Chapter 6
Kara knew this was her best opportunity to secure Brad Gates for herself. She was a bit disappointed he’d been reluctant to discuss more ambitious career opportunities, but he would come around eventually. He wouldn’t want to deal with the stress of Emergency Medicine for long. He was a perfect match for her—intelligent, tall, handsome, well-muscled. She didn’t much care for the way he cropped his hair short and wore a goatee, but that would be easy enough to change later on. She definitely wanted him to have a different style before the wedding, but that might be a year or two away.
She knew from the icy stares directed her way she wasn’t very popular with Brad’s friends. Of course these people were all Grace’s family, so they were understandably defensive. She hadn’t seen Grace’s brother and his fiancée yet—they were in the kitchen cooking. But she doubted she would be well received by them either.
Brad made introductions. “This is Dr. Kara Dickson, a colleague from work. Kara, this is Olivia Marshall. She’s in her second year of nursing school, and she plans to go on to medical school.”
Kara shook her hand, appraising her looks. Interesting. As petite as Grace was, her sisters were all very tall and thin. Not as tall as Kara, but all over five feet eight inches. Olivia was quite attractive, with sharp brown eyes and long brown hair flowing in loose curls. She could potentially become more competition for Brad.
Kara told Olivia, “Good luck with that. I guess if you don’t get in, you can just stick to nursing.” Olivia narrowed her eyes, pressing her lips together, as if biting her words.
Brad frowned and his voice was stern. “Olivia won’t have any trouble getting into medical school. She has a three point nine GPA, and she’s already taken Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry.”
He moved Kara to the next sister. “This is Hannah. She’s a sophomore in college. What are you studying, Hannah?”
“This week, it’s Journalism. I’m not sure what it will be next week.” She laughed, her auburn curls bouncing around in a fetching manner.
“Nice to meet you,” Kara said, turning her attention to the next sister in line. This one was younger, but returned her gaze with a no-nonsense stare. She had straight brown hair, cut in a fashionable angled bob. Her lips formed a straight line as she offered her hand to Kara.
“I’m Claire,” she said. “I’m a senior in high school, and I’m going to be an accountant.”
Kara had a sense this girl was ready to pick a fight, so she kept her response to a stiff smile. She turned her eyes to Grace, carefully schooling her expression to give no sign of recognition.
“You must be Grace. I’ve heard about you.” She was surprised when Grace simply turned her back and walked away.
Judging by Grace’s scowl, she must have realized her deception, recognizing Kara had given a false name and neglected to pass on the flowers and card to Brad. She was prepared to deny the entire incident if she reported it to Brad. She could handle the tiny spitball, no matter how angry she was. And her tall sisters appeared hostile as well, but they were of no consequence. Kara had plenty of contacts, highly influential and wealthy people she knew through her father’s business partner—the same man who’d given her his season tickets to the baseball game. She and Brad would have no shortage of friends. And they wouldn’t have to squeeze into a small dining room in a low-rent apartment every week for dinner. But Kara knew how to play the game.
“Mrs. Marshall, you have a lovely home. Thank you so much for having me. It’s so hard for me to be here in New York City while my family is all the way across the country in L.A. This just makes me feel so at home.”
“Oh, you’re welcome,” she said, blushing at the praise. “You can call me Connie. And this is my husband Joe.” Kara returned a brilliant smile. Common people were so easy to flatter.
From behind her, Brad muttered in Grace’s general direction. “I thought I was going to meet your new boyfriend tonight.”
“We’re not together,” said Grace.
“You mean he’s not here? Or you broke up?” Brad asked.
“We never got together.” Kara saw Grace’s face turn pink, contrasting with the strange orange-brown color of the hair peeking out from under the stylish hat perched on her head. She’d obviously had a hair-color mishap since she’d seen her on Tuesday. Kara was exultant Grace’s mistake had played into her plans to steal Brad from her. Really, it was too easy to be called stealing—Grace had practically handed him to her.
