Chapter 20
When we arrive back at the library, Sam is still talking to Kalina, but they’ve been joined by another couple in their late sixties or early seventies whom I don’t recognize.
The man has silver hair and a neatly trimmed beard, and he holds a cane that he grips with one hand and leans on.
The woman is slim and attractive, wearing a silky red skirt paired with an elegant sleeveless ivory cashmere sweater that looks better on her than my little black dress does on me.
Catherine volunteers to fetch us fresh drinks from the bar, while I weave through the thinning crowd to join them.
But before I get there, Dr. Burgess steps into my path, a cut glass tumbler full of what I assume to be whisky in his hand.
“Jordan.”
“Dr. Burgess.”
“I hope you don’t mind me intruding upon your evening.
” His eyes roam my body as if he’s judging my little black dress, which makes me more than a little self-conscious because the fit really is a bit too tight.
The corner of his mouth lifts into a half smile.
“I just had to come over and say hello when I spotted you.”
“I was hoping to slip back in unnoticed.”
“Not much chance of that.” Burgess finishes inspecting my attire—at least I hope that’s what he was inspecting—and locks eyes with me. The smile takes on the barest hint of a leer. “You’re a hard woman to miss with that mane of fiery red hair. It’s absolutely captivating, and so unique.”
“Thank you.” I squirm under his gaze.
“It reminds me of this waterfall in Yosemite. In February, when the sun catches the water just right, it glows like tumbling red lava.”
“Uh, thanks,” I say again. No one has ever compared my hair to lava before. It feels . . . creepy. I decide to put him in his place, ever so gently. “Whatever would Mrs. Burgess say if she caught you flirting with the neighbors?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. There is no Mrs. Burgess.
I’ve had a few loves in my life, but none of them have lasted.
” The doctor drops his gaze and the smirk fades, as if he realizes that he’s overstepped.
“Not that I was flirting. At least, not intentionally. If I made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
“You didn’t make me uncomfortable,” I lie, then glance past him toward Sam, eager to escape. “I should really join my fiancé.”
“Of course.” Burgess hesitates, then steps aside.
I hurry past him, relieved that the awkward encounter is over, and make my way across the room.
“Hey,” Sam says at my approach. “I want you to meet Frank and Jennifer Barnes. They live on the same floor as us.”
“We’re your neighbors in 4D,” Jennifer says with a wide smile.
“You’ve probably heard our TV,” Frank adds. “Jen is getting a little hard of hearing and has a tendency to blast the sound out.”
“I can’t say that we have,” I tell him, even as I remember the crying baby. I bet it was their TV I was hearing.
“Well, if we disturb you, just come over and bang on our door,” Frank says. “I keep telling Jen to use the Bluetooth setting on her hearing aids, but she never listens to me, pardon the pun.”
“Hush.” Jennifer gives her husband a playful tap on the arm. “I’m sure these folks don’t care about my hearing aids.”
“It’s fine. And we’ll be sure to let you know if the television disturbs us,” I say as Catherine comes back and hands me another drink. Sam’s glass is almost empty, and he glances toward the bar. I wonder how many Manhattans he’s had while we were gone.
“Frank and Jennifer were just telling me about a great brunch place,” he says, turning his attention back to the group.
“We were,” Frank says. “Kelly’s Kitchen. It’s only a couple of blocks from here, and the food is fantastic, especially the lobster eggs Benedict. It’s to die for.”
Sam downs the rest of his drink. “Sounds great, right? Might be worth trying this weekend.”
“We’ll see.” My mind is still on Catherine’s offer, and I’m not ready to make plans for the weekend just yet.
“We try to go at least once a month,” Frank says. “You should join us this Sunday.”
“Yes.” Jennifer nods eagerly. “That’s a fantastic idea.”
I’m about to say that we’ll let them know when Sam chimes in first.
“We’d love to join you.” He glances at me. “Wouldn’t we, hon?”
I force a smile. “Sure.”
“Great.” Frank looks pleased. “Shall we say nine a.m. at the restaurant? If you give me your phone number, I’ll text you the address.”
“Sure.” Sam rattles off his phone number.
“Got it.” Frank types it into his phone. “This is so exciting.”
“My husband loves his brunch,” Jennifer says. “And he likes it even better when he has someone new to go with. I think you’ve made his day.”
“We’re looking forward to it.” Sam turns his attention to Kalina. “You should come, too. I’d love to talk some more about the Wainwright.”
“I’d like nothing more, but unfortunately I have a prior engagement on Sunday.” Her pale-blue eyes catch Sam’s gaze and hold his attention as she speaks. “We could chat another time, though. With your experience, I believe you could help my cause immeasurably.”
“It would be my pleasure.” Sam shuffles his feet and looks down quickly, breaking eye contact. He drains the last, barely perceptible drop of liquor from his glass, then holds it up. “Time for a refill.”
When he turns and heads toward the bar, I excuse myself and follow.
“She’s something else, huh?” I say quietly, after he orders another Manhattan.
“Who?”
“Kalina. That dress left nothing to the imagination. And the way she was flirting with you?”
Sam shrugs. “Can’t say that I noticed.”
“Good answer.” I pat his arm.
Sam is silent for a moment and then nods. “You want to mingle?”
“Nah. I’ve had about as much mingling as I’m good for. How about you finish your drink, and we’ll go back up to the apartment instead.” I flash a seductive smile. “I can think of better things to do.”
Sam doesn’t need to be told twice. He tips his glass back, drains it, and puts it down on the bar. “In that case, what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”