by Diane Darcy
She shivered and moved back a few inches. “It’s one of my faves. I watch it at least once a year.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for next year.”
Again, he made it sound like they had a future together. It was getting darker now, more intimate, and whatever he saw in her expression had him dipping his gaze to her mouth. She pushed off the bottom of the pool and away from him.
He grabbed her foot and she twisted around, forcing him to release her. He was smiling, making her feel warm all over, and she continued to back away, afraid he’d follow. Afraid of what would happen if he did.
With a sigh, he moved to lean against the edge of the pool, arms spread out on the tiles behind him, and as her heart slowed, she assured herself she was feeling relief. She stared at him, half out of the water the way he was, his chest exposed, his waist tapered. How was it he looked even bigger, and more muscular, without his clothes on? Feeling breathless, nervous, attracted, she swam across the pool and turned to float on her back.
After a moment, she stood up, and found him watching her. “The first stars are coming out.”
He looked up. “So they are.”
But after only a glance he was looking at her again, and, against her will, she found herself drawing closer. She’d like to reach out and touch that chest, see if it was as warm and firm as it looked. She’d like to press herself against him. She’d like to kiss him.
She took a breath and looked away. What was she thinking? She was living in his house and things were awkward enough with the lost necklace between them. The last thing she needed was to turn this into a romantic relationship. From the way he was looking at her, if she made a move of any kind, his answer would be a definite yes.
She swam toward the stairs and the safety of her towel. “Thank you for inviting me out here, but I’d better get to bed.”
“So soon?”
She climbed out of the pool and quickly wrapped up.
“I have to get up for work bright and early.”
“Okay, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
She didn’t glance back as she headed for the house. No more swimming in the pool with Adam. He was too dangerous for her peace of mind.
~~~
Isabelle walked past the nurses’ station, turned the corner, then heard a fit of giggles break out behind her. She rolled her eyes. Everyone had been acting a little odd today, and, as she was so busy, she just didn’t want to know. As she rounded the next corner, she almost ran into Pete Anderson and pulled up short. “Oh, sorry.”
Pete laughed. “That’s okay. I wanted to talk to you. Are you still on duty?”
“Yes, but only for a few more minutes.”
“Okay, well, I just redid the schedule and I have a little more work available. It could be added to the end of your shift. A few hours here and there. It could really add up. I’m wondering if you would like to pick some up.”
She was already nodding, positive Adam wouldn’t mind. It wasn’t like he had her doing anything, anyway. As it was, she had to invent chores for herself. “Yes. I think I could. Things are a little slow at my…um…other job right now.”
She was actually thrilled he’d asked her. He’d been acting different, sort of cold toward her since she’d turned down his offer of a full-time job. Isabelle had pretended not to notice and he’d finally warmed up again in recent days.
He hesitated a moment. “I just want you to know I’m sorry for not accepting your decision with good grace. About the full-time job, I mean. I’d been under the impression you wanted more hours and I’d worked it out for you. And then when you couldn’t pick up the hours, I’m afraid I didn’t respond as well as I could have. I’m sorry.”
Isabelle lifted a shoulder, wondering when he’d become a mind reader. “It’s okay, really. It’s not a big deal. I didn’t tell you what was going on, so of course you didn’t know.”
Pete held up a hand. “Obviously I don’t know your situation or what you’re going through, and I’ve come to appreciate the fact that you kept your word to your new employer even when you didn’t want to. So I’d just like to apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”
Isabelle’s face heated. It wasn’t really a matter of keeping her word so much as being scared not to, so she felt she was being given undue credit. “Really, Pete, it’s fine.”
“Knowing why you took the other job, it’s perfectly understandable.”
“Why I took the job?”
“I won’t say another word.” He shot her a knowing look and then took off down the hall. Isabelle stared after his lanky frame and wondered what that had been about. She continued on into Room 136 and smiled at Dr. Adelstein, who must have just arrived.
