by Claire Adams
“Page, for God’s sake…”
“No, you listen! Haven’t I always been there? Haven’t I always come through for you? I have watched an endless parade of women go in and out of your offices and you have never even given me the time of day.” She was just a foot away from me now. I could smell her heavy perfume and see the corner of her mouth twitch nervously. “I am tired of waiting. So here I am — your Girl Friday. I’m not just a voice on the phone, Bullet, I am a real woman. Take me. Have your way with me. Don’t worry. When Monday comes, it will be business as usual. I promise.” She eased one of the straps down off her shoulder. Okay, that was enough of that.
“Have you lost your mind?” I pulled the strap back up and reached for one of my white coats that hung on the nearby coatrack. I tossed it to her with a look of disgust. “I don’t know what you think you are doing here or what you thought you would accomplish with all this, but it is not going to work. Page, you are my assistant, that is it. There is nothing between us nor will there ever be. I am appalled that you would call in a false report about a sick patient just to get me here. This is beyond unprofessional. I want you to get dressed and go home, now! We will talk about all of this at another time.”
She tossed the coat on the floor and stood with her hand on her hip defiantly. “You don’t get it, do you? I love you, Bullet. I can’t stand idly by anymore and not tell you how I feel.”
Feeling annoyed yet sympathetic I answered as calmly as I could. “I understand that but you need to go home. We will talk about this on Monday.”
Finally getting the message, Page reached for her carefully folded dress in the chair by the door. She tossed it over her head and glared at me. “You just don’t get it. You would not know a real woman if she slapped you in the face, Bullet Steinmann. You’re so used to all those fake tits and fake women that you can’t or won’t appreciate the real thing.” She gave a weird sort of laugh as she slipped into her shoes. “Maybe you can’t get it up unless you can feel silicone.”
That was enough for me. “You know what, Page. I think you have crossed a line here. Let’s just put an end to this. You’re fired.”
Again she stood with her hands on her hips. “You can’t fire me, Dr. Steinmann. I know where all the little Barbie dolls are buried, don’t I? I know about all the Carmens, all the trips to Executive Massage. I even know about your exclusive membership to some of the area’s finest escort services. If you think I am going away quietly with nothing to show for it, think again. You can’t toss me away.”
If she thought threatening me was the key to my heart, she had another thing coming. I didn’t care what she thought she knew about me. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of begging her to keep quiet. “You take your threats and get the hell out.”
“What’s Miss Brightwood going to think of your man-whore ways, Bullet? You think she’s actually going to want to keep you around once she knows about your extracurricular activities? Maybe I should call her and give her a heads up.”
My jaw popped and I clenched my fists. “I am giving you one minute to get out of my office before I call the police.” I looked at my watch to show her I wasn’t kidding.
“You bastard,” she whispered angrily. “You think it’s going to be that easy. Let me tell you something. You either break it off with Lilly or you can kiss your career goodbye. I’m not losing you just because you think that you’re in love. I’ll give you a couple of hours to think about it—then maybe I will give your friend a phone call.” She turned on her heel and stormed out of my office.
“Page…”
“What?” she yelled at me, tears in her eyes.
“Leave the keys here—all of them.” She fumbled with her keys and tossed mine on my desk.
“This doesn’t change a thing.” Page walked out of the office and I locked the door behind me. I walked back into my office and picked up the phone to call my attorney. I needed to stay on top of these threats. Page was a loose cannon—she posed a far greater threat than Amelia Sheffield. She was right; she did know where all the bodies were buried. Weird that I had not expected this either. Page left making a lot of promises and I could not take the chance of any of them coming true.
I thought about Lilly waiting for me in that hotel room but I could not bring myself to call her. How could I explain what just happened? “Hey Babe, sorry I’m running late. My assistant showed up in her underwear and is now trying to blackmail me. If she calls, don’t pick up.”
Yeah, I’m sure that would go over well. I remembered how thrilled Lilly had been to hear the accusations that Amelia’s friend had leveled at me. Imagine what it would be like if it were my own assistant?
