Read Write On Press Presents: The Ultimate Collection of Original Short Fiction, Volume II Page 44

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  Nick congratulated himself as he sat down at the table reserved for the hospital. His date, Noel looked stunning in a strapless black dress that fell to the floor. She was just the ticket to remind him of where his mind should be.

  She had overdone it a bit with the jewelry, but then he never expected anything understated from her. He watched his sister roll her eyes as she caught sight of his date and he smiled. His sister still held out hope that he would settle down and have his happy-ever-after like she had.

  Nick chose a chair next to her and his brother-in-law, Drew while Noel headed to the ladies room.

  “Noel again? I thought that was over.” His sister whispered.

  He raised his eyebrows slightly. “What? You don’t care for Noel?” Smiling he added, “Not to worry Claire. We’re friends. She’s dating around.” If she noted the lack of the word ‘just’ before friends she didn’t comment.

  “Tell me how Savannah and Brendan are. I haven’t seen my niece and nephew for ages.”

  The question succeeded in diverting his sister’s attention from his date to her favorite topic. Noel rejoined them freshly powdered and primped. She immediately began prattling on about the latest fashion show she attended and how fabulous this season’s pieces were.

  He tuned her out for a moment and studied the room. It was huge, with tables stretching from one end of the banquet room to the other. Nick could barely see the tables across the room due to the dance floor that sat smack in the middle of the room.

  Brian had done a bang-up job as usual. Everything was top dollar, which was good since it was a very pricey-per-plate fundraiser. The tables were outfitted in black cloth tablecloths with crisp white napkins. Crystal stemware dotted the place settings. A single white rose sat on each table, elegant in its simplicity. The dance floor itself was polished to a high sheen, making the wood gleam.

  This was an important fundraiser—dinner and dancing with all the mover and shakers of Brighton. They were all there.

  Nick could see the band instruments set up on the stage near the dance floor. So there would be dancing after dinner. Good. Noel was an excellent dancer. He found himself relaxing.

  Most of the doctors from Brighton General had joined the table by the time the waiters began circulating with wine. He noted that Jessica Holbrook’s place setting was directly across from his. Terrific.

  Wait...place setting? As in one? What the—

  Before he had time to ponder what that meant he saw Brian in the distance heading their way. His date looked like a knockout. Nick felt his smile freeze as he recognized Jesse.

  “Look who I found wandering outside.” Brian had his arm around Jesse in a protective gesture as he pulled her chair out for her.

  She looked incredible. Her hair hung down her back gleaming, reminding him of how she looked in high school. Her skin was flawless with smoky eyes and cheekbones slanting up to kingdom come.

  The dress she wore reeked of style and money. The smooth white line flowed from her collar bones to her ankles, cool and sleek. He caught a glimpse of a long, tanned, slender leg through the slit of the dress and felt a very male reaction kick in. The amber choker around her neck added fire to the look, and made her cheeks glow. Finally his eyes settled on her lips—full, almost bare of color, they took his thoughts in a direction he had been desperately avoiding. Savagely he thought, where the hell is her husband, and why would he let her out of the house looking like that without him?

  “I’m sorry I’m late.” She sounded short of breath and seemed to be focusing on the side of the table where he wasn’t.

  In a foul mood, he strove to hang on to his manners as Noel attached herself to him like a suction cup. It was as if she sensed something. Cooing in his ear and wiggling closer she did her best to place her stamp of ownership on him to all that might be interested. Suddenly Noel looked cheap and flashy.

  He noticed during dinner that his sister and Jesse were hitting it off in a big way. Great, welcome to the family.

  Again, where the hell was her husband?

  Dinner seemed to stretch on forever, filled with moments of silence and polite conversation. Finally, dinner was cleared, candles were lit and the lights were dimmed. Soft strands of music began drifting out beckoning people to the dance floor. For a moment his eyes rested on Jesse in the candlelight, with the music floating between them.

  Her eyes moved slowly toward him as if she sensed his gaze. They stared, lost in each other’s eyes for a brief moment. He forced his gaze away as Noel quickly pulled him up and toward the dance floor.

  “You promised.” She pouted. How in the world had he ever considered her attractive? At best she was irritating, at worst shallow and materialistic. His face was expressionless as he led her on the dance floor.