“Isabelle. I’m glad to see you. I heard about your little change-of-life circumstance, shall we say?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why, you moving in with my favorite veteran, of course. Which also explains his sudden absence after months of never missing an appointment.”
“What?”
“Don’t pussyfoot around. Everyone knows you’ve been dating Adam Wilder. But you sure did move in together awfully fast, didn’t you? Are you sure you’re not getting ahead of yourself?”
Heat rushed into Isabelle’s face. “Dr. Adelstein, it’s not what you think.”
The doctor chuckled. “Don’t look so shocked. Things have a way of getting around in a hospital setting. We’re like a small town. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. That’s just the way of it.”
“But I haven’t told anyone.”
“Apparently you were at a picnic a few days ago. Am I right?”
She nodded.
“Someone recognized you and asked around.”
Isabelle felt humiliated. “So now everyone knows?”
“Um…sure. Pretty much. There may be a few stragglers who haven’t come in yet, but other than that, I’d say yeah, pretty much everyone knows.”
Great. No wonder the nurses had been giving her smirking looks all day. Her cheeks were burning and she had a few fleeting thoughts about trying to tell everyone the truth, but what could she say? She wasn’t about to tell a soul about her father’s situation. This was just great.
Dr. Adelstein laughed at her expression. “Don’t worry so much. I can see you two making a great couple. Tell Adam I said hello, and that if the two of you end up getting married, I’m getting you a Beauty and the Beast movie as a present.” He waited a moment, then said, “You’re not laughing.”
Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Marriage? Now who’s getting ahead of himself?”
~~~
Isabelle was outside in the garden, pulling the few weeds the gardener managed to miss. It was silly, Adam would never even know she’d done it, but it made her feel useful.
“Hello?” a woman’s voice called out.
“Back here.”
When Caitlyn rounded the side of the house, Isabelle regretted saying anything, but, as it was too late, she decided to be gracious. “Hi. I’m just doing a bit of weeding.”
Caitlyn looked around with narrowed eyes. “Where’s Adam?”
“He had to go run an errand. He’ll be back in an hour or so.”
“That’s okay.” Her expression tightened and turned slightly malicious. “You’re the one I really wanted to talk to.” Her lips curled in a sneer, turning her pretty features into something less than beautiful. “I know what your father did.” She raised her brows, jutted her chin, and shook her head. “I know all about how he stole the Starfire necklace.”
The breath left Isabelle’s lungs and she slowly stood and faced the dark-haired woman. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t be coy, Isabelle. It doesn’t suit your fresh-faced innocent image. Which is a complete and utter joke. Who do you think you are even being in the same vicinity as Adam? Breathing the same air? I don’t know what you’re doing for Adam over here to keep him from prosecuting your father, but when I’m
his girlfriend, I promise you, you’re out of here, and your dad is in jail.”
Isabelle’s face felt numb, her lips stiff. “I still don’t know what you’re talking about. Who told you my father stole the Starfire?”
Looking extremely self-satisfied, Caitlyn placed hands on her hips. “Who do you think?” She shook her head again. “Adam did, of course. The night of the picnic. He asked me not to say anything to you, but the longer I’ve thought about it, the harder it was for me to keep silent. I mean the nerve of you living here,” she threw up a hand to indicate the house. “Mooching off poor Adam. It turns my stomach.”
Isabelle’s heart pounded, her expression as blank as she could make it. Adam had talked to Caitlyn about her family? Isabelle’s stomach clenched painfully. How could he do that? Why would he do that? Wait. Adam, who was so private, confiding in Caitlyn? Adam, who’d used Isabelle to protect him from Caitlyn, confiding in her? Not likely.
She breathed in and calmness settled over her, relaxing her. Isabelle didn’t know where Caitlyn had gotten her information, but she knew women like this one. Catty, sneaky, not above lying to get what they wanted. If Isabelle wanted to deal with this, she just needed to enter another beauty pageant.