However, the next arrivals were Brad’s brother, Ben, and Josh Branson, who both regarded her with barely concealed enmity. Since Dr. Branson was her supervising physician, it wouldn’t do to be on his bad side. Still, he was a man—she knew she could handle him. He would soon be eating out of her hand. In fact, if things didn’t work out with Brad, she could always go for Josh instead. He was equally handsome, with blond hair instead of brown, and gorgeous green eyes. Although at the moment those intense eyes were studying her as if they could read her mind.
“Hello, Dr. Dickson,” said Josh through tight lips.
“Hello, Dr. Branson. I’m so honored you and Dr. Gates are including me in your dinner. I don’t think I’ve seen you out of scrubs. You clean up nice.”
“I’m surprised you have time to go to dinner. Shouldn’t you be studying for board exams?” Josh asked.
“I studied all day. I need a break.” She stretched to emphasize her fatigue and draw his attention toward her low-cut blouse. To her annoyance, Josh’s eyes never dropped from hers. However, Ben’s eyes were bugging out of his head. “And you must be Dr. Gate’s brother.”
Brad said, “Yes, Dr. Dickson. This is my brother, Ben. Ben, this is my colleague, Dr. Dickson.”
Ben cocked one eyebrow at his brother. “Your colleague, huh? Not your date?”
Grace appeared between them, having evidently been pushed there by one of her lanky sisters. She shifted her feet and cleared her throat a few times before she craned her head to look up at Kara. When she spoke there was a distinct quiver in her voice.
“So I thought your name was Leanne? When we met the other day at the hospital, I’m sure that was the name you gave me.”
Ever the consummate actress, Kara gazed at her, blinking with confusion. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Grace put her hands on her slim hips and straightened to her full minuscule height. “I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Kara continued her wide-eyed, straight-faced perusal of Grace. Despite her crazy hair-color, she was quite becoming. Her short hair only emphasized her huge hazel eyes. She knew she shouldn’t underestimate her opponent’s appeal. She was wearing a skirt with wedge heels that gave her a greatly needed boost in height, but Kara still had a five-inch advantage on her. Shaking her head, Kara said, “I’m really sorry, but we’ve never met before. You must have me confused with someone else.”
Mrs. Marshall said, “Grace, perhaps you shouldn’t make a scene.”
“You’re right, Mom. Leanne or Kara or whatever your name is... Would you mind stepping onto the porch for a moment?”
“Of course not,” said Kara. “We’ll get this all straightened out in a jiffy.” This was perfect—she could totally manipulate this girl if she got her alone. She followed Grace outside.
* * *
Brad almost threwhimself in front of Grace to prevent her from leaving the room with Kara. He felt like he was letting a kitten be alone with a wolf. He was only beginning to see the real Kara Dickson, but she seemed like a dangerous character. He was still staring at the door that closed behind them when Josh punched him on the arm.
“I can’t believe you brought her here,” Josh hissed in his ear.
Brad rubbed the knot on his bicep. “That was totally uncalled for. I brought her because I thought Grace was bringing Horatio. I still don’t understand what she’s up to. She’s changed so much in the past week.”
“She has not,” Olivia hissed, pushing her way between them. “She hasn’t changed at all. You guys had a good thing going and you just knocked her off the saddle. You can’t tell her you love her and talk about getting married after only dating for two months. Not with Grace, anyway.” She gave a pointed look to Josh, “And not with Charlie, either.”
She shook her finger in Brad’s face. “I can’t believe you brought that woman to our dinner. If Spencer figures out who she is, you may not get to be best man at his wedding.”
Brad bristled. “Grace could have at least had the decency to return my phone calls or texts. I wouldn’t have brought Kara if I’d known Horatio wouldn’t be here.”
“When did you call Grace? Yesterday?”
“Yes—five times. Five calls and five texts. I even told her I wanted to apologize in the last text. Obviously she doesn’t want to talk to me ever again.”
“Well, obviously.” Olivia’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Obviously the girl that already brought you flowers and a card and called you and asked to get together and talk when you flat out turned her down... Obviously that girl would refuse to return your phone calls and texts. Obviously there couldn’t be some other reason she didn’t answer you. Obviously, she couldn’t have left her phone on the subway yesterday.”
