“You’re looking well. How’s it going at the new job?” She was practically drooling over him.
“Very well. Hope and I were just discussing how her father started the practice.”
“That’s nice.” She gave me a brief look and then turned her attention back to Brad. “I’m sorry I haven’t called lately. With the new book out, I’ve been hitting the talk show circuit. I just got back to town a couple of days ago.” Olivia brushed her hand over his shoulder. “Maybe we can catch up later this week?”
“Sure. That would be great,” Brad replied.
Olivia turned her attention back to me. “Nice to meet you again, Holly. Ya’ll have a nice dinner.”
She gave Brad another lingering kiss and turned away.
“Hope. My name is Hope,” I muttered under my breath.
“Olivia and I go way back,” Brad said. His face was still a little flushed. “We dated briefly in med school, and then we kept in touch when she moved to New York to do her residency. I knew that she’d moved to LA and gave her a call when I decided to accept the job at your practice.”
I guess I know who the friend was that he had dinner with here.
“You don’t have to explain anything to me,” I said, suddenly feeling defensive.
The waiter came by and left the check on the table. I started to grab for it when Brad beat me to it.
“My treat, remember?”
I shrugged my shoulders. Why did I feel so jealous? So what if Olivia was brilliant and supermodel beautiful? Brad and I were just friends and business associates. Why should I care that she wanted to sink her little paws into him?
“Would you like to go for a quick walk on the pier before we leave?”
I suddenly had visions of Brad and Olivia walking on the same pier and his kissing her. I shook my head clear of those thoughts. What the hell was the matter with me? I was acting like a school girl again.
“No thanks. I better get home. Busy week ahead.”
Brad looked a little hurt. “Ok, then. Let’s get you home.”
We drove back to the Hills in silence. When we got to my house, I opened the car door before he had time to shut off the engine. “Thanks again for dinner. It was nice. See you on Monday.”
“Sure. See ya Monday.”
I hopped out of the car and headed inside without looking back. From here forward, no more thoughts about Brad. We were colleagues. That’s all.
Chapter 21
The dream was very vivid. I was a bridesmaid at Brad and Olivia’s wedding. Wearing a hideous Pepto-Bismol pink dress, I was walking down the aisle when…my phone thankfully buzzed me out of the stupid dream.
I looked at the clock at the same time I clicked open the phone. Two-thirty in the morning and it was my mother. Not good.
“Hope, I don’t want you to worry,” my mother began but, of course, I was already worried. “Your father wasn’t feeling well, so I took him to the hospital.”
Now I was wide awake. “What’s wrong, Mom?”
“They think your dad had a minor heart attack.”
There was nothing minor about a heart attack. I jumped out of bed and started looking for my clothes. “Where is he now?”
“They took him to Desert Medical. We’re still in the ER, but the doctor is admitting him. They’re just waiting for a room to open.”
“Mom, I’ll be on the road in ten minutes. I’ll call you back from the car. I want to speak to the doctor.”
“Now, your father already said to tell you not to come. He’s going to be fine.”
“Mom, I’m coming. Call you back in just a few.” I hung up the phone before she could argue.
I pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt and called Brad. “Hey, sorry to wake you.”
“Yeah, it’s okay. What’s up?” He sounded wide awake.
I told him about my father and that I was heading to Palm Springs. “Sorry to do this to you, but I need you to cover for me until I get back.”
I was a little worried about leaving Brad in charge of my practice, but I had a great staff, so I knew my patients would be taken care of.
“Sure. Of course, Hope. That’s what I’m here for. Please call me when you get there. Let me know how Frank is.”
I threw together a bag of clothes and toiletries, not knowing how long I’d be gone, and jotted a quick note to Frederick letting him know what was going on. I was thankful I’d hired him. He’d manage fine while I was gone.
