Anthony pushed down on the lever and his chair leaned back. He settled back, remembering the feel of Liza in his arms. She was an amazing lover, and though he didn’t know much about her personally, he wanted to know more.
However, if he decided to pursue a serious relationship, he had to weigh the risks, not necessarily to him, but to Liza.
“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing, Doc.”
But the truth was, he had no idea at all.
* * *
Liza gingerly stepped out of the shower. Though she’d had a restful sleep, her legs were still wobbly from the evening of lovemaking with Anthony. But it was the kind of ache she never wanted to go away.
What that man did to her body! And she’d loved every single, thigh-bumping, hip-slapping, lip-biting moment.
Though she didn’t know what lay ahead, she still hoped that they would see each other as often as their crazy schedules allowed. While he was busy at the hospital, she would keep busy ensuring that the construction of his clinic went smoothly.
Word was starting to get around about her one-woman architecture firm, and she’d had more interest from potential clients than she could handle right now. She felt bad turning down work, but her first priority was the clinic, and then other projects, including working with the historical society on the renovation of the old Bay Point School House.
Liza knew now that she had made the right choice to move to Bay Point. But she still had doubts about her relationship with Anthony. She knew he cared about her, he’d told her so countless times, but there was still something missing. The feeling of permanence.
At any moment, either one of them could decide that whatever they shared could end. That it wasn’t worth it; they’d had their fill of one another. That there was nothing left to give, and nothing left to receive.
She prayed that would never, ever happen, but it was always a possibility.
It was Sunday morning, and the sun had just risen. Maisie would be up and about making breakfast and Liza was starving, so she dressed, grabbed her phone and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” she said, cheerfully.
“Well! Look what set with the moon and rose with the sun. I missed you at dinner last night. We had a pretty lively crew.”
She smiled weakly. “Does nothing get past you?”
“Not usually, but no need to explain. This is one situation that is none of my business.”
Maisie raised her hand. “Besides, I can see it all over your face,” she continued. “I used to have a similar look after a night of good loving with my late husband. That man would rock me into the next county over.”
She doubled over with laughter, her head swaying back and forth. “God, he was good.”
“Shh,” Liza warned, mortified. “What about your other guests? What if they hear you?”
Maisie wiped the tears from her eyes. “A couple checked out yesterday, remember? As for the remaining guests, I’m assuming they’re not early risers, like you and I.”
Liza shook her head. “I guess I forgot.”
Maisie tapped the side of her head with one finger. “Just another sign you’ve got a doctor on the brain.”
She hid a smile of amazement. Did the woman know everything?
Maisie held up her palm, interrupting her thoughts. “Forgetfulness must be catching. I just remembered you got a message from Shelby last night.”
Liza raised a brow and followed Maisie to the small reception desk just outside the parlor, hoping nothing was wrong. Shelby was her best friend from college. She was scheduled to visit soon and Liza couldn’t wait to see her again.
“She called twice last night,” Maisie said, squinting. “She says she lost her cell phone and all her contacts, but she’ll give you a call when she gets a new one.” She looked up. “That’s the one who will be here in a few weeks, right?”
Liza nodded. “Yes. Thanks so much for letting her stay here. As I said, I’ll cover the cost of her room.”
Shelby had lost her job several months prior and hadn’t been able to find a new one. She was driving cross-country job hunting and sightseeing at the same time. Liza didn’t like the thought of her being alone, without a phone or a way to contact anyone.
Maisie smiled. “No problem. I’ll just add it to your bill.”
She looked Liza up and down. “I swear, girl, ever since you’ve been seeing the good doctor, you’ve been getting skinnier and skinnier. Join an old woman for breakfast, won’t you?”
Liza nodded, and they went back into the kitchen.
Maisie’s delicious home cooking would take her mind off Anthony, at least for a little while.
She headed for the coffeemaker, poured two cups, put two heaping spoons of sugar into one just the way Maisie liked it and set both on the table.
She watched as Maisie laid wide strips of bacon on the griddle.
“Anything I can do to help?”
Maisie scooped flour into a large blue bowl. “Melt a couple of pats of butter in the microwave for me.”
Liza did as she was asked and as the ministrations of making breakfast proceeded, little was said between the two women.
She took over cooking the bacon, watching it pop and crackle, and making sure that none of the residual grease ended up on her clothes or skin. When it was done, she carefully laid each slice side-by-side on a paper towel.
Liza sat down and took a sip of her coffee. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”
Maisie poured some milk into a large blue bowl, added flour and began stirring. “Sure, honey. What is it?”
“How do you know when a man really loves you?”
Maisie set down her spoon, and sat next to her.
“I was married almost fifty years to my husband, and he loved me till his dying day. I had a lot of flaws. One in particular, like talking too much.”
Maisie laughed. “When the thing you think will drive him away is what actually brings you together,” she said, patting her hand. “That’s when you’ll know.”
