Carol Steward - Second Time Around

“You can’t tell him the news now. I don’t want to overshadow his night.”

Bryan thought a moment, then turned to Emily. “Could you explain for us, Em?”

“I’ll tell him that Laura wasn’t feeling well, and I insisted you take her home. He wouldn’t dare argue.”

Laura broke into a wide smile, and exchanged a knowing glance with her husband.

“Don’t get any ideas. Just doing my job.” The two turned to leave, and Emily added, “Bryan, I want to see her on Monday, just to be on the safe side.”

“Consider it done.”

The two left, and Emily felt tears sting her eyes. This is ridiculous. You deal with pregnant women every day, Emily. Why should Laura be any different?

Emily sat down and took a deep breath, willing herself to relax. Other women came and went, and each time Emily claimed she had something in her eye. Finally, she dried the tears, then splashed cool water on her face. She allowed her eyes a few minutes to clear before returning to the table to get her purse and leave.

But the elegant decorations—calla lilies and spires of fresh greenery—had been cleared from the tables, and the guests were already gone. She must have lost track of time.

Kevin and his date were making their way toward her. Kristen released Kevin’s arm when he turned toward Emily. “How is Laura?”

“She wasn’t feeling well, so I insisted Bryan take her home.” Emily looked toward the table for her purse. As if reading her mind, Kevin produced it. His hand looked incredibly tender holding the tiny evening bag, and Emily felt emotion choke her throat. “Thank you.”

His gaze lingered, and Emily’s heart raced despite the knowledge that Kevin’s girlfriend had reclaimed her place beside him. “It seems your ride left already. Let us give you a lift home.”

“No. Thank you, anyway.” She glanced around, observing that the room was now filled with wait staff whisking dishes and linens into the back room. “I’ll call a cab.”

“It’s bad PR to leave a member of the clinic board waiting for an unreliable cab service.” He broke away from Kristen again, and pulled Emily aside. “Not to mention, I want to know what’s really going on, and why you’re upset.”

She glared at him. “Now’s not the time. You have a date.” The last thing she needed tonight was to share her private misery with Kevin.

“I think that’s up to me to decide.” His eyes drilled intimately through her. “Let me get Kristen’s coat.”

“What?” She stared at him in amazement. “When did you become so cultured?” The words slipped from her mouth. So far, they had both been careful not to reveal their past relationship, and she hoped Kristen missed the inference.

“You might be surprised,” he quipped, a teasing glint in his eyes.

When he returned, Kevin helped Kristen with her fake fur coat, then escorted them both to his truck. The awkwardness didn’t end when they all piled into the cab, with Kristen crowded into the middle.

Emily gave Kevin her address and asked if he needed directions. When he turned in the opposite direction, Emily glanced at Kristen. The woman’s resentment was apparent. “Kevin, I need to get home,” Emily insisted.

“I need to call it an early night myself. I’m sure Kristen understands, don’t you?” Kevin’s voice carried a tone that Emily knew all too well. The discussion was over. And from the look on his date’s face, so was their relationship.

Kevin pulled to a stop in front of the woman’s town house. Trapped between them, Kristen looked at Emily, as if it were obvious that she refused to exit the truck from Kevin’s door as she had entered.

“I—I’m sorry, Kristen,” Emily stammered as she got out to let Kristen exit. Kevin walked around the truck to escort his date to the door.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but tell Kevin not to bother calling back until it’s over for good this time.”

Emily stared at the woman, who turned and began walking so fast on her spiked heels that her legs wobbled. Kevin trailed behind, and didn’t seem surprised, moments later, to have the door slammed in his face.

Emily hurried to climb back into the truck before Kevin returned to help her. She hiked the hem of her dress an inch to step up onto the chrome running board, but her foot slipped. From the corner of her eye, she saw Kevin rush forward, too late to catch her before she hit the ground.

“Emily!” Kevin dropped to his knees beside her. “Are you okay?”

She groaned softly, rubbing the back of her head. “I can’t believe I did that.”

“Well, it’s a first for me, too. Never had a lady hurry just to avoid letting me help her get in. Guess that’ll teach me to take two women home at the same time, huh?”

Emily lay awkwardly on the cold ground trying to explain how she’d fallen, but finally her irritation won. “Oh, forget it,” she said, trying to get up gracefully. “Would you mind helping? Please.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder to hold her still and leaned closer to examine her head. “You sure we should move you?”

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