Olivia’s entire body quivered, and Brad had the distinct feeling she wanted to sock him in the jaw.
She jumped when Josh touched her arm. “Come on. Let’s go see if Spencer and Emily need help in the kitchen.”
With one last disdainful look at Brad, Olivia flounced into the kitchen behind Josh.
I’m a worm.
Ben tapped him on the shoulder. “I tried to tell you.”
“I never got the card and flowers Grace supposedly sent.”
“Yes, you imbecile, you didn’t get them because Kara Dickson intercepted them and told Grace her name was Leanne.”
He cursed under his breath. Why hadn’t he put two and two together? He could vaguely remember seeing Kara with some flowers on Tuesday. He’d been so devastated at the time he hadn’t paid close attention. He should have known Grace wouldn’t lie about something like that.
Ben smiled. “Yes, you are in some pretty deep stuff, all right. And by the way, you look like it, too.”
Brad knew his eyes were bloodshot. He was so desperate for sleep he was tempted to take a sleeping pill. “It’s not my fault—I didn’t know it was Kara.”
“You don’t have to convince me—you have to convince Grace.” Ben glanced toward the front door. “That is, if she survives this encounter with the shark.”
* * *
Grace swirledaround to face Kara, blood pulsing so loudly in her ears she could barely hear herself speak. “Don’t try to pretend with me—I remember you from Tuesday morning. I know you didn’t give my flowers and card to Brad.”
Kara’s face was impassive. “I have to say I don’t remember you at all. But that’s really not the issue here. The ultimate issue here is what’s best for Dr. Gates.”
“Well, you certainly aren’t what’s best for him. He doesn’t need a lying, conniving—” Grace stopped herself before the word left her lips. She hated the way this woman made her feel out of control. “A lying, conniving person for a girlfriend.”
Kara folded her arms across her chest and glared down her nose at Grace. “Let’s talk about your qualifications as Brad’s future wife. Surely you can see you’d be a disaster for him in the end. I mean, you’re cute, or at least you were before you messed up your hair. I can only see a few strands the hat doesn’t cover, but I know a bad dye-job when I see it.”
“I don’t believe Brad is so shallow he’d reject me based on a hair mistake.” Grace said the words with a conviction she didn’t quite feel.
“I’m saying your looks aren’t that important, although he should be concerned his future offspring might inherit your short stature. But that’s not what I’m worried about. Listen, you know Brad is from L.A., right? And that’s where his family lives, right?”
Grace nodded, not sure where this conversation was going, but all too aware she’d lost her angry momentum.
“So if he stays in New York at Mercy General, he has no future. He’ll never get to be head of Emergency Medicine, much less higher up in the administration.”
“But he likes what he does. He’s happy doing it.”
“Emergency Medicine is an exhausting field. Surely you’ve noticed how tired he looks tonight. Are you so self-absorbed you didn’t see the dark circles under his eyes? He’s only thirty. Imagine how it will be when he’s forty years old.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“He needs connections. That’s why he sought me out in the first place. My father is on the board at Central Hospital in L.A., where Brad’s family lives. Brad and I have known each other for three years since I’ve been in this residency. You’ve only known him for a few months. But since he met you, he’s abandoned his aspirations of returning to L.A. with me where his future promotion is almost assured.”
Grace pondered her words. Would he really give up his dreams just to please her? Did he really need Kara for her influence and connections? What about his connections here?
“He knows Steven Gherring, and he’s on the board at Mercy General.”
“Yes, but Brad has told me Gherring would never use his power to promote his friends at the hospital. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but Gherring won’t be any help for Brad.”
“I never asked him to sacrifice anything for me. I would probably move to L.A. if we ever got to that point.”
Kara’s smile was anything but benevolent. “But as I said before, my father is on the board at Central. Brad has a great future in L.A. if he’s with me. But if I drop Brad, someone else will inherit that great future.”