Chapter Seven
Lilly
After waiting until 9:30, I decided to leave the hotel. Honestly, I felt aggravated that Bullet had not called me but I could see how he might not be able to if he was dealing with a patient emergency. I admired his care for his patients. It wasn’t every doctor that would be on call—especially on a Saturday. I got dressed and left him a note, hopeful that I would hear something from him later today. I called a cab and walked downstairs to the lobby.
To the casual observer, I must have looked a sight with my smeared second day makeup and a party dress on—one with a plunging neckline and a short hem. Thankfully the cab was waiting for me so I hopped right in and went home. As soon as I got in my apartment, I unzipped my dress and put it in the basket intended to go to the dry cleaners. I changed panties and reached for a pair of worn jeans and a comfy blue t-shirt. I piled my hair on top of my head and grabbed a snack from the refrigerator. So much for rubbing shoulders with Metro Symphony people but it was worth it. I enjoyed the time Bullet and I spent together; certain parts of my body were sore but pleasantly so.
My phone rang and my heart skipped. Maybe that was Bullet! I picked up the phone but didn’t recognize the number. Who could that be? I waited a few rings, wracking my brain but I couldn’t figure it out. I tapped on the screen and said, “Hello!” but by the time I answered whoever it was had hung up. I heard a knock at my door and again, half-hoped that it was Bullet.
I swung open the door to find Kate leaning against the door frame. She didn’t even wait for me to greet her before she fell in my arms. She smelled like stale booze and had obviously been crying. “What is it, Katie? What happened? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, except my life is over.” Kate’s eyes were red and swollen. “Riley’s gone back to his ex, I mean his wife, I mean whoever the hell she is…he’s gone back to her and left me alone. I can’t believe this.” She broke into tears. “Now I’m all alone. What kind of fool am I?” I shut the door behind us and led her to my kitchen table. Black coffee was in order.
I put on a pot while listening to her explanation of the chain of events that led her to my door, inebriated and distraught. “After you left, Stephen met some friends and started drinking way too much. That group, the Seltzers asked Riley to come up and sing “Renegade Nights” with them, that song I love…” she started to cry again. I patted her arm and slid her a box of nearby tissues.
“Anyway, while he was up there, Stephen started hitting on me. I mean, really hitting on me. He was feeling my leg and trying to kiss me. I told him to quit but he told me I was a fool, that Riley and his ex were still seeing one another. I thought he was lying. When Riley got off stage, we went outside and I told him what happened. He didn’t seem surprised and he didn’t deny what Stephen said. Riley told me that he had been looking for a way to tell me it was over.” Kate covered her face with her hands and cried some more. I stared at her—I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Oh no, Kate. I am so sorry! I can’t even believe this.”
“Riley said he thought he was over her but when he found out they were still married, he felt like it was a sign. A damn sign! Can you believe it? She wants him back and he wants to ‘try and make it work.’ What an asshole! I have a good mind to go kick her ass or someth
ing.” I got up to pour the coffee, filled a mug and returned to the table. Kate accepted it, taking a sip. Her hands were shaking.
“Kate I don’t want you to go anywhere right now. You’ve been drinking. I want you stay with me for now. You can get a shower and take a nap and then you will be able to think more clearly. We will come up with a plan to get past this, I promise. I am sorry this happened to you, Kate. You don’t deserve it and I don’t want you to give up on love. All men aren’t like that.” I didn’t know what advice I could really offer. My heart broke for my friend. Not only because of her revelation that her intended had played her for a fool, but that she had trusted someone and that trust was smashed into smithereens. I’ve been there before. I reached for her hand and squeezed it. My phone rang again. I ignored it but Kate said, “Go answer that. I’m going to wash my face anyway. I bet I look terrible.”
I picked up the phone and the mystery number again. Maybe it was Bullet, calling from a different cell phone or maybe an office number. I wasn’t sure so I answered it.
“Is this Lilly Brightwood?”
“Yes, it is. May I ask who is calling?”
