A willowy blonde with a stylish Tumi bag
slung over one shoulder launched herself into Derian’s arms. “Dere. I can’t
believe you got here first.”
Emily hastily stepped back, but not before
she registered the unbridled excitement in the blonde’s eyes as she kissed
Derian soundly on the lips.
“Why didn’t you call me when you got in!” Aud
scolded, one precisely etched brow arched in exasperation.
Derian slid an arm around the blonde’s waist,
her expression lighter than Emily had seen since she’d arrived at the hospital.
“I tried. Did you check your voice mail?”
“Actually, no. I just got off a plane an hour
ago and headed straight over here. I wasn’t in the mood for business messages.
Sorry.”
“You never were very good at that anyhow. For
a lawyer, you’re really hard to get a hold of.”
“Self-protection.” The blonde glanced at
Emily and held out her hand. “Sorry for being so rude. I’m Audrey Ames.”
“Emily May, one of Henrietta’s agents.” She
drew back farther. “I should probably go—”
“Aud, Emily is a friend,” Derian said,
tightening her grip on Emily’s elbow so she didn’t bolt the next time the
elevator opened. “Henrietta is stable, and we were about to sneak out for some
dinner.”
“That’s great news,” Aud said. “Do they know
what happened?”
“Looks like her heart. She might need
surgery, but the verdict is open there,” Derian said.
“Oh. I tried to reach your father, but he
wasn’t returning my calls.”
“Not surprising. He’s been here, but I think
he just came by for a sit rep.” Derian’s expression darkened. “You know how
that is.”
Audrey sighed, her expression sympathetic.
“Derian, you’re going to have to make peace someday.”
“I don’t know why,” Derian said lightly,
although her tone held no humor.
“Your head’s as hard as ever, I see.” Audrey
sighed. “I’m going to peek in on HW before I touch base with the family.”
“Right. Have at it. We’ll catch up tomorrow?”
Audrey leaned close and kissed Derian’s
cheek. “Absolutely. You’ll be at the apartment?”
Derian nodded.
Aud sketched a wave and strode away.
“If you’d rather wait for her,” Emily said,
“I completely understand.”
Derian regarded her quizzically. “You seem to
think I’m going to let you break this date with me, but it’s not going to
happen. We’re going to dinner.”
Emily’s lips parted. “I don’t believe we
mentioned anything about a date.”
“All right, I stand corrected.” Derian
grinned. “But we’re still having dinner.”
“As long as we understand each other.”
“For the moment, we’re in agreement.” Derian
held the elevator door open for her. “Dinner. No date.”
Chapter Six
The dark sky surprised Emily when they stepped
outside the front entrance of the hospital. She’d known, rationally, she’d lost
the day to anxiety and memories and, most recently, a curiosity she couldn’t
shake about the woman beside her, but the black, cloudless night was still
unexpected. She glanced at her watch to orient herself—almost seven p.m.—and
started toward the line of cabs by the corner. Derian caught her arm, and she
slowed.
“Hold on.” Derian glanced at her phone. “Our
ride will be here in nineteen seconds.”
Emily laughed. “Uber?”
Derian grinned. “I never like standing in the
road waving my arm and hoping a cab will take pity on me.”
“No, I can’t see you wanting to wait on
anyone’s pleasure.” Emily stumbled. And hadn’t that come out in just the worst
possible way? “And please disregard that comment right now.”
“I will, since it’s totally inaccurate.”
Laughing, Derian slid her hand under Emily’s elbow as a black Town Car slid to
the curb. “Here we go.”
To cover her embarrassment, Emily forged
ahead. She’d never had so much trouble making casual conversation in her life.
She didn’t do it often, but she’d never tripped over her own words the way she
seemed to do with Derian.
“Watch your step,” Derian said, her hand tightening
on Emily’s arm. “He managed to park in a puddle the size of the Mediterranean.”
“Thanks.” Emily avoided the small lake as a
tendril of heat snaked down her arm. She still found Derian’s casual
physicality a surprise, and her own sliver of pleasure mysterious. She
certainly didn’t need assistance walking across the sidewalk, but she liked the
way Derian’s body pressed against hers as they moved. The connection was
entirely in her mind, of course. Derian
