CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sami gazed across the candlelit table at Chase. He was deep into a description of a surgery he’d performed on a five-year-old that afternoon. His halibut steak lay forgotten in front of him. Sami nodded and encouraged him with her eyes to continue. She tamped down her impulse to look up the procedure on line once she was back at the apartment. One expert of ophthalmic surgery was sufficient.
She placed her knife and fork parallel on her plate, forcing herself to leave the last few bites of her salmon untouched. With Chase’s food looking like it had just been delivered from the kitchen, she was embarrassed that she could practically wipe her own plate clean. And the new black dress she’d bought after sending Jonni’s to the cleaners didn’t need to get any snugger.
Suddenly, Chase stopped talking. He reached across the table for her hand. “You are such a great listener,” he said, smiling. “I forget myself sometimes and I know you really don’t want to hear me going on and on and on about a case.”
Sami relaxed her hand against his palm. Leaning forward, the neckline of her new dress shifting slightly lower, she gave him a long, slow smile. “I want to hear about anything that’s important to you.”
He pressed her hand, then let go and took up his fork. “You’re amazing,” he said. “Remind me to send Vonnie flowers.”
Sami nodded. Before she could say anything, Chase added, “And you’re night and day different from that first dinner. Have to say, Sami, I’m glad you picked up the phone and asked for another chance.”
“Mmm,” Sami said. She hated to feel like she was play acting, but Flynn had been dead on right about his advice. She and Chase had been to dinner, a movie and now dinner again. All in one week.
As for Flynn, he’d never called. Never texted. Never shown his face again after slinking out like a thieving housebreaker.
“Something wrong?” Chase finished off his halibut.
Sami shook her head and flashed a smile at her date. “No. Everything is lovely.” She rolled her shoulders and flipped her hair over one shoulder. “Simply lovely.”
“I’m taking the boat out Sunday afternoon,” he said. “My parents are going to be in town.”
“Yes?”
He grinned. “That’s my girl. You’ll come out with us.”
Sami wasn’t at all sure she was ready to meet his parents. “I enjoyed sailing with you. Yes, I’d like to join you.”
“You’ll like Puck and Mam,” he said. “Salt of the earth. He’s a Yalie; Mam’s Sarah Lawrence.”
“Do they refer to you as the Tufty?” Sami couldn’t resist making her joke.
He looked at her as if he didn’t get it. “They’ve always called me Lil Doc.”
“I take it that from an early age you set your goals on pursuing a medical career?”
“Naturally.” He took a sip of his half-full glass of wine. “My father was and is the type of role model that would make it rather inexplicable if I hadn’t chosen to become a surgeon.”
“And your mother?”
He smiled, rather a fond look in his eyes. “She’s Mam.”
“By that you mean she is a housewife?”
He cocked his head to one side. “No, I think of her as a corporate executive running the family business. Entertaining and heading charitable events for the family foundation, overseeing similar functions where my Dad is head of surgery. Mam keeps very busy.”
“But she did not pursue a professional career?”
He shook his head. “Not once her children were born.”
“Oh,” Sami said. She thought of Vonnie and Toya and Katarina. None of them would ever think of giving up their careers, and they were married with children.
“What about you, Sami?” He gazed across the table at her. “Have you given thought to juggling teaching and say, a husband and children?”
Sami’s heart beat a bit faster. Then slower. Then faster. This conversation was one she’d longed for years to have and here she was, discussing her goals and dreams with a handsome, successful doctor who wanted to marry and have kids. How lucky could she get? She toyed with the flute of her empty wine glass. She actually did not know how to answer his question. Was it a hypothetical? Or was he asking her for a reason? She touched her tongue to her upper lip, widened her eyes and sighed. “Why, Chase, what do you think?”
He smiled and took her hand in his.
The waiter appeared at the table and Chase lowered his hand to his lap. Sami did the same, grateful for the interruption.
As it turned out, he didn’t refer to the topic again. He walked her to her car, paused for a moment, standing close. Then he opened her door for her. “Marina. One o’clock Sunday.”
She nodded, wondering if he’d kiss her.
He leaned toward her, brushed a kiss across her cheek, and whispered, “Till then, sweet dreams, my lovely.”
Sami touched her cheek. “Thank you,” she said, but he was already striding away to his car.
She got behind the wheel. Fastening her seat belt, she couldn’t decide whether she was frustrated that he hadn’t kissed her on the lips or whether she respected his restraint. His touch had been feather-light, gentle, perhaps a promise of more to come.
Nothing like Flynn’s greedy assault on her mouth.
Sami switched on the engine.
The last thing she should be thinking about was Flynn Lawrence’s kisses. He was nothing to her.
