Reflected in You(112)

"Uh."


She glanced over her shoulder.


"It's best if you didn't."


"It doesn't bother me if you have company and I promise, this won't take but a minute."


"Eva."


She licked her lips.


"How do I say this .


?" My hands were shaking and my stomach was a quivering mess, my brain taunting me with images of Gideon standing naked behind her, their early-morning f*ck interrupted by the ex-girlfriend who wouldn't get a clue.


I knew how well he liked sex in the morning.


But then I knew him well, period.


Knew him enough to say, "Cut the shit, Corinne."


Her eyes widened.


My mouth curved derisively.


"Gideon's in love with me.


He's not f*cking around with you."


She recovered quickly.


"He's not f*cking around with you, either.


I would know, since he's spending all of his free time with me."


Fine.


We'd talk about this in the hallway.


"I know him.


I don't always understand him, but that's a different story.


I know he would've told you upfront that you and he weren't going anywhere, because he wouldn't want to lead you on.


He hurt you before; he won't do it again."


"This is all very fascinating.


Does he know you're here?" "No, but you'll tell him.


And that's fine.


I just want to know what you were doing at the Crossfire that day you came out looking as freshly f*cked as you do now."


Her smile was razor sharp.


"What do you think I was doing?" "Not Gideon," I said decisively, even though I was silently praying that I wasn't making a total idiot out of myself.


"You saw me, didn't you? From the lobby, you had a direct view across the street and you saw me coming.


Gideon told you at the Waldorf dinner that I was the jealous type.


Did you have a nooner with someone from one of the other offices? Or did you muss yourself up before you stepped outside?" I saw the answer on her face.


It was lightning quick, there and gone, but I saw it.


"Both of those suggestions are absurd," she said.


I nodded, savoring a moment of profound relief and satisfaction.


"Listen.


You're never going to have him the way you want.


And I know how that hurts.


I've been living it the past two weeks.


I'm sorry for you, I really am."


"Fuck you and your pity," she snapped.


"Save it for yourself.


I'm the one he's spending time with."


"And there's your saving grace, Corinne.


If you're paying attention, you know he's hurting right now.


Be his friend."


I headed back to the elevators and called over my shoulder, "Have a nice day."


She slammed her door shut behind me.When I got back to the Bentley, I told Angus to take me to Dr.


Terrence Lucas's office.


He paused in the act of closing the door and stared down at me.


"Gideon will be very angry, Eva."


I nodded, understanding the warning.


"I'll deal with it when the time comes."


The building that housed Dr.


Lucas's private practice was unassuming, but his offices were warm and inviting.


The waiting room was paneled in dark wood and the walls covered in a mixture of pictures of infants and children.


Parenting magazines covered the tables and were neatly stored in racks, while the dedicated play area was tidy and supervised.


I signed in and took a seat, but I'd barely sat when I was called back by the nurse.


I was taken to Dr.


Lucas's office, not an exam room, and he rose from his chair when I entered, rounding the desk quickly.


"Eva."


He held out his hand and I shook it.


"You didn't have to make an appointment."


I managed a smile.


"I didn't know how else to reach you."


"Have a seat."


I sat, but he remained standing, choosing to lean back against the desk and grip the edges with both hands.


It was a power position, and I wondered why he felt the need to use it with me.


"What can I do for you?" he asked.


He had a calm, confident air and a wide, open smile.


With his good looks and affable manner, I was sure any mother would have confidence in his skill and integrity.


"Gideon Cross was a patient of yours, wasn't he?" His face closed instantly and he straightened.


"I'm not at liberty to discuss my patients."


"When you gave me that 'not at liberty to discuss' line at the hospital, I didn't put it together, and I should have."