“But maybe he doesn’t want you, even if I’m not in the picture.”
One corner of Kara’s mouth lifted, a cross between a smirk and a sneer. “He was interested in me before you came along. But something tells me you’re holding out on him, keeping that little treasure in your pants as an enticement.”
Grace felt her face heating at Kara’s crass suggestive comment.
Kara continued, “I’ll tell you from experience, Brad will be interested until he gets what he wants, but eventually he’ll be bored and seek greener pastures. I’m okay with that. I know my future husband and I might occasionally have a little side entertainment—I can live with it. The question is… can you?”
“That’s not what marriage should be like.” Grace fumed. There was no way she believed Brad had that attitude toward marriage. Kara was lying again.
“Then we already know you’re not the right woman for Brad. So how long are you going to string him along? Will you keep him on the hook until he misses his opportunity for happiness? Are you going to keep him here in New York until he burns out at the age of forty? You know, even if he’s not with me, he needs to move away in order to move up the ladder. He’s already turned down an opportunity just this month because of you.”
“What if you’re lying to me? I don’t believe Brad would ever cheat on a woman he was married to. And I already know you lied to me about your name. And you lied to Brad about my card and flowers.”
“Fine—I’ll admit I met you before and I lied about my name. But I was only thinking about what was best for Brad, like you should if you care about him at all. Or maybe you don’t care about him. Maybe you just want to marry him for his money. I didn’t take you for a gold-digger, but—”
“I’m not a gold-digger—I care about Brad. But I’m saying being with me wouldn’t keep him from moving away.”
“You can’t tell me you really want to move across the country when your whole family lives here. Brad isn’t stupid—he knows it would make you miserable.”
“But why didn’t he tell me this himself? Why wouldn’t he tell me about needing to move away from New York?”
“You could always ask him yourself if you don’t believe me, but he’ll probably lie to protect you. Don’t you see? Brad is one of the few good guys out there. He’s willing to live a life of misery to keep you from being unhappy.”
“I’m willing to do that for him, as well. I don’t want him to be unhappy.”
“But he’s not willing to let you be miserable. So the only way Brad will ever be happy in the long term, is if he’s not with you. And yes, I’m sure I could make him happy, but I know he may not choose me. The point is you can’t make him happy, even if you’re willing to give up your family, because he won’t let you.”
Grace’s eyes began to fill up until Kara’s face was wobbling in her vision. “I don’t believe you,” Grace said, although she could see the logic of Kara’s arguments.
“You don’t have to take my word for it. Just take a close look at Brad’s face when you go back inside. You’ll see for yourself the toll his work schedule is taking on him. It breaks my heart.” A tear spilled down Kara’s face, and she swiped it away. Her voice cracked. “I’m sorry—I don’t usually lose control like that. But I just hate to see what’s happening to him.”
“It can’t be that bad,” said Grace, squeezing her eyes against a deluge of tears. “He would have told me if he was unhappy in New York.”
Kara sniffed a few times and dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. “Even though you’ve only known him two months, you know better than that. You know he’s the kind of guy who always puts other people first. He probably hasn’t even told Josh the truth because he wouldn’t want Josh to feel bad.”
“Why would Josh feel bad?”
“Dr. Branson got promoted over Dr. Gates. If it weren’t for Josh, Brad could probably stay here and move up at Mercy General. But you know Brad would never let Josh know he was disappointed.”
Grace felt a tight band around her chest. It was true. She knew Josh and Brad had been in competition for the top spot after their residency. But she hadn’t realized Josh’s selection last month meant Brad’s career in New York was stalled. It made so much sense. Brad needed to leave New York, but he’d never believe she’d be willing to go with him. Unless... Unless he believed their relationship was over, leaving him free to follow his dreams. After he found a new position in Los Angeles or whatever city he chose, she could let him know she was in love with him. If she came to him, fully aware he was leaving the city, he would understand she was willing to move with him. And it would be too late for him to turn down the job and sacrifice himself for her.