Chase was everything she sought in a man. And she couldn’t believe he’d be introducing her to his parents unless he was interested, seriously interested, in her. Sami headed her car toward Belle Meade, frowning as she considered the question of what to wear Sunday. She’d want to look sexy for Chase yet demure and sophisticated enough to impress his parents with her sense of style. Sami sighed. She had no sense of style. All those years of being criticized by Nathalie no matter what she’d chosen to wear had warped her ability to make her own decisions.
Maybe Vonnie could squeeze out an hour or so to help her. She always looked elegant, yet fun and fresh.
It wasn’t until Sami had walked the dogs and was tucking herself into bed that she stopped to ask herself why she wanted to impress Chase’s parents.
Surely she was getting just a little bit ahead of the program? Sami punched her pillows, switched off the light, and then turned it back on. She’d forgotten to text Chase. He’d asked her the last time they’d gone out if she’d please let him know that she’d arrived safely at her apartment. She’d been touched by his thoughtfulness, but somehow it had slipped her mind.
Glancing at her phone, she saw his message, a simple ‘?’.
She quickly sent a smiling emoji.
He responded with a smile with a kiss.
Sami sighed and turned off her lamp. Hugging one of the pillows, she tried to picture Chase getting ready for bed. Did he wear pajamas? Somehow she thought he did. Did he read medical journals propped against his pillow in bed? Probably. Did he always brush his teeth? Definitely. Did he prefer making love at night? Or in the morning? Or anytime in between? Sami hugged her pillow tighter. Slowly, the images of Chase faded.
All around her, breathing against her cheek, rumpling her hair, lips sucking at her nipples, driving her breathless, Flynn’s presence was so vivid, the memory of his touch so heated, she could almost believe he’d returned. She indulged, for only a moment, in her senseless fantasy. Smothering a cry of frustration, Sami grabbed her pillow and stalked into the lavender bedroom.
Jonni’s housekeeper admitted Flynn’s car through the gated entrance and opened the front door when he climbed the shallow steps leading to the sprawling house.
“They’re at the pool,” the housekeeper said. “May I add it is a pleasure to see you, as always. We don’t often have the pleasure of your company on a Saturday evening.”
“Thank you, Beatrice,” Flynn said. “Happy to find Jonni at home.”
The housekeeper nodded. “Tell me if you need anything. I know you know the way to the pool.”
Flynn nodded and made his way across the tiled floors of the foyer and informal living room, through the open French doors to the terrace and pool. Jonni and Cameron’s home had been designed by some famous architect whose name Flynn never could recall. It had lots of high ceilings and windows with fabulous views out to the hillsides, but what Flynn liked best was the way it always felt so comfortable. A man could kick off his shoes and kids could dash through with water guns and no one got yelled at. A guy could be happy in this sort of house.
Even with a wife and kids?
Flynn caught himself up short before heading out to the terrace. Where in the hell were those thoughts coming from? This life was fine for Cam and Jonni. He’d be bored beyond belief in a week’s time, on to the next adventure, the next willing woman to tantalize him.
His penthouse condo suited his lifestyle.
His single life suited it even better.
So why the hell was he here on a Saturday night seeking companionship with his best friend’s wife and kids?
He’d had his phone out, planning to meet up with a woman he’d sat next to on his flight back from Nashville. He’d entered the first several digits of her number when he’d stopped, thrust his phone into his pocket, retrieved his car, and headed toward Beverly Hills.
“Flynn, what a nice surprise.” Jonni waved to him from the terrace, beckoning him outside.
Surprise. Surprise. First the housekeeper and now Jonni. Well, he’d surprised himself. “Hey, Jonni, you’re looking elegant as always,” he said, walking over to brush a kiss on her cheek. Though when he looked more closely, he noticed her face seemed pale.
Jonni smiled. “As soon as Erika surfaces from pretending she’s a torpedo, prepare yourself.”
Flynn sat down next to Jonni. “Cam coming home tomorrow?”
She sighed. “Yes. It seems so long. I do try to be a good wife and not complain, but I miss him terribly when we’re not together.”
Flynn joined her in a sigh. Cameron was working, wrapping his location shoot in New Orleans. Sami, on the other hand, wouldn’t be working on a Saturday night. Was she out with the perfect doctor? Rod the Jerk? Someone else she’d practiced her flirting techniques on? He frowned. Gradually, he realized Jonni was patting the back of his hand. He looked up quickly.
“Want to talk about her?” Jonni spoke softly.
“No. Yes.” Flynn jumped up and then sat back down. “What do you mean ‘talk about her’?”
Jonni smiled, in a sweet way. “Women’s intuition.”
Flynn shrugged. “I can’t get her out of my mind. I’m with a different hot babe and all I see is her face.”
“Sami does have a beautiful face,” Jonni said.
“Excuse me, Jonni Scott. How do you know I’m talking about Sami?”
“Part witch?” She smiled again. “Good witch, of course.” She swung her feet off the chaise lounge and sat up. “You know I write only children’s stories, but if I wanted to pen a really good romance, I could see you and Sami as the lead characters.”
