Gotta Get Next To You (9 page)

“Nice my foot. Jamal Turner may have sucked
Gran in, but not me,” Andrea said with force.

“Ahem, well, Jamal thinks a lot of you, from
what I understand.” Charlene dabbed her lips with a napkin and
looked at Andrea expectantly.

“Ha! He turns on the charm for any female
that’s still warm and has a pulse.”

Andrea had spent days building up this player
image of him. She needed it as a protective shield against his
charm. Or was it to protect her from herself? She shook her head,
chasing away that thought.

“So this Jamal really turns you on! My oh
my.” Char-line wore a delighted grin. “Where did you meet him? What
does he do?”

“Wait a minute. Didn’t Gran tell you?”

Charlene shook her head slowly. “No, my
dear,” she said, her grin widening.

“Then who told you about Jamal?” Andrea
blinked at her in bewilderment.

“You just did.” Charlene was the perfect
picture of a sleek cat that had caught her prey.

“I can’t believe it!” Andrea groaned in
despair. “You set me up!”

“Don’t blame yourself. I’m a master.”
Charlene laughed. “Now, tell all. You know you want to.”

“There is nothing to tell.” Andrea took her
hands from her face and sat up straight. “After Ellis, I’m immune
to phony sweet talk.”

“I see. That’s why you’re working so hard to
convince yourself he’s no good. Because you’re not attracted to
him.” Charlene gave her a pointed look.

“That’s ridiculous!” Andrea stammered. “The
last thing I need is another heartbreak on legs. No way. My whole
focus is on serving the patients who need me.” Charlene let out a
stream of silvery laughter. “Oh, Andrea. You sound so cute.”

“My work is not cute,” Andrea grumbled. She
squirmed in her seat.

“Don’t pout.” Charlene reached across the
table and patted her hand again. “Relax and be happy.”

“I am happy with my career.” Andrea gazed out
the window at the blue skies. “Right now that’s enough.” The image
of dark eyes and broad shoulders flashed into her mind. Andrea
could only imagine what being enclosed in those thick, strong arms
would do to her resolve to resist him. He made her feel safe and
daring at the same time. Jamal had an assurance about him. He was
smart, funny, and sexy as hell. She shivered but wasn’t sure if it
was from fear of herself or desire.

Charlene studied her. “But work isn’t enough
now that you’ve met him. Maybe I will visit Bayou Blue.” Andrea
snapped back to the here and now. “I’ve got enough problems with
Gran playing Cupid.”

“Now, listen, don’t accept anything less than
the royal treatment,” Charlene told her. “After that horrible
divorce, you’ve earned it.”

“Mother, I’m not going to date anyone. And
this man ... there’s something about him.”

“Obviously. He sounds fine as wine with the
charm to match. What’s not to like?” Charlene laughed.

“No, I mean something strange. He seems out
of place.” Andrea’s brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of her
gut feeling.

“In Bayou Blue? That’s a big plus in my
book,” Charlene quipped. “Most of the single men in that town have
raggedy pickup trucks, few teeth, and even less money.” Andrea
laughed out loud and lost the elusive thread she’d been trying to
follow. “You’re so bad.”

“You know I’m right.” Charlene waved a hand
in the air.

“You’re a treat. I know I should have said it
before now, but I missed you.” Andrea took her mother’s hand.

Charlene’s expression softened. “I missed you
too, baby. And I really do try my best to help you.”

“And I appreciate it.” Andrea smiled back at
her.

“I think we should celebrate with a shopping
trip.” Charlene pursed her lips for a moment. “Esplanade Mall is
having a huge sale.”

“I’m not going to buy a bunch of new
clothes.” Andrea shook her head.

“You want a seductive new you,” Charlene said
with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

“No, I don’t. But it is time to get my hair
done.” Andrea stuck out her chin in defiance.

“Whatever the reason, let’s go to it!”
Charlene dashed into her bedroom and came back with her purse.

Despite her attempts, resisting Charlene
proved futile. She teased and charmed Andrea into laughter the
entire time. Their first stop in the mall was Charlene’s favorite
exclusive hair salon. Charlene’s hairdresser, Eric, seated Andrea
in his chair, and he and Charlene stood at various angles staring
at her.

