Not Planning on You (Danvers #2)(27)
Suzy held up her hand, stopping him. “Why do you have a new number?”
Gray shifted as if uncomfortable with her question. “I’ve just been getting some annoying sales calls and wrong numbers. I thought getting a new number would solve the problem, no big deal. Anyway, please take it easy while I’m gone, and I’ll call you every chance I get.” Before Suzy had a chance to question him further, Gray took her mouth in a kiss that left little room to concentrate on anything else.
All too soon he was gone, and Suzy was left with nothing but one very amused sister. “Go on, I know you’re dying to say something, so let’s hear it before you explode.”
Laughter shook Beth’s body, all attempts to act innocent lost. “It’s just funny to see you over there mooning over some guy. I’m used to seeing men look at you with that same expression when you blow in and out of a room, totally oblivious to the drooling stares of every man in it.”
“You’re crazy; I’ve never been one to lead men on. I’ve been in a relationship for most of my dating life so I’m hardly the serial dater.”
“Oh sister, dear, I’m not talking about going from one man to the next. I’m just saying that wherever you go, men want you. I doubt you have entered a room in your entire life and not immediately had the attention of everyone in it. That’s one of the things I love about you, you’re totally clueless to the allure you hold with the opposite sex. You of course um…dress to impress, but you don’t do it for anyone’s benefit; it’s just who you are. If you wore a sack instead of your usual attire, men would still be falling all over themselves to get your attention, and you probably wouldn’t notice.” With a fond smile, Beth added, “and that’s what makes you so special. I feel sorry for people that never know that about you.”
Suzy was touched by the sincerity in her sister’s voice. It was true; she never really noticed attention from men unless they were very obvious about it. Most would probably say she dressed just for attention, when in reality she dressed like she did because she’d always enjoyed having her own style, and if she was honest with herself, she also knew her parents would be appalled so that made it even more rewarding.
The sound of the front door opening startled them both until they heard Nick’s voice boom out, “Hey ladies, your chauffer is here.”
Beth looked down-right panicked as she demanded, “What’s he doing here?”
Before she could answer, Nick walked into the living room giving them both a dazzling smile. “Gray said your appointment for your cast is at ten this morning. If you behave yourself, we will grab some lunch afterwards. I know you must be going crazy stuck in this house.”
With that offer, Nick officially moved to the top of her list of favorite people. She still felt like she’d survived a fight with a pit-bull, but the thought of being off the couch for a while today sounded heavenly. Beth’s eyes were frantically darting around as if trying to tell her something. She didn’t know what her sister’s problem was with Nick, but for this one day, she was just going to have to suck it up. Apparently she’d sell her sister out in a minute for a big greasy cheeseburger.
Suzy insisted on using her crutches on her way outside to Nick’s Car. When they reached the curb where he was parked, she burst out laughing, while Beth looked around in confusion, obviously refusing to accept that the vehicle in front of them was Nick’s. Sitting at the curb in all its glory was a blue mini-van.
Nick had the grace to at least look embarrassed, which was probably a new feeling for him. “Ok, ladies, have your fun, but I’ll have you know I lowered myself to this level for you. My car is in the shop and the only loaners available were either a two-door or this lovely family car. This baby comes complete with passenger airbags, a DVD entertainment system and can go from zero to sixty in about five seconds.”
Suzy could hardly catch her breath she was laughing so hard. Beth had joined in by this time, and Nick stood next to them on the sidewalk looking at them in disgust. Suzy managed to get control of herself, saying, “Come on Beth, let’s load up in Nick’s grocery-getter before we miss my appointment.” As she reached for the back door, Beth was there listing all of the reasons that she should sit in the back and Suzy should take the front. Finally, after she threatened physical violence with her crutches, Beth reluctantly took up the shot-gun position beside Nick after helping Suzy settle in the back of the van.
Suzy spotted the DVD player and was unable to resist asking, “Hey Nick, do you have any movies in here? Maybe Barney?”
With a chuckle, Nick said, “very funny, but I wonder who would have been laughing if you and the princess up here had to fold yourselves in a two-door compact car.”
From where she was sitting, Suzy saw Beth’s head whip towards Nick at his ‘princess’ comment. That’s just what she needed, these two hating each other. She should talk to Nick about taking it easy on Beth; he probably didn’t understand how sensitive she was to comments that she thought were negative in any way. Maybe it was time to give Beth the same advice she’d given Claire—‘get laid.’ That had actually worked out pretty well, she thought with a satisfied smile.
Chapter Eleven
They arrived at the doctor’s office with only a few minutes to spare before her appointment. Beth walked up to the window to let them know they had arrived and Nick helped her into a seat. Beth sat on one side and Nick on the other as if they were using her as a buffer between them. Both Nick and Beth stood when the nurse called her name. Beth gave him her best eye roll and said, “I think I can take it from here. Why don’t you go sit in your mini-van until we are finished?” Suzy snickered, even though Beth wasn’t usually so rude. The nurse tried to hide her smile, plainly amused by a man who looked like Nick driving a mini-van.