Kara sniffed a few more times. “I just... I just care so much about him. Thanks for understanding.” Kara laid her hand on Grace’s arm, but Grace recoiled at her touch, stepping back to glare at her.
“Don’t mistake my tears for weakness. I recognize you for what you are, and I don’t believe your affection for Brad in any way approaches your love for yourself. And whether or not Brad and I end up together, I promise he will be fully aware of your treachery. If he chooses you, knowing who you really are, then he deserves you.”
Kara’s stricken face morphed into an odious snarl. “Do you actually think I care about your opinion of me? I was trying to be nice, but now the gloves are off.”
Grace laughed, stalking back inside. “Watch out... People will see your claws.”
* * *
Brad knewhe was in trouble with Emily and Spencer the moment he walked into the kitchen. Spencer glared silently at him, but Emily had no shortage of words.
“What were you thinking? You knew Grace saw you kiss that woman at the baseball game, and then you brought her here to dinner? Are you just trying to hurt her?” Emily’s blue eyes shot daggers at Brad as she spewed out her accusations.
“I only brought Kara because I thought her boyfriend was coming. I didn’t know she wasn’t with him.”
“Yes, but you brought the woman that lied to Grace and stole her card and flowers. Olivia already told us.”
“Thanks for that.” Brad sent a sour scowl Olivia’s direction.
“How could you? I thought you said you loved her,” Emily said.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.” Brad balled his fingers into tight fists. “Olivia told me I couldn’t tell Grace I loved her because we’d only been dating for two months. But it seems I’m required to follow certain unknown rules to prove I actually do love her even though I’m not allowed to say it.”
Emily coughed out her exasperation. “Ha! And what’s so strange about that? Yes, girls require you to demonstrate your love for a while before we’re willing to accept hearing the words. It’s not that difficult.”
“It’s difficult if you don’t know the rules,” Brad complained. “Was it really such a sin I said out loud the words I was feeling?”
“No, it’s just hard to believe your feelings were genuine when you brought that woman with you, knowing how much it would hurt her.”
“Why isn’t anyone worried about Grace hurting me? She was the one who broke up with me and told me she was dating someone else. And believe me, it hurt.”
Emily’s eyebrows lifted as she folded her arms. “You certainly seemed to recover quickly from your terrible hurt—kissing another girl on national television a week later.”
“I didn’t kiss her. She kissed me.”
“Semantics,” said Ben from behind him, dodging the fist Brad shot toward his side. “Watch it! I’m already injured.”
“It’s getting old, Ben,” said Brad.
“No, it’s not,” chuckled Josh. “I hadn’t heard it yet.”
“Why isn’t anyone upset about her dating a guy and accepting a diamond ring from him in less than a week?” Brad had the distinct impression everyone had chosen sides, and no one was on his.
“I kind of figured she made him up.” Emily shrugged. “It wasn’t a real diamond ring. It was the kind that comes out of a gum-ball machine.”
“It wasn’t real?” Ben’s mouth dropped open.
“She did make him up,” said Olivia.
“And this would have all been over if Kara hadn’t intercepted the card and flowers,” said Josh.
“Wait a minute. She made him up? Isn’t anyone upset with Grace for lying about Horatio?” asked Brad.
“Technically, she didn’t lie,” said Olivia. “There is a boy named Horatio who’s in love with her, and he did give her a ring. But he’s only six years old, so I don’t think he’s a real threat.”
“Ha!” said Ben. “You got outmaneuvered by a six-year-old. That is so awesome.” His laughter grew, undeterred by Brad’s scowl, and the others joined him.
“I’m glad you’re all enjoying yourselves at my expense. It would be nice if someone were willing to help me out.” Brad tried to control his growing irritation.
“I tried to help you, but you wouldn’t listen,” said Josh.
Spencer finally spoke. “I’m willing to help, but I think it may be too late. Bringing that woman to dinner may have been the last straw.”
“I’ll help you,” said Emily. “But only because I feel sorry for you because you look so terrible. Have you been sick?”
Brad rubbed his forehead. “If you must know, I’ve hardly slept since she broke up with me.”