“What do you think, Eric? I say a dramatic
feathered bang over one eye, just below the eyebrow.” Charlene
circled around to face Andrea.

“Hmm, I’m getting a vision.” Eric was a tall
man the color of caf6 au lait. He sported a small goatee and wore a
black coat with the words CHOICES FOR HAIR in electric blue painted
on the chest pocket.

“Nothing too, you know, out there.” Andrea
shifted nervously under their scrutiny.

“Maybe some blonde highlights,” Charlene
murmured.

“No way!” Andrea cried.

Eric stepped close to her and brushed her
hair lightly with one hand. “In fact, the reddish highlights in
your hair now are kinda golden in tone. See, what I’d do is—”

“No hair color and don’t cut too much
either.” Andrea jumped out of the chair. “Come to think of it, I
don’t really need a new hairdo at all.”

“Oh, no, you don’t.” Charlene pushed her back
into the chair.

“Calm down, babe. Nobody’s gonna do anything
you really don’t want.” Eric rushed to soothe her anxiety. “How
’bout I get you a Barq’s cream soda?”

“Here, sweetie, here’s a magazine. You pick
out the style you want.” Charlene gave her a copy of Black Hair
Magazine. She shot a sideways glance at Eric, who nodded.

“Absolutely.” He went out and came back with
a paper cup full of soda.

“Just so we all understand.” Andrea squinted
at them both in warning. Then she pointed to a picture. “This
one.

“That’s not very different from what—”
Charlene started.

“This or nothing.” Andrea pressed her lips
together in a stubborn expression.

Charlene gave a gasp of frustration. Then she
shrugged and looked at Eric, who shrugged helplessly in
response.

“The customer is always right,” he said
without much conviction.

Two hours later, Andrea gazed in awe at her
image. She had to admit that Eric was good at what he did. Her hair
was still long in the back, but loose curls were layered around her
face.

Charlene sniffed. “It looks cute. But a touch
of blonde would make it simply stunning.”

She sashayed off before Andrea could respond.
Andrea and Eric shared a laugh. She paid him and headed off to a
clothing boutique at Charlene’s insistence.

“Just a few things,” Andrea insisted.

Andrea ended up with three blouses, a new
dress, and shoes to match.

“Perfect,” Charlene said. She held up a short
red skirt.

“You’re kidding,” Andrea said with a
laugh.

“Wear that to a meeting and you’ll get
whatever you want.” Charlene gave a sharp nod and hung it over her
arm. “It’s perfect.”

“I’m not the type to show a little leg to
influence people, Charlene.” Andrea shook her head once again.
Something she seemed to be doing a lot of on this excursion.

“You make it sound like a bad thing.”
Charlene smiled and waved a hand.

Andrea’s smile faded. “I’ve made it this far
without resorting to that sort of thing. My degree and—”

“Yes, yes. You’re well qualified. But let’s
face it, looks count. And men still run things for the most part.”
Charlene led her to a counter. She took out her credit card and
handed to the saleswoman.

“Now you need the right accessories.”
Charlene turned to Andrea and her arched brows came together.
“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying. Well?” Charlene put her head
to one side. “It’s the clothes.”

Andrea swallowed the lump of anger that had
risen in her throat. “I’m not you, Charlene.” She bit off the urge
to add she did not want to be anything like her, that she’d spent
years trying not to be Charlene.

“Well...” Charlene’s voice trailed off. “I
thought you’d love it. We do look so much alike, and I look simply
stunning in that shade of red. But we can return the skirt.”

She spoke rapidly, her eyes clouded with
dread. Andrea knew they’d come close to the edge again. Charlene
seemed to sense it, too. Her expression pleaded with Andrea not to
say more. Andrea’s heart pounded as they stared at each other.

“Of course we won’t take it back. Not after
you spent so much energy talking me into it.” Andrea put on a
smile.

Charlene looked relieved. “I saw a pair of
earrings that would be perfect for you.”

Andrea felt tension drain from her shoulders.
Once more they’d avoided confronting what truly separated them.
Charlene provided more lighthearted banter, and Andrea went along
with it. She did not want to face those particular demons. They’d
achieved a kind of stasis in this way. Charlene went on about
necklaces or something. Andrea nodded and smiled in all the right
places as she pushed away family shadows from the past.