Relief and amusement bubbled within her and spilled out as she laughed. “Nice try, troublemaker. But number one, Adam would never in a million years confide anything to you, and number two, I still have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Caitlyn’s face reddened, her lips tightened, and she half-growled, half-shrieked, which confirmed she was lying. She actually stomped one foot. “You’re not good enough for Adam.” She stabbed her thumb at her chest. “I’m the sort of girl he should be with and eventually marry.”
“Be that as it may, you need to leave now.”
She didn’t move. “Are you going to tell Adam I was here?”
“Are you going to continue spreading lies about my father?”
Caitlyn’s chin lifted and she breathed in audibly through her nose. “No.”
“Fine, then I won’t tell Adam you were here.”
“I’m going now, but think about what I said. You’re not in Adam’s league. Not even close.”
Isabelle watched her go. Cattiness aside, Caitlyn had a point. If the truth were out about the necklace, Adam’s friends and family would be the lining up to convince Adam to avoid a relationship with her.
A sense of loss enveloped her.
Even if the necklace were found, would there be any way for them to be together?
~~~
Later that night, Isabelle sat on the couch reading a book as Adam made a snack in the other room.
A moment later, he poked his head out of the kitchen doorway. “Do you want anything to drink?”
“Sure, ice water would be great, thanks.” As Adam disappeared into the kitchen, her phone rang. She picked it up, saw Becky was calling, and answered. “Hi, reigning Miss Washington.”
“Ha, ha. Hi, yourself. So, I’m going to be in California tomorrow afternoon. The Apple Heiress fired my wardrobe consultant when she dared to question the Heiress’s taste in clothing. So I’m meeting with the new one in LA tomorrow at four o’clock. I’ll have about three hours to burn and I’d love to see you. I can fly into John Wayne, rent a car, and be in Laguna Beach by one o’clock. Then I can drive up to LA after lunch. Are you in?”
Izzy was grinning by the time Becky took a breath. “I would love to see you. I get off work at noon, so the timing’s perfect. Would you rather meet halfway between here and LA?”
“Naw. I mean, no, thank you.” She giggled. “Elocution lessons. Let’s eat at a place where we can see the ocean. That serves burgers. It’s my treat, so don’t worry about the cost. The Apple Heiress is spending a fortune on me and we now have a personal chef who only makes what She-Who-Cannot-Be-Disobeyed dictates. I need some greasy food.”
Isabelle giggled. “Oh, dear. Are you having any fun at all?”
“Sure. I’m all about having fun with it. It’s easy once you realize the whole thing is simply about presentation, you know? How to talk, how to walk, how to take a lame resume and make it look like you’re something awesome. I like the physical fitness. The trainer is great.”
“Is he single?”
Becky sighed loudly. “Married with two kids. That’s one of the drawbacks. I’m meeting tons of new women, some good, some not so much. But the straight guys are scarce on the ground. And I’m totally not getting asked out on dates anymore. Anyway, do you know of a good place to eat? I’m starved for something fattening!”
“Um…hold on,” she said as Adam came into the room. She placed the phone against her chest. “Adam?”
He set a plate of snacks on the table between their chairs. “Yes?”
“Do you know of a nice restaurant with a view of the ocean that serves burgers?”
“Quinn’s Lighthouse Restaurant and Pub.”
Isabelle lifted the phone to her ear. “Okay, I have a place. I’ll find the address and text it to you later.”
“Who was that?” asked Becky.
Isabelle froze. “Oh, no one.”
“Don’t give me no one. I heard a deep voice.”
Isabelle had no intention of telling Becky, who was gorgeous and on the lookout for a boyfriend, about Adam.
“It’s just some guy I know. See you tomorrow at one o’clock?”
“Yes. Fine. I’ll get it out of you then. Bye,” she sing-songed.
After she hung up, Adam handed her an ice water. “Lunch tomorrow? Do you want me to drive you?”
