Читать книгу Intrigue Me - Jo Leigh - Страница 11

3

THE ALARM ON Daniel’s cell beeped, reminding him that he had to leave in the next five minutes. Eve had asked him to go with her to El Bohio Lechonera, her favorite local lunch spot, and she didn’t ask often. He would have loved to avoid it, not because of her company but because of what she wanted to talk about.

He finished up the notes on his last patient—around here, he didn’t dare put his paperwork off. Nothing beat a free clinic for sheer volume except for an urban ER.

As he slipped off his lab coat, he thought again about Lisa. He honestly hadn’t expected to see her, and he sure as hell hadn’t expected to have such a strong physical reaction. Good thing his novelty tie provided a distraction from points south.

It had been a long time since he’d felt this kind of take-no-prisoners want. Plenty of women turned him on, but none of them had kept him awake half the night. Not since high school, at least. Though Lisa hadn’t seemed bothered by his abrupt exit from the lounge, he probably ought to give her some sort of explanation. Then ask her out.

Hell, it couldn’t hurt to try. He’d wait until she finished her volunteer stint. Simple. It didn’t have to mean anything or go anywhere. A night or two would do the trick. Then things could go back to normal.

The distinctive click of heels in the hallway signaled Eve’s arrival. She was still on the clock at the Center and most days only came to the clinic the evenings they took appointments. He glanced toward the open doorway and there she was, giving him a very familiar look. The one that said she’d had it up to here.

Too bad. He was fed up, as well. Being his second cousin, Eve had known him since they were kids. She’d been there for him after his mother had run off to France with her art teacher. And he understood Eve had his best interest at heart, but it didn’t give her the right to treat him like a disobedient child. Especially given she was only five years older than him. “Would it change anything if I asked you nicely not to bring up my brother or the Center today?”

Eve continued staring at him with nary a blink. “What do you think?”

“Fine.” He left the shared office as he’d found it and joined her in the hall. “I’m thinking of letting you pay for lunch.”

“Well, don’t bother. You keep that brilliant brain of yours busy with the really important stuff. Like explaining for the hundredth time why antibiotics won’t help a cold.”

He winced, thinking today might be the day they had their little talk. The one where she stopped being so sarcastic about his staying on at the clinic.

“I’ve got a taxi waiting.”

He tapped on the reception desk as they passed, just a quick reminder that he’d be out of the office for an hour. Then he saw Lisa. Her back was to him, but it was enough. Why was he waiting to ask her out? She wasn’t his employee. They barely worked together. There was nothing in the Hippocratic oath that said a doctor couldn’t date a volunteer. Before he even finished the thought, he and Eve had left the clinic for the warm June afternoon and the waiting Yellow cab.

“New volunteer?” Eve asked as soon as they were on their way.

“Yep. Came on board yesterday and Valeria put her to work filing right away. Today they’ve got her doing intake screenings.”

“Wow, she must be a very good screener for you to know her schedule so well. You didn’t say a word to the last recruit I brought in, and she was there an entire week.”

“Relax. She’s only going to be there one more day.”

“I am relaxed. Hey, you’re a grown man. You can do whatever you like with whomever you choose.”

He didn’t hide his frustration when he met her gaze. “Why change now? The last time I had a woman in my life, all you talked about was how it was never going to last.”

“I was right.”

He grunted, unwilling to continue this game. “You’re my cousin, and I love you, but come on, Eve. Knock it off.”

“Fine. I won’t talk about the fact that she must have a powerful reason to volunteer in the Bronx. Altruism is one thing, but a woman like her? Two months after that article in the Times that had your picture on it?”

He shook his head, refusing to be baited. Eve meant well, but sometimes he wasn’t sure if she was looking out for him or was jealous. He really hoped it wasn’t the latter. “I can’t decide between the Pernil con Mofongo and the number one combo.”

“Get the combo. That way you’ll have enough left over for dinner.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Eve gave him an eye roll. “Cut it out. I’m in no mood.”

“I can see lunch is going to be fun.”

“Yes, we’re going to talk about you. And Warren. And all the things you wish I wouldn’t bring up.”

“Yay,” he said. “I can’t wait.”

The taxi pulled over and Daniel paid the driver as Eve went in to try to grab a table. Through some miracle of timing, they had to wait only five minutes for one.

The restaurant smelled like its signature Puerto Rican roast pork, and the casual atmosphere lent itself to loud discussions and laughter. Their orders were taken pronto, and Eve wasted no time getting to the point.

“Warren can’t do anything with the house until you remove your things. And that has nothing to do with you starting at the Center. So just bite the bullet and call him.”

Daniel held back a sigh. Though he doubted he’d have any luck, he decided to go for one more attempt at forestalling a conversation he wasn’t ready for. “You look tired. Out clubbing with the girls again?”