Once I hit the freeway, I called my mom back and told her I’d be there in two hours. The ER doctor gave me an update and said my father was doing well and in good hands. They were just sending him up to a room and would run more tests later in the morning. Despite my father insisting I stay home, I put my foot down firmly on the gas pedal and headed toward Palm Springs.
Traffic was light this early in the morning, and I kept the speedometer at 90mph almost the whole way. Luckily, most highway patrol officers were sympathetic to doctors who got pulled over for speeding, so I kept my hospital badge in my purse just in case. Thankfully I didn’t need it for this trip.
I got to Desert Medical in record time. After parking the car in the hospital garage, I sprinted up to the lobby and into the elevator. My mom had let me know what room my father was in. Even though she’d said repeatedly that he was fine, I still wanted to see for myself.
I showed my badge at the nurse’s station and introduced myself to the RN working there. My father’s room was right across the hall, and my mother must have heard me talking because she came out to greet me.
“Hey, Hope.” I’d never seen my mother look so disheveled and tired. She was normally well put together with perfect makeup and hair. However, now her black slacks and white blouse were winkled, and her normally well-coiffed, short, dark hair was messy. She’d had a long, hard night – and it wasn’t over yet.
My mom is shorter than I, and I leaned down and gave her a hug. “How is he?”
“Sleeping. The nurse gave him a sedative and he finally went to sleep.”
“I’ll go in and check on him.” My mother gave me that look, like she was about to protest. “I won’t wake him, Mom.”
“Okay. I’m going to get a cup of coffee. Be back shortly.”
Quietly, I opened the door and entered the cool, dark room. I had to cover my mouth when I saw my dad lying in the single bed. I’ve never seen him sick a day in his life. My dad is the strong one. Big, solid, and healthy. Now he lay in the bed looking fragile, with an oxygen tube in his nose, wires coming out of his chest, and an IV taped to his right arm. Machines softly hummed and beeped behind his bed. I couldn’t resist smoothing his hair away from his forehead. At sixty-three, my father was still handsome. He slowly opened his eyes at my touch.
“Hope,” he said in a gravelly tone.
“Hi, Dad. I’m here.”
“You…didn’t…have to…come.” My dad slurred his words.
“I know, Dad. But Brad is covering for me. You know you can’t keep me away.”
“Yeah…” His eyes flickered. The sedative must have been a strong dose.
“Dad, I’ll let you get some rest. We’ll be right here.” Before I could get all the words out, he was already out of it again.
Grabbing a blanket from the small closet, I lay down on the couch next to his hospital bed. My own eyes felt heavy. I’ll just shut them for a moment, I thought.
Chapter 22
“Hope. Wake up.” My mom shook me gently on the shoulder. I opened my eyes and I saw her standing over me. She looked a bit better.
“The doctor will be here shortly. They’re taking your father in for surgery soon.”
“What?” I sat up and looked over at my father, who was asleep.
“I thought they were doing tests this morning.” I glanced up at the clock. It was already ten a.m. Where did the time go?
“Honey, I didn’t want to wake you. They came by at seven and did a cath. It showed a blocked artery. He needs a bypass operation, Hope
.” My mom looked worried. “The nurse said Dr. Borago would be in to talk to us.”
I’d heard of Charles Borago and knew that he was a top heart doc in the area, so I felt a little better. I just couldn’t believe that I’d slept right through all that. I guess I was used to sleeping in a hospital.
“Okay. I’m going to get something to drink. Be right back.”
I knew most floors had a snack area for staff, so I went to the nurse’s station to ask. I didn’t want to risk going to the cafeteria and missing the doctor.
I found the snack room, which had a vending machine for soda and coffee. I fished a dollar out of my jeans pocket and fed it to the machine. While waiting for the soda to drop, I heard the door open behind me. I turned around and was surprised to see a familiar face.
“Holly? What are you doing here?” Olivia Campanelli was standing before me in her white doctor’s jacket.
“It’s Hope,” I said to her. I stood up a little straighter. “My dad was admitted last night. He’s having surgery today.”