Lee arrived at the clinic and walked through
the waiting room. “Good morning.” Several of the women patients
gave him flirtatious smiles.

He went to the computer room to store his
canvas bag, and then followed the smell of fresh-brewed coffee.
Business was booming that morning. Andrea had arranged for a
pediatrician to come twice a month for well-baby care. Lee went
down a second hall away from the examining rooms to avoid harried
moms and screaming kids. This led to the kitchen. It was a good-
sized room with a big Formica-topped table and padded chairs. The
staff found refuge there for coffee breaks and during lunch. Katy
was there filling her Minnie Mouse mug.

“Hello, sunshine,” Lee said.

“Don’t start with me,” Katy muttered. “It’s
only ten and I feel like I’ve been here a week.”

“Rough, huh?” Lee found a black mug that had
be-come his in the three weeks he’d been coming.

“Listen to that.” Katy jerked a thumb over
her shoulder toward the racket. “All morning. My God!”

“It was your idea to have certain days for
kiddy shots,” Lee said.

“Somebody should have given me a good shake,
too. Never again. Before the school rush, we’re going to spread
those appointments out.” As though she needed further convincing, a
piercing screech sounded.

“That one had the windows vibrating,” Lee
quipped. “You think that’s bad, try dealing with their mommies.
Argumentative and picky, picky, picky.” Katy frowned as though
tasting something sour. “I’d like to give them a nice sharp needle
in the butt.”

“So you’re hiding out back here. Who’s
helping Dr. Hill?” Lee leaned against the counter and sipped the
strong coffee.

Katy laughed and sat down at the small table.
“Stu-dent nurses. They need the experience.”

“You’re something else.” Lee shook his
head.

Katy raised an eyebrow at him. “So are you,
from what they tell me. I hear you’re a regular one-man SWAT
team.”

“Very funny,” Lee said. He was embarrassed at
the look she gave him.

“Lisa and Troylyn are telling the world
you’re a doggone hero.” Katy grinned at him.

Lee sat down across from her. “Your boss
wasn’t quite so impressed.” He wondered why that bothered him.

“I don’t know about that.” Katy consoled him
with a pat on the shoulder.

“Well, I do. She doesn’t bend easily, does
she?”

“Andrea can be a hard case. But she really
appreciates all you’ve done.”

“Has she said something?” Lee forgot to be
irritated. He was curious and hopeful that Andrea felt something
positive about him. Anything would do at this point.

“Sure. She’s always talking about how much
the computer system you set up has helped the clinic.” “Oh.” Lee
felt a stab of disappointment and guilt in his belly. Most of his
overtime was spent gathering evidence that might sink the
place.

“Like that tickler system for
immunizations...” Katy went on about one of her and Andrea’s pet
projects.

Her voice faded into the background as Lee
considered his role in Andrea’s world. Would he damage her life’s
work beyond repair? Yet he had little choice.

There was no real reason the clinic should
suffer permanent damage. The more he thought about it, he realized
he could be doing Andrea and the clinic a big favor by helping to
root out these problems. He could help protect her from being
blamed and save the clinic she so cherished. The prospect of being
Andrea’s hero caused a pleasant sensation to spread up his
spine.

“Hel-loo.” Katy waved a hand in front of his
face. “You haven’t been listening.”

“Sorry, I was thinking of ways to impress the
boss.” Lee grinned by way of apology.

“Think of how to improve the clinic. That’s
the way to this lady’s heart.” Katy drank the last drop of coffee
from her mug and stood.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Lee said with a
smile. “Sugar, before you know it, you two will be best friends if
you work at it.”

Lee pictured Andrea’s smile. Her sensual lips
curling up gently at the comers, tempting him to taste, nibble,
suck... “Yeah. I’ll get on that.”

“Boy, I can tell you like the idea of
pleasing that woman.” Katy rinsed out her mug and dried it with a
paper towel.

“I was thinking of computer systems that
might help,” Lee said, casually leaning back in his seat. He sipped
his coffee.

Katy turned to him with a smirk. “Yeah,
uh-uh. I re-ally believe that one.”

“This is strictly business,” he grumbled.

He brought the mug to his mouth to cover his
growing chagrin. Here he was, a PI who had fooled some of the most
dangerous criminals, yet let him have one simple conversation about
Andrea Noble and his face was an open book!