“Thanks a lot, you dick. Two martinis. That’s all I had. And yes, I was out with the girls because I haven’t done anything remotely fun in over a month. Anyway, I know you’re just trying to change the subject, and no, I’m not going there. Warren wants answers, Danny. Is that so hard to understand? You aren’t the only one who lost a father.”

“Whoa,” he said, taken aback. “Going right for the jugular today, huh?”

“This is me, giving you a smack. As much as I love what you’re doing for the clinic, you have other obligations. Unless you plan on spending the rest of your life being an unpaid GP in the Bronx.”

“Of course I don’t. That’s not... I’m...damn it, I’m just not ready to leave yet.”

She winced. “You made a promise. To take your place at the Center.”

“I promised Dad.”

“Warren is still your family, and the Center is still your father’s legacy.”

Daniel flinched and hoped Eve hadn’t seen.

“Unless he told you all bets were off when he died?”

He really had to bite down on that one. Their meals arrived, but the churning in his gut made food the last thing he wanted. “Did Dad mention to you any plans for expansion?” he asked, careful to keep his tone casual.

She looked puzzled. “Well, he knew we’d have to hire additional help once you came on board. More support staff, for one thing, and we talked about finding another neurologist. He said once the three Cassidys were there, the waiting list would double. Is that what you mean?”

“Yeah.” Just what he’d thought. Eve really didn’t know anything about his dad’s grandiose plans. She thought Daniel was being stubborn and childish. He wished he could explain to her why he needed more time, but he couldn’t. Not until he could figure out what to say to Warren.

It didn’t help that he had no idea what his brother was feeling. They were only four years apart, but had completely different temperaments. Warren was more like their dad and the two of them had been really close. Their father had bragged about Daniel, but talked to Warren.

So why hadn’t he wanted Warren to know about his very ambitious plans for a whole new approach to their practice? His death had come so suddenly, and so soon after he’d told Daniel about his ideas that Daniel figured he’d died of a stroke. That he’d probably also suffered some mini strokes, and that was why their last and final conversation had been so unsettling. But it was his heart that had given out, and the autopsy had shown no abnormalities in his brain.

The promise he’d made his father wasn’t only that he’d work at the Madison Avenue Neurological Center. Discovering his father’s true colors had shaken him to the core. He didn’t want to walk into his new life until he completely understood what he wanted his life to be. What the hell was he supposed to tell Warren? Nothing? Should he just pretend the conversation with his father had never happened?

Maybe. But Daniel sure as hell wouldn’t forget it. He looked at Eve again. “Dad encouraged me to take some time off after I finished my fellowship.”

Eve’s mouth opened but it took a few seconds for her to ask, “When?”

“A few days before he died. I’d just finished at Mount Sinai.”

“During that private dinner meeting he had with you?”

“Yes.” Daniel knew she expected him to elaborate. Wouldn’t happen. Eve had been the office manager for sixteen years. She’d started right after graduating from Cornell and no one could have run the busy practice more smoothly. He shouldn’t be surprised she’d found out about the dinner. She just didn’t know what had been discussed, and it was clear she was hurt by his silence.

“He never mentioned the time off to me,” she said, then took a quick sip. “However, I really doubt he meant for you to take three months.”

“I’m not ready yet, all right? And for what it’s worth, he told me to take whatever time I needed. I wish things were different. But please know I’m not being frivolous. There’s a lot at stake here.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand your hesitation. All you ever wanted was to become a neurologist. To be like him. You don’t need to be dealing with stuffy noses and syphilis. You’ve got a gift, Daniel, and you’re wasting your talent.”

He exhaled as he shook his head and picked up his fork, although he doubted he’d use it. “You know she’s having an affair, right?”

Eve blinked at his non sequitur. “Warren’s wife? Yes. And so does he. What difference does that make to your commitment?”

“None. None whatsoever.” He took a big enough bite to put an end to the discussion. He knew exactly what he was supposed to do. Help Warren with their father’s house, with the trust and the business that was now technically half his. But nothing about that plan was simple anymore.

A minute of silence went by before he pointed his fork at Eve. “Warren stayed home from work for a week after Dad’s death. One week. Then it was back to business as usual. He knows I need some time to think things through, but all he cares about is the Center. He could quit tomorrow and have more than enough money to live out his life in luxury. Maybe with his wife, if he even gives a damn about her anymore. But at this rate, with the hours he’s keeping, he won’t make it past sixty-four, either.”

“People mourn in different ways,” Eve said, her voice gone soft and sad.

“Exactly. The doctors on staff right now can handle the current patients. I don’t care how important they are. The only reason Warren wants me there is because he doesn’t think it looks good that I’m working at a free clinic.”

“You’re not being fair. You know Dr. Elliot planned to retire as soon as you came on board. In view of your dad’s passing, he’s stayed to help out.”

“I think Dad was right. We should consider hiring another neurologist soon.”

“Daniel—”

“Look, I know you want what’s best for the business and for me. I’m just not sure following in Dad’s footsteps is what I want.”