“Thanks, but no thanks,” Flynn said. “All I want is advice on how to get her out of my system.”
“Hmm,” Jonni said. “Maybe you’d better hold your questions for Cameron. He knows how successful he was running away from me, way back when.”
“But he didn’t want to run away,” Flynn said, knowing even as he protested that was exactly what his buddy had done.
“He was afraid,” Jonni said. “You accused him of being afraid to try more challenging acting roles and when he stepped up and did Mr. Benjamin, he was terrified. Then when we fell in love, he was terrified.”
“We’re a pair of cowards,” Flynn muttered.
“He overcame his fears,” Jonni said, “and you can, too.”
“I don’t know,” Flynn said, gazing across to the pool, where Erika and her brother were splashing one another at the far end.
“We never know what we can do until we do it,” Jonni said.
Suddenly she bent forward and grabbed her side.
Flynn knelt beside her. “Are you in pain?”
She nodded.
“Is it…is it the baby?”
She nodded. “I’m afraid.”
Flynn shouted for Beatrice and pulled his phone out to dial 911. The housekeeper bustled out, took one look at Jonni and told Flynn to get the kids out of the pool. Then she changed her mind and asked him to watch them and she’d go with Jonni in the ambulance.
“No,” Flynn said. “Where the hell is their nanny when we need her?”
“She has the night off,” Jonni whispered. “Please, I need to change. I’m not going to a hospital in a wet tank suit.” She rose just as the kids came charging their way.
“Uncle Flynn!” The children launched their wet bodies against him. Flynn tousled their wet heads and sent them into the house to change. They raced in ahead of Jonni and the housekeeper.
Flynn stood on the now ominously quiet terrace, telling himself not to let his worries get ahead of the facts. He called Cameron, hoping his friend would pick up.
The call went to voicemail.
He left a terse message to call him ASAP. He had to stay with Jonni, for Cam’s sake. Cam would never forgive him for not doing everything he could for her. Flynn heard the scream of a siren coming closer and strode into the house. Gritting his jaw, he walked toward the master suite. Jonni leaned against the door frame, one hand against her side. Flynn scooped her up and hurried toward the front entrance, murmuring words of comfort and silent prayers.
Sami lifted the keyboard cover on the Yamaha piano and stared at the black and white keys. She hadn’t played in so long. She stood there a long time before she reached out and touched her right thumb to Middle C. The heavily accented voice of her least favorite music teacher, Mrs. Eisenstein, sprang into her head. Practice! Practice! Practice! You vill never be perfect vithout you practice! Sami flinched and hastily closed the piano.
She hadn’t wanted to be perfect, only to enjoy the music she heard inside her head filling the room.
She sighed and wandered over to the broad windows. She’d enjoyed a delightful evening with Toya and her family and tomorrow she was going sailing with Chase and his parents. How much closer to perfect could her life be?
Ruby barked and ran to the door.
Sami whirled around. Could it be? Could Flynn have returned to Nashville? It would be just like him to show up without providing advance warning.
But why would she need a warning?
She rushed over to the door and flung it open.
Kyle stood there, one hand raised to knock.
“Oh. Hello,” she said.
“Evening,” Kyle said. “I saw your light on and wanted to let you know we’re hosting a function at the house next Saturday night. Completely slipped my mind to let you know there will be a valet service. Just let them know you’re staying here and they’ll let you park in your usual spot. But you’ll need to keep the dogs inside, I’m afraid.”
Sami nodded. “What time should I make certain the dogs are in?”
“By six to be safe.” He smiled. “Not that I expect your babies to make any problems. It’s just with the extra staff, we don’t want any potential complications.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure they’re in and if one needs to go out, it will be with me on the other end of the leash.”
“Thanks,” Kyle said. “Everything good here?”
“Lovely.”
“Haven’t seen much of Flynn Lawrence,” Kyle said.
“He’s back in Los Angeles.” And good riddance to him, Sami added to herself. What a fool she’d been, rushing to the door, expecting to see his goofy redheaded self with his dopey smile, his arms open for her to slip into his embrace.
“Ah,” Kyle said. “That explains it.”
Sami lifted a brow.
“Music business event next Saturday. We invited him but hadn’t heard a response.”
“He seems to be highly sought-after,” Sami said.
“He’s fire,” Kyle said. “If he decides to rep us, we’ll be set.”
“Oh,” Sami said, her mind going to Violet and her performance in the club. Had Flynn signed her? “I wish you the best, but I have no information on Flynn’s schedule.”
“Keeping my fingers crossed,” Kyle said and added a good-night.
Sami closed the door. She switched off the lights as she headed to the lavender bedroom. She needed a good night’s rest as she wanted to look “fire” for Chase.
And his parents.
Puck and Mam, she said to herself, pulling her nightgown over her head.
She was on the verge of meeting Chase’s parents and heading toward creating her very own family.
Who needed Flynn Lawrence anyway?