Love's Second Chance (Second Chances #1)(31)
The people stared at me as I made my way through the crowd. It was no secret who I was, and what I did. My father was widely known in this community and well-respected. “Mr. Matthews!” a woman called out. I turned to see who had said my name, and a beautiful lady—probably in her late thirties—was headed my way. She offered me her hand. “Mr. Matthews, I’m Catherine, it’s so nice to meet you.”
I took her hand and shook it in greeting. “Hello Catherine, it’s nice to meet you, too.”
She smiled and stood a little straighter, making her oversized breasts perk out of her dress, and she started to move closer to me, maybe just a little too close. “I’m on the board of trustees and I wanted to personally thank you for everything that you’ve done. It’s going to bring about a new change to the hospital.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” I said. She smiled flirtatiously at me, and when I didn’t reciprocate she pouted a little and decided to try harder.
“I would love to hear more about you, and of course I could tell you about everything we plan on doing to the hospital because of you. If you didn’t bring a date would you mind if I sat with you to discuss it all?” I didn’t want to be mean and thankfully I was saved when the voice I’d been dying to hear spoke out behind me.
“As a matter of fact, I mind,” Korinne announced. “I happen to be his date for the evening.” I turned around to see her eyes burning with jealousy, and she was staring straight at Catherine. This was a side to her I hadn’t seen before.
Catherine’s mouth flew open, and then she narrowed her eyes at Korinne in a silent battle. She turned to me and smiled. “Maybe some other time then Mr. Matthews.” She winked and sashayed her way to the other side of the room.
“What did she want to talk to you about?” Korinne asked curiously, with a jealous tone imminent in her voice. “I was beginning to think blondie there was going to get down on her knees and worship you … among other things.” She mumbled the last part, but I heard her clear as day. Korinne was elegantly dressed in a form-fitting, black sequined evening gown with her arms crossed at the chest. She looked amazing and pissed. I began to feel somewhat hopeful, since she had gotten jealous over another woman. “What are you doing here by the way?” she questioned.
Before I could open my mouth to speak, Richard’s voice came out over the crowd. I guess she would find out why I was here in just a moment. “Ladies and gentlemen, will you please take your seats.”
“Shall we?” I said, motioning to the chairs behind us.
She gave a small smile. “Sure.”
We took our seats side by side, and thankfully she didn’t move away from me when I sidled closer to her. Even if it was just a simple touch, it made me happy to be next to her. Richard’s voice boomed across the crowd. “We’re here tonight in appreciation of our wonderful doctors and staff. They’re love and dedication to their patients has made our hospital one of the best in the United States.” Murmurs of agreement floated through the crowd. Peeking over at Korinne, I noticed her shoulders were stiff as boards and her face was void of any emotion. I could tell she was trying to be strong by acting distant. Reaching over, I gave her hand a brief squeeze so she would know I was there to support her.
“Another reason we’re here is to celebrate a new plan that is effective immediately. Starting tomorrow we have several new doctors and nurses that will be circulating through our hospital halls. We were given an extremely generous donation from an amazing gentleman who wanted it to be placed in one of our former doctor’s memory.” Korinne gasped lightly beside me, and it was her this time that grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly. “This lovely donation is the reason we could fund this new plan in Dr. Carson Anders’ memory. His passing was a tragedy, and we’re doing this to help prevent things like this from happening again.”
A tear escaped from the corner of Korinne’s eye, but she was still holding herself up strong. I knew it had to be hard for her not to break down, but she still listened intently to Richard’s speech. “The board would like to thank this generous donator with an award of appreciation.” Richard looked out at the crowd, and when his gaze landed on mine he smiled. “Everyone, I’d like you to show thanks to Mr. Galen Matthews.” Korinne sucked in a sharp breath and stared at me with wide eyes.
“Oh my God,” she murmured.
“I’ll be back,” I said. As I stood up the room erupted with the booming sound of everyone’s hands clapping. Richard handed me a plaque as soon as I walked up to the front. “Thank you,” I said to him, and to everyone out in the crowd. When my eyes veered to Korinne, I noticed her swiftly making her way out of the ballroom. Nodding to everyone, I left the stage to chase after her. Please let me make it to her in time, I said to myself. Dashing through the front doors, I was surprised to see Korinne standing there, motionless. Her back was to me but her gaze was locked on the city lights of downtown.
“Korinne,” I said softly. She didn’t speak, so I slowly moved closer and closer until I finally wrapped my arms around her. Twisting in my arms, she put hers around my waist, laying her head on my chest. It felt so good to have her there again.
“Thank you,” she whispered delicately. I ran my hands soothingly up and down her back, savoring in the time I had with her. There was no telling if she would be running away from me again.