A look of recognition crossed her face. “Oh. That must be who Charles was talking about. Sorry, I didn’t know it was your dad who was having surgery.”
“What’s going on here? I’m confused. I thought you were based out of Cedars-Sinai?”
“I am. Charles is part of our medical group, Southern California Cardiology Associates. He called me last night to come in and assist with the surgery. Our other partner is out on vacation.”
“So the surgery is set for noon?” Why did I feel like such an idiot while talking to Olivia? She was beautiful, smart and a best-selling author. And she had her sights set on Brad apparently.
She nodded as she reached for the coffee maker. “I’m just waiting for Charles to get here. How’s your father doing?”
“He’s asleep now. I haven’t talked with him since earlier this morning. He was out of it.”
Olivia put her hand on my shoulder. “We’ll take good care of him.”
I grabbed my soda and walked out with her.
“Here’s Charles now.”
A short, bald man walked our way. Olivia made the introductions.
“Nice to meet you, Hope. I’ve heard a lot about you. Your dad and I played golf together a couple of times.”
“Sure. I remember. Let me get my mother so you don’t have to repeat everything.”
I poked my head around the door to my dad’s room and called for my mom.
“The cath showed a ninety-five percent blockage in one of his arteries,” Charles said. “As you know, a bypass is needed to restore normal blood flow to the heart. The surgery will take about three to four hours.”
After the doctor answered a few of my questions, he went to talk to my father.
I felt comfortable with everything that Charles had said about the surgery, but I was still anxious. When one of the OR techs came to prep my father for surgery, I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Mom and I will be waiting for you when you get out. I love you.”
“I love you, too, pumpkin. Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.”
A tear slid down my cheek as they wheeled him down the hall.
Chapter 23
While my father was in surgery, I sent my mother home to shower and change. Then I checked in with the office. Heather said everything was running smoothly and put Brad on the phone.
“Hey, I’m so glad you called. How’s Frank?”
“He’s in surgery. Single bypass.” I paused. “With Dr. Charles Borago and your friend, Olivia.”
“Well, they’ll take good of him.”
“What’s going on there?” I leaned against the wall.
“I went by and saw Janessa on the way to the office this morning. She’s still bleeding some, but it’s slowed. She’s coming in tomorrow for another ultrasound.”
“Good. What else?” My tone was more clipped than I wanted it to be. Blame it on stress, or worry for my dad, or that I wasn’t at the office and making the decisions. I heard Brad sigh on the other end.
“Hope, everything is fine. I promise to call you if anything urgent comes up. Take care of Frank.”
Part of me was relieved that Brad was there handling things and taking charge. I guess having another qualified doctor at the practice was a good idea. It gave me the ample time I needed to spend with my parents during their time of need.
“Sure. I’ll check in later.” I disconnected with Brad then decided to call Venus. We hadn’t talked since I’d left her a message on the way to Palm Springs.
I spent the next three hours pacing the hall in front of the surgery waiting room. My mom returned looking refreshed just as Olivia came out to the hallway dressed in her surgery scrubs.
“Dr. Borago is just finishing up,” she said to both of us. “The surgery went as expected, and Frank is doing well. He’ll be taken to recovery very soon.”
I looked over at Mom, who sighed in relief. Whatever negative feelings I’d had for Olivia dissipated. She’d just saved my father’s life. I would be eternally grateful.
*
My father recovered well and was in the hospital for only three days. He might be a great physician, but he sucked as a patient. I made sure he was set up at home – at first he refused an at-home nurse, but my mom and I assured him that it would be only for a couple of weeks. On my last night in Palm Springs I took Mom out to dinner.
We went to her favorite restaurant in Palm Springs – Chop House. While we waited for our table, we had a drink at the bar. We both got our favorite cocktail, the French Flirt, which has Ciroc vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice. Just as I took a sip of the heavenly drink, I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned and saw two men sitting at a table near the back of the bar.