“You don’t remember me? This is Page, Dr. Steinmann’s assistant. We’ve talked before.” Her voice sounded icy but smug. I didn’t like the way this conversation was starting—something felt wrong. I experienced an overwhelming sense of dread.
“Oh, hello. I guess he’s tied up this afternoon?”
“You have no idea how true that statement probably is.” She giggled as if she knew something that I didn’t.
“Okay…how can I help you?” I should have just hung up but I wanted to hear what she had to say.
“I thought a heart to heart was in order, just some girl talk about our mutual ‘friend.’ I guess even you know that Bullet Steinmann is no angel, Miss Brightwood. As a matter of fact, he’s very naughty when it comes to some of his hobbies. Of course you do know that, you spent a few days with him, didn’t you?”
“Why are you calling me, Page?” I sat on the edge of my couch, feeling the knots build in my stomach. Sensing my distress, Kate returned and sat on the floor next to me. She mouthed the words, “Who is it?” but I didn’t answer her. I tapped the phone putting Page on speaker. I held the phone in shaking hands.
“He’s got a long list of lovers—some include his patients and even paid escorts. You are hardly the first or the last, I am sure. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, Miss Brightwood, he’s not the guy for you. Trust me, I have been with him for four years. I should know.” I didn’t believe her; I didn’t want to believe her. Kate started to say something but I waved her silent.
“Again, why are you calling me, Page?” I kept my voice even. I refused to get baited into a squabble with Bullet’s secretary. “I don’t think you know what you are talking about.”
“Oh really? Have you ever heard of Jennifer Remington or Amelia Sheffield? What about Carmen Fuentes or Alex Brickhouse?”
“No, of course not.” I had heard of two of them but no way was I telling her.
She laughed at me and I felt my face redden. “I do. I know all about them. He’s screwed them all and most of them right there in his office. When he can’t get lucky with a patient, he goes to Executive Massage or a few other places for a quick piece of ass. You know, I don’t mind telling you, that it has been very difficult working with him. He’s not the kind of guy that likes being told no. Imagine how angry he was today when I turned him down. He said that you weren’t enough for him, with those small tits and your prudish ways.” She said in an embarrassed whisper, “You know, he wanted me to bend over right in the nurses’ station but of course, I refused him. I told him if he tried to mess with me again, I would tell you about it. I guess he didn’t believe me.”
“You know what I think, Page. I think you want Bullet for yourself but he won’t give you the time of day. I think you have a huge crush on him and I think if you could find a way, you would say whatever you had to if you could keep us apart.”
She laughed again and then said in smooth, low voice. “Has he ever said, ‘I love you?’?”
“That’s none of your business!”
“Then he hasn’t and he won’t. Bullet isn’t the kind of guy that falls in love with any girl.”
“Why are you doing this?” I felt a hot tear slide down my face.
“I just wanted you to know. I felt like you deserved to.”
“I bet you did. I won’t thank you for calling me and just so you know, I’m blocking your number. Don’t call me again.” I hung up and stared at Kate.
She said, “What are the odds that you and I would get screwed so royally at the same time?” She shoved the tissue box my way but no more tears fell. Instead, I was angry—angry that Page had called me to tell me her version of the facts, angry that Bullet probably considered me just another piece of ass.
How could I have been so stupid?
Chapter Eight
Bullet
Page never called back but I knew her well enough to know that she might actually call Lilly. My attorney advised me that I needed to avoid contact with Page— don’t call her and don’t take her calls. Still, I had the sneaking suspicion that I had not heard the last from her.
I went back to the hotel room, hoping that by some chance, Lilly was still there. She wasn’t but I found her note. It smelled like her perfume.
Dear Bullet, I waited but I decided to go home and change. Call me when you are through. Let’s grab a bite to eat later. – L
Damn! I headed back out the door. The plan was to talk to Lilly, to come clean about everything before Page called her. If I had my choice, of course, I would never tell her anything about my past ways. I had turned over a new leaf, right? But this was out of my control. The only way I could get ahead of it was to be upfront and honest. I would bare my soul and let the chips fall where they may. She has to know that it was her that changed me. I am not that guy anymore. I liked her, I might even love her. Of course, I am not ready to tell her that yet but if I have to, I will.
