She reached him. Pushed him against the counter, came up on tiptoes and fused her mouth with his.
Startled, his hands circled her waist to put her away.
He didn’t. Instead, he kissed her back.
* * *
Wondering what was takingPaxso long,Stephslid off the table and walked to the back area. At first, it didn’t click what she was seeing. Then she realized thatPaxand Noreen were kissing.
I was involved with her…
He’d confessed that after she’d first come to the clinic.
Steph’s breathing sped up and her eyes moistened. She froze for a minute, then quietly, she slid her coat off the hook and felt for the keys in her pocket. She turned and fled the room.
She didn’t let the tears fall until she got to her car. Noreen wasn’t just kissing him,Stephsaw, but he was kissing her back. His hands had gripped her at the waist.
Was this considered cheating on her? They’d never talked about exclusivity. She’d assumed she was safe with him. Well, it looked like she’d been wrong. Visions of him muddled her mind: getting the clinic ready; thebarbequeand their first kissafterward; the tender way he touched her intimately, then his passion…. It was no wonder she assumed they were exclusive.
Damn him.
She wiped her tears, started the engine and drove to Syracuse.
* * *
Camille Rousseau’s appearance belied the fact that she was a hotshot attorney. She was dressed in lilac-coloredknit pants and shirt, her beautifully cut and highlighted hair up in a topknot. She lived in a little house close to others of French origin and stores which specialized in French food.Stephhad knocked first, then used her key to unlock the door. They were best friends.
“Oh.”
“I didn’t mean to startle you.”Stephhad stopped crying but her upset must show on her face.
A frown marred Camille’s unlined brow. “Monamie.” She set down her cup, crossed toStephand hugged her.Stephcried again. Then drew back. “I can’t believe I’ve become a crybaby.”
Camille ledStephto the couch, sat her down and gave her the cup she’d held. “It’s tea. It’ll calm you.”
Stephtook a few sips.
“Does this have anything to do with that doctor you’ve been working with?” They talked often on the phone as well as having lunch and dinner when they were both available.
Tears moistenedSteph’s eyes again. She nodded. “Honestly. No man has ever reduced me to tears this way.”
“DonAckleydid, sweetie. Tell me what’s happened. I know you were opening the clinic today.”
“It was a grand success.”
“I’m glad. What went wrong?”
“After we closed, I walked back to the common area to get my things and I foundPaxkissing an old flame—a doctor—who’d volunteered at the clinic.”
“Quelbâtard.” The cursing was odd considering her sweet personality. Then again, they’d learned to swear together.
“I must have misinterpreted what happened between us.”
“Like hell. You told him you were falling in love with him. He knew how you felt.”
“He never said it back.”
“Is there a chance that this woman kissed him and he was unwilling?”