Liza smiled, and knew in her heart Maisie was right. It was time to stop worrying about the future and enjoy her relationship with Anthony right now.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you give the best advice?”
“What are friends for?” she said, with a smile.
Liza’s phone buzzed. She swiped it on and saw that she had a text message from Anthony.
Late dinner tonight?
Her heart skipped a beat, and she paused, fingers hovering over her phone, as she considered her response.
Yes. When and what time?
Lucy’s. Back patio. 9 p.m.
I’ll be there.
Liza wrung her hands in anticipation. She hadn’t expected to see him so soon, but their date tonight was further proof that he missed and cared about her.
“Good news?”
She looked up and nodded. “I hope so.” Remembering Maisie’s advice, she smiled brightly. “I know so.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
Maisie set down a platter of blueberry pancakes and bacon. “Now eat a good breakfast. Falling in love takes lots of energy.”
And a lot of courage, Liza thought, and dug in.
* * *
“How’s the roast chicken?” Anthony asked. He felt like a heel, asking such an inane question, but ever since Liza had arrived, he’d been strangely tongue-tied.
And oddly enough, so had she.
Conversation had been stilted during the appetizer phase of the meal, and completely shut down during the main course.
She met his eyes. “It’s fine, Anthony.”
Maybe she’s just hungry, he thought, but she had barely touched her food.
“Do you have to g
o to the hospital tonight?”
He shook his head. “No, not since I worked last night.”
She reached for his hand. “Maybe after dinner, we can go back to your place?”
She gave him a sexy smile that made him reconsider for a moment what he was about to say, but then he came to his senses.
He shook his head. “No, not tonight Liza.”
It was like they were playing some cat-and-mouse game. Still, he couldn’t ignore the hurt look in her eyes.
“Is it...because of me?” she asked. “Or something about me?”
He sat back in his chair, glad that he’d specifically reserved the back patio. He knew their conversation would turn personal at some point, and he didn’t want any prying ears or eyes.
“No, not at all.”
Liza fiddled with her fork, and he thought she was satisfied with his answer. So he took a sip of his wine, and began to finish his meal.
In a way, he was glad for the silence. He felt comfortable in it.
Suddenly, Liza pushed back her plate and blurted, “Why haven’t you ever asked me about my scar?”
Anthony looked up, and swallowed in shock. “What scar?”
She turned her face, lifted her hair. “This one,” she said, pointing to the side of her jaw. “Why haven’t you ever said anything about it?”
He set down his knife and fork. “Because I don’t care about it, but now that you mentioned it, how did it happen?”
Her eyes scanned the table, and then lifted to meet his.
“When I was in college,” she began. “I was trying to fit in with everyone, and I went with a few of my friends to a party at a frat house.
“Everyone was drinking too much, and a really good-looking guy started flirting with me. My friends got angry.”
“They were jealous,” Anthony offered. He wouldn’t be surprised. Liza was so beautiful.
She shrugged. “I suppose. Anyway, they started an argument, to draw the guy’s attention away from me, I guess. So I left the party alone.”
He reached for her hand and squeezed it. At that moment, Liza seemed so unsure of herself, and he wanted her to know that she didn’t have to be. He was with her.
Liza took a deep breath. “On the way back to my dorm, a man tried to steal my purse, and when I stupidly tried to hold on to it, he cut me on my jaw.”
Anthony drew in a shocked breath. “Oh no, Liza.”
“Luckily, my friend Shelby came along looking for me because she was worried. She was the only one of my college friends who wasn’t jealous of me. She called the police and the ambulance. If she hadn’t come along when she did...”
Her eyes misted over and her voice trailed off. Anthony squeezed her hand again, and waited until she was ready to finish her story.
“Were you hurt badly?”
Liza shook her head. “At first, I thought I was. The cut wasn’t serious enough for cosmetic surgery, which made my mother very angry.”
Anthony let go of her hand in shock. “Why?”
“She always wanted me to be perfect, with no flaws, especially on my face. She blamed me for the incident, saying that the guy had only been playing games with me. If only I’d realized that, she’d say, the attack wouldn’t have happened and it was my fault that I had a scar.”
Anthony shook his head, hardly believing that a mother could be so cruel to her own child. But deep down, he knew he shouldn’t be surprised. He knew from experience that some people would do anything in the name of beauty.
“The guy was obviously a maniac. Did you ever find out who it was?”
“No. But I’ve never forgotten him.”
He squeezed her hand again, though he wished he could take her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Liza.”
Liza had a faraway look in her eyes, as if she hadn’t heard him speaking.
“My mother died about two years ago from complications from cosmetic surgery. She spent her whole life and a ton of money trying to maintain her looks. Though I loved her, I realized, after she was gone, that she never truly loved me.”
Anthony felt his heart squeeze in his chest at the thought of anyone or anything hurting Liza. And at that moment, he knew he was falling in love with her.