I zipped onto the highway and was standing on Lilly’s porch in less than fifteen minutes. Her car was here so I knew that she was home. I knocked, “Lilly!” No answer. “Hey, Lilly, it’s me Bullet.”
“Go away. I don’t want to talk to you,” said the voice from the opposite side of the metal door—it was Lilly. “Nobody here wants to talk to you!” I wasn’t sure who that was but I guessed that it was probably Kate, there to comfort her friend. I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated.
“I understand that but I need to talk you. Can I at least tell you my side of what happened? I am sure Page didn’t tell you the truth. She’s crazy, Lilly. The whole sick patient thing, it was a set up. There was never a patient.” I heard nothing. “Please, Lilly, talk to me. Don’t leave me standing out here.”
The door opened a few inches but it wasn’t Lilly, it was Kate. She looked a mess, like she’d been crying too. “Go away. She doesn’t want to see you anymore and she doesn’t want to talk to you. If you don’t go, I am calling the police.” The door closed and I was left standing on the porch with my mouth open. I slowly walked down the steps to my car and sat there thinking what I should do next. What could I do? I reached in my briefcase next to me and grabbed a sheet of paper.
Dear Lilly,
I am sorry that this happened. Page is not playing with a full deck but I do need to come clean with you about some things. I haven’t been an angel but ever since I met you, that’s all changed. I meant it when I told you that you were special. You are and I care about you. I realize that you may want nothing to do with me now and if that’s the case, I understand. But, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, please call me. I need to talk to you.
I struggled with how to sign the letter but finally I wrote, “Love, Bullet.” Damn, I did love her, didn’t I?
I folded the letter, walked up the stairs and slid it under the door. I didn’t wait for an answer. I was going
home.
I felt like a zombie for the next twenty-four hours. I left the hotel and flew home. I had to get a handle on my business. My attorney had retrieved all my records and books from Page and had them delivered to my house. She’d kept detailed records but there were tons of inappropriate comments penciled in the columns and a sheaf of notes about who I had been seeing and when. I shook my head at her nerve. Page was not to be trusted, that was clear. She had been virtually stalking me for years; that much was apparent. The sad truth was I had no idea until it was too late. What an ass I had been!
I called Dr. Pennington and chatted with him briefly. I didn’t tell him anything about Page but I asked him if he knew of a good replacement for her. He didn’t ask me any questions, thankfully, but as always, he knew more than he let on. He said he’d have his office manager send me a short list of suitable assistants. Although I had not had a chance to talk to Lambert, Dr. Pennington assured me that I was still his first option for a partner. I didn’t want to jump the gun but I pressed him a little. “When do you think you will be making your decision? I am thinking of relinquishing my office space in Kansas City. It’s time for a change.”
“Unofficially, the job is yours, Dr. Steinmann, so I feel confident that you can make those plans without worry. Officially, it will be the end of the week before we can get the paperwork to the attorneys. So it won’t be long. I am glad that you are keen on joining us.” A little more cautiously he added, “I hope you haven’t encountered some kind of problem.”
“Nothing I can’t handle. It’s like I said, it is time to make that change we talked about. I’m ready to put the past behind me.”
“That’s great. I’m glad to hear that.” We ended our conversation on a positive note and I felt better having talked to him. Next thing I did was call and cancel some memberships, like to Executive Massage. It wasn’t really just because of Lilly. She may never call me or see me again—this was for the future, my future. I wanted what Slate had. Not Gretchen; no those feelings were dead and gone, but meeting Lilly had given me hope that maybe I could like/love just one woman. Maybe I did want a home with a family, you know, a kid or two, some pets—the whole nine yards. I wasn’t completely sure but right now I had not left myself any options. All I was doing was making room for some options.