“Shhhhh!” said Olivia from her listening post near the kitchen door. “I think Grace and Kara are back inside.”
Ben continued in a low voice, “Maybe if we can just get through dinner, you can get Grace alone long enough to apologize and talk to her.”
“I’ll even distract Kara for a while,” said Josh, “although you’ll owe me big time. I don’t know what you see in that woman.”
“She’s beautiful, of course. That’s what Brad sees in her,” said Olivia.
“I don’t think she’s beautiful.” Brad stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I think Grace is beautiful.”
Olivia’s mouth quirked up on one corner. “I hope you still feel that way when she takes her hat off.”
* * *
Grace feltBrad’s eyes on her during the entire dinner. She kept hers glued awkwardly to her plate, only speaking to give monosyllabic answers to direct questions. Kara, however, was animated and charming, flattering almost every person at the table, including all three of her sisters. She even directed a few veiled compliments toward Grace, enjoying her obvious discomfort.
“Grace, I absolutely love your hat!” said Kara. “I’ve tried to wear them myself, but my hair is just so long and straight they never look good on me.” She flicked a heavy tress over her shoulder. “But with your short, wiry hair, hats look great.”
“Gee thanks,” muttered Grace, acutely aware of the blood rushing to her face.
Olivia’s expression was the epitome of if looks could kill. “Kara, I’m so glad we’re getting to know you. When I first met you I thought you were a… Well, let’s just say I thought you were stuck-up and malicious. But now, after seeing an example of just how kind and thoughtful you are, I know I really underestimated you. Stuck-up and malicious wouldn’t even begin to describe you. I mean, you are just soooooooo malevolent! Oh, I’m sorry, I meant to say benevolent.”
Hannah and Claire giggled, but their mother’s eyebrows furrowed. “Olivia... I think you’ve said quite enough.”
“But Mom,” said Olivia with wide eyes. “I was only complimenting Kara, the same way she complimented Grace.”
“Mom. May I be excused?” asked Grace. She couldn’t handle the stress for another moment. And it was killing her to sit across the table from Brad when he was sitting with Kara.
Connie put her hand on Grace’s arm. “Before dessert? Are you not feeling well?”
“I’m just not hungry.” Grace spoke the truth, having pushed her food around on her plate for the duration of dinner.
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll come check on you in a bit,” said Connie.
When Grace stood up to leave the table, she saw the satisfied smirk on Kara’s face. But Brad rose as well. “I’ll walk you out. I’d like to talk to you before you disappear.” Grace saw the smirk hop from Kara’s face to Olivia’s.
By the time Grace slipped into the den with Brad following closely, her heart was hammering and her hands were perspiring. “Grace? Could we sit for a minute?” Brad indicated the couch with his outstretched hand.
“Okay.” Her voice sounded quivery, and she took a deep breath to steady herself as she perched on the end of the couch.
Brad took up a position so close she could feel his warmth radiating from his legs. He reached out and picked up her hand between both of his, holding it firmly when she tried to pull away. “Grace, we need to talk.” He closed his eyes as he drew in a lungful of air and let it whistle through his lips. “I tried to call you yesterday, but you didn’t answer or return my calls.”
“That’s because I lost my phone. I left it—”
“On the subway,” he finished for her. “I know that now. But I didn’t know that when I invited Kara to come to dinner. I also didn’t know Horatio wasn’t real or that Kara was the one who prevented me from getting your card and flowers.”
“It’s okay. I’m not mad at you. I can understand why you would date her. I mean, she’s smart and beautiful.” Grace chewed on her lower lip, trying to tamp down her jealousy. “She’s tall, too.”
“I’m not dating her.”
“Well, I know you quit dating her when you started dating me, so it’s natural that—”
“Did she tell you that? Did Kara say we were dating before I started dating you?” Brad’s blue eyes glinted like steel as his jaw clenched.
Grace swallowed hard at his palpable fury. “I... I think she just said you were interested in her before I came along, but she implied you and she had... that you were... you know... together.” She felt her cheeks burning.