“She was wrong, you know. About everything.”
“I wish I could believe that, Anthony,” she sniffed, and he could see she was trying to hold back tears. “But you’re a cosmetic surgeon. You’re in the business of beauty, of making people perfect. Don’t you expect perfection from me?”
He wanted to take her in his arms, but he held back, knowing now was not the time. He had to wait a little longer. He needed time to think about what his feelings for Liza meant for him, for her and for them.
“No matter what happens, Liza, in my eyes, you’ll always be beautiful.”
He never felt stronger about his words, which made what he had to say next even harder to do. He looked down at his half-empty plate and folded his hands.
When he looked up, Liza was dabbing at her eyes with her napkin.
“You make it sound as if I’m never going to see you again.”
He inhaled a breath. “Of course, we’re going to see each other again, but I think we need a break.”
Liza shook her head. “But why? I thought we had something good and right and loving.”
“We do,” he insisted. “I just need some time to process how I feel. Ever since I met you, you’ve been on my mind constantly, in a good way, but I’m afraid it’s going to affect my work. I feel like I’m off-balance in a way, and as a physician, I can’t afford to let that happen.”
He brought her hand to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. “You understand, don’t you?”
Anthony saw her lips quiver, and he couldn’t ignore the tears in her eyes. Yet, when she slipped her hand from his and walked out of the restaurant, he did what he came to do.
He let her go.
Chapter 14
Liza gathered her gown and stepped from her truck. She’d had the vehicle washed, but it still looked as though it had been through a dust storm. She ignored the smirk on the valet attendant’s face and handed him her keys.
Though construction was far from complete, Mayor Langston was throwing a small gala event at his family’s Spanish-style estate to celebrate the groundbreaking of several new Bay Point businesses.
She walked up the redbrick path, lined with eucalyptus and rose bushes.
The home wasn’t as large as she’d expected, but was gorgeous nonetheless, with huge windows and a porch on the second floor that looked like it wrapped around the entire house. The front doors were thrown open and she could see people in formal dress milling around.
Her heels were high and her steps were tentative, not with fear, but excitement. Anthony was just one of many owners who were the guests of honor.
She hadn’t seen Anthony, other than at the clinic’s construction site, for over two months. She missed him terribly, and her body ached with need.
She wasn’t even sure she wanted to go to the gala, until Maisie had practically pushed her out the door.
While everyone in town knew about their business relationship, only Maisie had a vague idea about their bedroom romps.
Since they’d agreed to take a break from being lovers and had gone back to being just business partners, he was distant, and it seemed like a storm cloud had rolled in and settled over his head.
Liza bit her lip and entered the open doorway, wondering how he would act around her that evening.
There was a large mirror in the foyer, and since the small entranceway was empty, she turned to view her reflection.
She’d chosen a full-length black gown with a plunging neckline, and had added a gold necklace with a thin, gold arrow pointing directly
to her cleavage. Blatantly sexy, yes, but Liza didn’t care. Maybe once he saw her in this dress, he’d remember what he was missing.
Liza turned and walked down a hallway with a low, curved ceiling. Pairs of bronze sconces dripping clear-glass crystals flanked the walls, creating a romantic glow. She could hear the low wail of a flügelhorn and the muted slap of an electric bass.
Toward the end of the hallway, she heard Anthony’s voice, and hitched in a breath when a woman’s voice quickly followed.
On her tiptoes once again, she caught a snippet of conversation and her stomach churned.
“...looks fabulous...” Anthony said.
“It’s all for you, honey” the woman cooed. “Your handiwork on display.”
Liza peeked around the corner and her brows knit together when she saw Eloise Bradshaw run her hands down the front of her body, then loop her arms around Anthony’s neck.
His handiwork.
Eloise must be a former patient of Anthony’s, that much she could gather, but what else was she to him?
Liza stepped back and slumped against the wall. She hadn’t seen the woman in months. Not since the ribbon cutting at City Hall, when Eloise had been hanging off Anthony like a Christmas ornament.
That night, Anthony had chosen to go home with her, not Eloise, yet the woman was still trying to poach her man.
She jerked her chin up. Maybe because Eloise doesn’t know Anthony is mine, she thought.
She chanced a peek around the corner and saw Eloise, her arms still around his neck, and her large, obviously fake, breasts pressed against his tuxedo.
“Oh, hell no!” she muttered under her breath, before sweeping into the small courtyard.
Eloise and Anthony were only a few feet away, standing in front of a bubbling fountain.
“Excuse me, do either of you know where the ladies’ room is?”
Her voice seemed to bounce off the walls of the room, but at that moment, she didn’t care.
Anthony turned around, a surprised look on his face, and he pushed Eloise’s arms away, as if they were on fire.
She watched with internal glee as Eloise stepped back, narrowed her eyes and glared at her, and then at Anthony, who looked visibly uncomfortable.
Winning the Doctor Page 15