Even though his head was turned away from me, I instantly recognized Mr. Vanderbilt. The young man he was with looked very familiar, but I couldn’t place him. He was the ultimate California boy stereotype with blonde, wispy hair, a deep tan, and big, white teeth. He looked very preppy in a starched pink polo shirt with a Kelly green sweater thrown over his shoulders. I couldn’t see his pants, but I would’ve bet he wore pressed light khakis and topsiders with no socks. He must be one of Mr. Vanderbilt’s many real estate clients, I decided. Venus had told me that Mr. Vanderbilt was in Palm Springs on a golf trip.
“I’ll be right back, Mom.”
“Where are you going?”
“I see someone I know. I just want to say hi.”
I got up and started walking to the back of bar where Mr. Vanderbilt and his companion were seated. It was quieter and more intimate back here. I passed a couple sharing an appetizer and a bottle of wine. By the girl’s giggles, I surmised they were on a first date.
When I was just two tables away, I saw something that stopped me dead in my tracks. Mr. Vanderbilt reached over and placed his hand over the young man’s hand. In an intimate way. The young man smiled and stroked Mr. Vanderbilt’s hand. Mr. Vanderbilt leaned over the table and whispered something, and his guest laughed. It looked seductive.
I was frozen in my spot. The young man suddenly looked up at me and saw me standing there – probably with my mouth hanging open. His smile faded, and he said something to Mr. Vanderbilt. I quickly turned and headed back to the bar table where my mom waited. Luckily the hostess was there to escort us to our dinner table. I grabbed my purse and didn’t look back.
“That was fast, dear,” my mom said as we followed the hostess.
“Oh, wrong person. I thought I knew him.”
All through dinner I tried to forget about Venus’s husband. I poked at my Australian sea bass as all kinds of thoughts ran through my mind. Maybe I had misinterpreted the hand thing. I replayed the events in my mind. No, I was pretty sure that what I’d seen was an intimate gesture between two men. Venus was right. Mr. Vanderbilt was cheating on her. But with a man.
Now the question was – how should I tell Venus?
Chapter 24
The next morning I headed bac
k to LA. My father was recovering, and I knew he’d be in good hands with mom and his nurse. He was still squabbling about it, but that was my father for you.
On the drive back to LA, all I could think about was what to tell Venus about Mr. Vanderbilt. I replayed the images in my head. Mr. Vanderbilt’s hand caressing another man’s. The look on the young man’s face – one of love, of passion. I knew in my heart that he was Mr. Vanderbilt’s lover. Venus already suspected her husband was having an affair, so that part wouldn’t be hard to disclose, although I knew she’d be crushed to have it confirmed. How to tell her that he was with another man? She would be pissed – that’s for sure. And not pissed in the British way – meaning drunk – but extremely angry.
I thought about the few interactions I’d had with Venus and Mr. Vanderbilt as a couple. Trying to remember any sign that he was gay or bi-sexual. Any sign that he was interested in men. He dressed very well, took care of himself, got mani-pedis, facials, and massages frequently, but so did half of the straight men I knew. Looking your best was a motto to live by in LA.
I contemplated waiting a couple of weeks to see what transpired between Venus and Mr. Vanderbilt before I said anything. Venus and I had a standing lunch date and shopping trip to buy our gowns for the Heart Ball coming up. Maybe I’d say something then.
The traffic got heavy just as I pulled into town. I decided to head straight to the office and get back to work. I called Frederick to let him know that I’d be home later.
As I pulled into Hollywood Healthcare, I noticed the parking lot was full. My usual spot was empty – Brad had parked his Mustang on the side of the building. I put my mind in work mode and headed inside.
Chapter 25
After an exhausting day of seeing patients and getting back into the groove of things, I just wanted to go home and pour a large glass of wine and vegetate. But there was one thing on my mind that I couldn’t ignore any longer. I hopped into the Cayenne and drove the few blocks to my best friend’s house.
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