Grace was shocked to hear him curse. “Kara was lying. You shouldn’t believe anything she said. I’m just now realizing how low she’ll stoop to get her way.”
“Then, you never considered going back to Los Angeles with her to work at Central Hospital?”
“No way! As far as I’m concerned, Kara Dickson would be a major deterrent to working at Central Hospital. And I’m sorry I brought her here. And I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you Thursday night. And I’m sorry I talked to you about being in love and getting married. I know it’s too early to think about that. Okay?”
“Okay.” Grace felt hope blooming as he squeezed her hand.
“Grace?”
“Huh?” She looked up through her lashes to find his face close to hers.
“Can I kiss you?”
“I don’t know—”
Brad swallowed her protest as he pressed his lips to hers. All objections flew out of her head as a dizzying sensation overwhelmed her. With only the lightest tender touch of his mouth against her lips, she felt a tingle spread from her neck down her spine. His fingers rose to gently caress her cheek. He pulled back a fraction and whispered, so close she could feel his breath on her face.
“Grace, I like you a lot.”
The warm feeling building inside Grace was replaced by a sudden chill. Had he changed his mind about loving her? Her crazy reaction to his profession of love must have caused him to take a step back. Now she recognized her own feelings of love for Brad, he no longer felt the same.
Before panic could overtake her, Grace clamped down on her emotions. Wasn’t it a good thing if Brad was only in “like” with her? It could keep her from wishing for something permanent—something she knew was unlikely. Although, she’d begun to hope it might be different after she finished her master’s degree.
Brad rested his forehead against hers, with one hand holding her face toward him. He moved slightly to brush his lips against hers again. “Do you like me too?” he asked, his voice sounding uncertain in the wake of her silence.
“Yes, I do.”
“I’m glad.” He smiled as he kissed her again, torturing her by bestowing only the softest amounts of pressure on her mouth, feathery caresses against her desperately seeking lips.
Grace pulled away from his embrace to force a sense of reason into her head. She attempted to slow her breathing as she studied Brad with wary eyes. To her great distress she realized he looked exhausted, as if he were recovering from some lingering illness. There were shadows under his bloodshot eyes, and his face appeared thin and drawn. So at least one of the things Kara had told her was factual. Grace had to find out if anything else she’d said was true. Was his job schedule wearing him out? Was he really giving up his hopes and dreams by remaining in New York City? Was he sacrificing his happiness for hers? She had to find out the truth. She would do whatever it took to ensure Brad got the life he deserved, even if she risked not being a part of his future.
* * *
Brad feltlike a bundle of dynamite waiting for a spark. His nerve endings were on high alert, sending out lightning bolts each time his lips contacted hers. He was determined to stay in check, holding himself back from the urges that almost overwhelmed him. He had to take it slow with Grace. Now that he had her back, he had to be careful not to scare her off again. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to speak of love again for a long time, and he certainly wouldn’t mention marriage. He was so relieved there hadn’t actually been another guy. Well, technically there was another guy, but he was only a six-year-old. He tried to relax his tense muscles as he eased against the back of the couch, keeping a close eye on Grace lest she attempt to flee his presence.
He saw her chewing on her bottom lip the way she always did when she was worried about something. To him it was an adorable habit. He spied the funny-colored hair peeking out the hat he’d knocked askew. He grinned and cocked his head to the side.
“Let me see it. Take your hat off.”
She grabbed it and tugged it down tight over her hair. “No way.”
He laughed and tickled her side until she tried to fight him off, leaving her hat unguarded. He snatched the hat from her head and held it out of reach.
“You rat!” She covered her head with her hands.
“Stop,” he said, pulling at her hands. “It’s not that bad.”
“It’s awful,” she moaned, giving up and collapsing against the couch in defeat.
“It’s just hair,” he said, grinning. “It would take a lot more than that to make you look bad. And anyway, it’ll grow back.”
“I look like an orange wicked witch.”