Eve couldn’t have looked more shocked. She’d worshiped Dr. Randall Cassidy just as Daniel had. But she nodded and gave him a tight smile. “All I’m asking is for you to talk to Warren. Tell him what you’ve told me.”

Daniel shoved aside his plate. “I already have. He just doesn’t want to listen.”

* * *

AT LUNCH, LISA GRABBED a six-inch veggie from Subway on her way to the thrift store. There she found a great blue-and-white-striped sweater and a pair of jeans she liked better than her old favorites. There were shoes for sale, but she drew the line at wearing anything that once held a stranger’s foot.

She got back to the clinic with a couple of minutes to spare, so she reapplied her lipstick, stuffed her purse and other clothes in a locker and then checked her phone for messages. She didn’t have any, which wasn’t unusual these days. After all, she’d cut herself off from virtually everyone who’d been a part of her old life.

Mostly her communications were from Logan or Mike, the investigator who worked with them. Once a week her mom texted. That was, when she and Dad weren’t playing in a golf tournament, their latest passion since retiring to South Carolina. Lisa tried to phone them every other Sunday. Their conversations were always brief. They still felt bad about what had happened to her and never knew what to say. Frankly, there was nothing to be said.

As the day progressed, it became clear her change of clothes had paid off. The patient intakes went more smoothly. Sadly, she’d seen Daniel only twice despite staying until six, an hour after they stopped accepting new patients.

She did, however, meet Eve again. Lisa got the impression Eve didn’t like her very much. But then, Lisa had only one day left at the clinic, unless she decided to extend her commitment. Which largely depended on what happened with Daniel.

Okay, that made her sound like a lousy excuse for a human being. The clinic needed the help, regardless of her sex life, or lack thereof.

But before she agreed to anything else she’d have to go over the schedule with Valeria. Lisa couldn’t let volunteering interfere with her job. It wasn’t fair to Logan. And if she wanted to be a truly good person, she’d forget about Daniel altogether. A short steamy fling with him would mean she couldn’t return to the clinic as a volunteer.

Not that it appeared as though she’d have to choose. Maybe Eve had said something to him and now he was avoiding her. Dispirited, Lisa went to the lockers and got her purse. When she turned to leave, Daniel was standing just a few feet away.

“Hello again,” he said.

“Hi.” She paused to dial down the excited pitch of her voice. “You on your way out?”

“I am. Heading to the Upper East Side?”

Damn. “Other direction.”

“Ah.” He seemed disappointed, which boosted her spirits. “You take the subway?”

“Yep.” She wondered why he was standing there and if he even had a locker. Both coffeemakers were off, the carafes rinsed out. The doughnuts were long gone.

“Any chance you...?” His voice trailed off, his gaze drifting past her.

Lisa realized they were no longer alone. The wall with the lockers abutted the exit leading to the back alley. Now that the front door was locked, everyone would have to pass them to leave.

“Excuse me.” A nurse she’d met yesterday smiled as she ducked around her.

It took Lisa a moment to realize that she was blocking access to the lockers. “Sorry,” she said and stood closer to Daniel, so close that she was almost pressing into him.

It never occurred to her that he wouldn’t move back to give her room. Something that raised the brows of a watchful older woman dressed in pink scrubs.

“You were saying?” Lisa murmured.

Evidently their audience didn’t bother him because he was staring at her again, only this time he was up close and personal. She felt his warm breath on her cheek. Felt the heat from his body. The photocopy that she had in her purse didn’t do justice to the power of his smile. “I was wondering if—”

“Hey, Dr. Cassidy. You’re still here.” Hector from the reception desk stood at the doorway.

Daniel sighed and gave his head a small shake of frustration before looking at the man. “Need something?”

Lisa sighed, too. Why couldn’t everyone just go away? Couldn’t they tell that she was going to say yes to whatever Daniel was asking for? Probably dinner. Maybe more than dinner. But he couldn’t ask her with all the interruptions.

“I need a prescription.”

“Now?”

“It’s for Mr. Kennedy.”

Someone bumped into Lisa’s shoulder. She stumbled a step and her breast pressed into Daniel’s arm. He still didn’t move. And she refused to look him in the eye as she straightened. Her cell signaled a text and she was relieved to have someplace else to look.

It was Logan. He wanted the Trading Cards investigation wrapped up pronto. Her breath caught. How could she have forgotten the main reason she was there? Heather hadn’t turned down Dr. Cassidy yet, so it was hands-off until Lisa got the word.

She stepped farther back. “I’d better be going.”

“Yeah, I’ve got to...”

Neither of them moved.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked.

Valeria, who wasn’t even pretending not to stare at them, had entered the lounge with a student doctor.

“Yes,” she said, hating his confused frown. But she couldn’t say anything more.

“Good,” he said. “Have a nice night.”

“You, too.”

“Yeah,” Valeria whispered as she walked toward the door. “You’re here to work, not flirt.”