His Sugar Baby(54)
However, Michael only made a casual comment. “I have some paperwork having to do with my trip that I need to wrap up. I was just hoping that we could catch a bite to eat later.”
“I’m sorry, Michael—” she began.
“It’s not a problem.” He shrugged casually. “I’m not sure what my schedule will be like this coming week. I’ll have things to catch up at the office. I’ll call you when I know better.”
Winter interpreted his explanation to mean that it was unlikely he would want to see her over the next few days. She was relieved. It would give her time to settle Chloe in and to make the transition from her office to her home office. “I understand. My own schedule is going to be busy.” That was an understatement if ever there was one, she thought.
The clerk returned with the newly inscribed bracelet. Michael would not let her read it. He took the shimmering gold band from her and slipped it onto her wrist, closing the clasp securely. Before letting go of her hands, he pressed a light kiss into her open palm. Her fingers curled involuntarily, and a sizzle zinged up her arm.
She looked up at him quickly. A surprisingly tender expression warmed his eyes. The corner of his mouth quirked up in the way that was uniquely his own. “Something to remind you of me.”
“You aren’t easy to forget,” she murmured with perfect truth. Michael grinned, looking absurdly pleased. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they left the jewelry shop. He drove back to the house. He waited only until she was in the Lexus before he walked inside.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Winter unclasped the bracelet and slipped it off. She turned the gold band until the sunlight struck the tiny inscription. She saw two interlocking hearts, the centers crossed by the words, “Just for now.”
She laughed and shook her head. How very typical of Michael’s sardonic humor. He was reminding her how ephemeral their relationship was. At least the bracelet was pretty, she thought.
Winter slipped the gold bangle back onto her wrist and closed the clasp. She started the Lexus. It was almost time to pick up her daughter.
Chapter Seventeen
When it was time to check Chloe out of the hospital and Vicky met Cathy there, she was grateful for her friend’s support. Cathy’s mind was zinging this way and that, what with the paperwork that she had to sign and packing up Chloe’s belongings and talking to her excited daughter. Vicky helped to gather up everything into a soft-sided bag. Then she waited with the orderly and Chloe, who was seated in the mandatory wheelchair, while Cathy went to bring around the Lexus. Vicky put Chloe’s bag into the Lexus, while Cathy made certain that her daughter was securely buckled into the new car seat. There was a lot of cheerful talk and laughter between them all that warmed Cathy’s heart. Vicky had been around all of Chloe’s life, and there was a genuine affection between them. It just seemed right that Vicky should be included on the big day of Chloe’s homecoming. Vicky offered to follow them home, and Cathy agreed.
Vicky unlocked the door of the apartment with Cathy’s key and stood aside to let Cathy carry Chloe inside. “I’ll go get Chloe’s things and lock the Lexus.”
“Thanks, Vicky.” Stuffed toys dangled from her daughter’s hands, and she felt the toys bounce on her back as she carried Chloe to the tiny bedroom. Carefully, she deposited Chloe onto the bed and set about propping the pillows up behind her. “How’s that, baby?”
“It’s good.” Chloe snuggled against the pillows. She settled the stuffed bear and kitten beside her.
Vicky brought in the soft-sided bag and placed it inside the bedroom door. She came over to the bed and bent to kiss the top of Chloe’s head. When she straightened, she said, “I’m going to take off now and let you two be alone. Bye, Chloe.”
“Bye, Aunt Vicky.”
“I’ll be right back, Chloe.” Cathy followed her friend out of the bedroom and walked with her toward the front door. “Thanks so much, Vicky. It really helped to have you there. I could hardly think straight.”
Vicky hugged her. “I wouldn’t have missed it. I am just so happy that Chloe could come home. I’m going to miss seeing you at work, though. Call me, okay?”
Cathy nodded. “I will.”
Vicky gestured in the direction of Chloe’s bedroom. “Will you be all right? I mean, if there is anything else I can do, pick up some groceries or maybe babysit if you and Michael want to go out to dinner sometime…”
“Thanks, Vicky. I might take you up on that.” After Vicky had left, Cathy locked the front door and returned to her daughter. She picked up the bag, set it down on the end of the bed and unzipped it. “I’m going to put all of your hats on these shelves.” Cathy began to artfully arrange the head coverings on two shelves that she had hung low enough on a wall that Chloe could easily reach them for herself.
Chloe lay on the bed, propped up by the pillows behind her, and watched her mother. She grinned, the gap in her teeth showing. “That looks cool!”
Cathy smiled back at her over her shoulder. “I think so, too.”
Chloe looked around. “I miss our old house.”
Cathy looked swiftly at her daughter. “So do I, baby.” It was the first time that Chloe had ever referred to the reversal in their fortunes. It hurt that she couldn’t do better for her daughter. Something must have shown in her expression.