He laughed and shook his head, “No, Kara is the wicked witch. I’m so sorry I didn’t realize what she was like. Can you forgive me?”
“Sure, but...”
“But what?”
“Well, Kara mentioned something about you going back to California where your family is.”
“Don’t believe anything she said. I’m staying right here in New York City.”
“Okay, but don’t you need to move somewhere in order to move up?” Grace sat up straight, holding herself stiff and unyielding with a scrutinizing gaze as she awaited his answer.
Brad considered how he should respond. He knew she wouldn’t want to stay in a long-term relationship if he left the city, and he loved New York. He had no desire to leave, especially since his brother was making noise about moving there. In fact, he knew he had a good chance of eventually making chief of the Emergency Medicine Department at Mercy General. Most people assumed Josh would eventually snag the job, but he knew Josh had become enamored with surgery and had plans to work a few years in emergency medicine before doing a cardiac surgery residency. This was privileged information, and he couldn’t share the secret with Grace. But all he really needed to do was assure Grace he wouldn’t move away from New York City.
“I might be able to move up at Mercy General.”
“But what if the only way you could advance was to move somewhere.”
“Look, I don’t want to scare you again by talking about us in the long term. But if we stay together, I promise not to move from New York City.”
“But that’s the thing, I’m telling you I’d be willing to move if we stayed together.” Grace’s eyes were wide and she had a stubborn tilt to her chin.
“But Grace, you wouldn’t be happy if you left the city—all your family is here.”
“I’m telling you, I’d be fine. I’d even move to Los Angeles if I needed to.” Why did she look so frantic? Why was she so concerned he would break up with her and leave the city?
“No Grace, you wouldn’t be happy, at least not in the long term. But I understand that, and I would never ask you to leave. I’m not planning to break up with you for any reason. I’ll keep working at Mercy General. If I get an offer from some other city, I won’t accept it. In fact, I had a good offer last month and turned it down.”
“But what if it was your dream job? What if it was exactly what you wanted? What if it was the best job in the country, with really good pay and really good hours? Then you would need to move somewhere, and I’m telling you I’m perfectly willing to move. I could Skype with my family every day. I would be happy. You don’t have to sacrifice your happiness for mine.”
Now her eyes were shimmering with tears and her breathing was rapid. Why was she so upset about this issue? He had to reassure her somehow. He reached out his hand to cup her jaw gently, smoothing her tightened lips with his thumb until he felt them relax. He gradually slid his hand around to the back of her head and pulled her forward as he leaned in to place a chaste kiss on her soft, pliant lips. He willed her to feel all the assurance and security he could give her in the promise of his kiss. He held his passion in check. Perhaps the hair mishap had made her feel more insecure. She mustn’t think his sentiments were built on base, physical desire and attraction. She needed to know his feelings wouldn’t change if she gained weight or changed her hair. He put all of his love and devotion into the caress of lips against hers.
He could sense when the tension left her body and she began to lean into him, responding with a sincere, urgent passion. His heart exulted. He’d done it—he’d broken the anxious barrier she’d erected. Her lips parted, and he heard the faintest of whimpers. He deepened the kiss, unable to resist her earnest invitation. Her hands rose to lock around his neck, holding tight as if to keep him from moving away. When he felt her tongue teasing tentatively against his, he couldn’t help the groan that erupted from his chest. He could feel his hunger building into a threatening tidal wave, and he broke the kiss before he lost control. But instead of pulling away, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her trembling body into a sweet embrace.
Holding her as his heart pounded against her and her breathing began a gradual slowing from frantic pants, he chuckled. “Wow Grace, I have to fight with every ounce of strength to keep control with you.”
“Me, too,” she whispered, with her head still relaxed against his chest.
“So we’re good right?” Brad spoke the words into her hair. “You just need to know, as long as we’re together, I won’t even consider taking a job away from New York. I won’t apply and I won’t look at any other offers. No matter what. Even if it’s my dream job. Okay? So just quit worrying.”
As he spoke the words he felt her stiffen in his arms, and he heard a small sob escape her lips. How did he mess up this time?