“No, thanks. The bus runs right by there. I definitely don’t need a ride.”
He sat in his chair. “Who was on the phone? A friend of yours?”
“Yes. A college roommate.”
Adam’s eyes narrowed as he studied her face.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No reason.” He veiled his gaze with his lashes, and pushed the plate of fruit, vegetables, and crackers across the table.
“Thanks. That looks great.”
“Enjoy.”
She watched him pick up his iPad, settle his long legs on the ottoman, and sink back into his chair. She had the feeling she might have hurt his feelings, but didn’t know what to say. Telling him one of the world’s most beautiful women was coming to town tomorrow just wasn’t going to happen.
~~~
The next afternoon Adam was parked front and center, leaning against his black Dodge Charger outside the hospital when Izzy walked down the cement stairs. If her frown was any indication, his presence wasn’t welcome. Taking in her appearance, his worst suspicions were instantly confirmed.
She looked gorgeous. Her makeup was applied more liberally than usual, her eyes were vibrant and her lips pink and kissable. Rather than the usual ponytail she wore at work, her hair curled, thick and unruly, around her shoulders. The yellow dress and white heels she wore accented her slim figure and long legs.
Jealousy punched him right in the gut. Since when did girls dress up like that for each other? He frowned. Maybe they actually did, for all he knew. He opened the passenger door for her.
She hesitated, then walked over, her hand going to his pendant at her throat. “Hi. What are you doing here?”
“I was out this way, and I remembered your lunch appointment. I thought I’d drive you over and save you the hassle of taking the bus.”
Her gaze darted away. “That’s awfully nice of you, but you didn’t need to do that.”
He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal.”
Izzy, still frowning, her big eyes doubtful, slid onto the leather seat.
Satisfaction swelled his chest as he shut the door and rounded the car. A minute later, he pulled out of the hospital parking lot. “So, what’s your friend’s name again?”
Isabelle crossed her arms. “Becky.”
At least she was consistent. “How do you know each other?”
“We were roommates in co
llege.”
“What does she do for a living?”
Izzy hunched her shoulders. “She’s unemployed at the moment. How was your day today?”
She’d changed the subject awfully fast, and was she blushing? Again Adam’s chest burned. He had no problem identifying the dark sensation as jealousy. “Fine. Just fine. Yours?”
“Oh, you know, the usual.” They drove down the Pacific Coast Highway and Izzy talked about the mundane details of her day. Did he detect a hint of nervousness in her tone? As they approached the restaurant, Izzy turned to him. “Do you think you could just drop me off at the bottom of the hill? I’ll just walk up the driveway.”
What Adam thought, was that Izzy didn’t want him to meet her friend. His jaw tightened. “I’ll be glad to drive you up. It’s no problem at all.”
She placed a hand on his arm. “No. It’s okay. I want to walk,” she said firmly.
Taking a breath, he pulled the car to the side of the road and stopped. When she reached for the door handle, jealousy flared and his hand shot out and latched onto her wrist.
She looked at him in surprise. “Adam?”
He took a breath, deciding he had to talk to her about this or he’d explode. Or maybe he’d just stomp on the accelerator and drive until she missed her lunch date. “Izzy. Don’t go. I’m dying here. I’m afraid your friend Becky is actually going to turn out to be your friend Brian or Blake or Boris.”
Her brows furrowed and she sank back into her seat and studied his expression. “I don’t have any friends named Brian, Blake, or Boris.”
He reluctantly let go of her wrist. “Izzy. You’re missing the point. Are you meeting another guy for lunch? Because if you are, you need to just say so. I might be burning up with jealousy, and I might try to talk you out of lunch, but I’m a big boy and I can take it.” Maybe.
Her lips parted. “You’re jealous?”
He gave a short nod.
“But why? I’m meeting Becky.”
He studied her face, looking for any signs of deception, but her eyes were guileless and she seemed confused. “If it’s just a girlfriend, then why don’t you want me to meet her? My face?”
