaze back to her sparkling blue eyes. Long, chestnut-colored hair framed her face and spilled over her shoulders, so thick and shiny. What he wouldn’t do to be able to slide his fingers in those silky strands.

“Right, Clay?” asked Collins, pulling him away from his observations.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

Collins glared at him quizzically, catching him in the act. “I said I gave you the same advice I’m giving Charlotte. You have to balance work with a social life or you’re going to end up one-dimensional as well as lonely.”

“Oh. Yes.” He nodded. “You did give me that advice.”

“Well, attending the fundraiser is the first step in that direction,” said Doris, rejoining the conversation after clearing the table.

Having made her point, Doris ushered everyone from the table back into the living room for coffee and dessert. The time passed quickly, and Clay had to acknowledge tonight had turned out much better than he had first expected.

He glanced at his watch. “Richard, I hate to break up your dinner party, but I have to get home. I have a six a.m. meeting tomorrow, and need to prepare for it tonight. Would you mind driving me?”

Collins turned to Charlotte. “I’m sure Charlotte can take you home when she’s ready to leave. Right Charlotte?”

Clay didn’t miss the hint of a smile on Collins’ face. Boy, was he going to hear an earful tomorrow.

“N—no, of course not. I need to get home as well.”

Her words belied her true feelings, as she averted her gaze and twisted her fingers in her lap. She definitely did not want to be in the car with Clay.

She stood. “Thank you so much for dinner, Doris, Richard. It was nice to catch up after all these years.” She hugged and kissed them both.

“Let me know if you need more information concerning the fundraiser,” sang Doris. “If not, we’ll see you there.” She was oblivious to Collins’ powerless shrug over her bold solicitation.

“Okay. Thanks.” Charlotte picked up her purse and turned to Clay. “Are you ready?”

He said his good-byes, and they walked to Charlotte’s car in silence.

He needed another icebreaker. “Doris was kind of pushy about the hospital fair. If you don’t want to go, I’m sure you could call her and make up some excuse.”

Charlotte pulled the car away from the curb and headed back toward town. “She was so nice to invite me, I’d feel bad coming up with an excuse. I guess I should bite the bullet and go. I just hope Richard’s right about my anonymity. And maybe Dr. Gallway—and Matt—won’t be there.” She blew out a long breath.

“I’ll protect you.” Now where did that come from? He hoped it sounded more like an accommodation than a date. She was already on edge being alone with him right now. And he wasn’t thrilled Collins had planned this whole thing tonight.

But at least his comment brought out a chuckle. “Thanks. I may need a bodyguard.”

The tension seemed to ease slightly, and the rest of the ride home was spent in small talk. No hot button issues. No arguments.

And when she pulled up in front of his house, no passion.

Chapter Sixteen

The hospital fair was in full swing with hundreds of people milling around Washington Park sampling the food, games, music and community spirit. Perfect summer weather, with temperatures in the mid-seventies, guaranteed a good turnout, and therefore, much needed funds for the hospital.

Charlotte meandered from tent to tent, soaking in the festive atmosphere while wrestling with her hope to avoid Clay, while at the same time praying she’d run into him. The dichotomy of emotions had her skittish as she checked every face within a twenty foot radius, wondering whether she would retreat or attack, if or when she saw him.

Then her eyes met his.

And all thought vaporized as his very sensual stare kept her rooted to the grassy expanse while her brain photographed every nuance of his gorgeous face—the serious set of his square jaw, the intenseness of his smoldering eyes, the minute parting of his lips before they broke into a full-blown smile. Never taking his eyes off her, he sidestepped the crowds mingling between them, sending heat blazing to her cheeks, and a hundred watts of electricity jolting her unsteady heart.

When he found his way to her, he put his hand on her wrist in greeting. “I see you made it.”

The simple statement should not have encouraged her smile to burst from within.