NiceGirlsDo (21 page)

He swallowed the urge to tell her he suspected Damien was in love with her. “That's your way of saying ... what?”

“I love you, Clay. I'll probably always love you, but I am not in love with you. I’ve always enjoyed having you in my bed, but I don’t lose any sleep over who you might be sleeping with.”

“Thank God!”

Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

“So who is the man that has you so unhappy?”

“Did Damien mind when he thought we'd slept together?”

“You've already asked me that. Yes, he minded. I thought he was going to take my head off.”

“Why? Why should he mind?”

He shrugged.

She moistened her lips. “He's ... he's the one ... the man I'm in love with.”

Clay closed his eyes briefly. “Oh, thank God!” He reached across the table and closed his hands over hers. “That is such a relief.”

She blinked. “You're not ... you don't have a problem with that?”

“No! Why should I? I'm delighted.”

“You're delighted. What about Damien?”

He squeezed her hand. “Why don't you call him and tell him how you feel?”

“I'm too old for him, Clay. He's only thirty years old. I'm forty-two. He wants kids ... I can't have any. What do I have to offer him that would make him interested in anything more than an occasional roll in the hay with me? Why should I burden him with feelings he’d probably rather not know I have for him? He’s so young and so handsome, he could have any woman he wanted.”

He shook his head. “Trust me, Cami and call him and tell him how you feel.”

“Do you know something I don't, Clay?”

“I know he considers you far more than a roll in the hay.”

“Are you saying ...”

“I'm saying you should call him. You won't be disappointed.”

She nodded. “Okay. I will.” She sighed. “At least I will, if you’ll call Darbi. Amber and Betty both said you’re being stubborn.”

He released her hand. “Don’t you start on me too, Cami, because I swear I’m in a foul mood and I just might tell you where to go and how to get there.”

“You go ahead. I can take it.”

He shook his head.

“Let me guess. You want me to take the fast train to hell?”

He laughed and shook his head. “I need time to think.”

“You should call her and beg her to forgive you.”

“For something I haven’t done?”

“Yes ... if you love her.”

“I do.”

“Then call her.”

He shook his head.

“Please, Clay. When I think of how miserable I felt when I called you ... please don’t let the woman you love feel like that because your pride is more important than her feelings. Call her and do whatever you have to do to make things right with her.

“I’ll think about it.”

* * *

“Darbi, I know you're hurt and I would be in your place too, but I honestly don't think he slept with her.”

Seated in the sauna at the health club, Darbi kept her eyes closed. “Then why didn't he call me, Sharde?”

“I don't know, but I think you should at least hear him out before you refuse to talk to him.”

“It hurts too much. I spent over eight hours waiting for him to call me while he stayed with her ... talking ... or so he says.”

“Darbi, he did not sleep with her.”

She opened her eyes and glared at Sharde. “How do you know he didn't?”

“No man who is as into you as he is would risk sleeping with another woman.”

“That's easy for you to say now. When the shoe was on the other foot, you didn't believe Jefferson when he denied sleeping with that bimbo he picked up in a bar after your first fight.”

Sharde sighed. “No, I didn't, but I was wrong ... just as you are. Take a day or so to be angry at him ... call him every name in the book, and then hear him out.”

“No!”

“Darbi! You are not in a position to be so rigid! Talk to him ... if not for fairness's sake, then for your own sake. If you're going to end it and go it alone ... you're going to need to be sure you're doing the right thing by both of you. You're not the only one you have to consider anymore.”

She sighed and nodded slowly. “I know that, but --”

“Come on, girl. Don’t just think about it. Talk to him.”

“I'll think about it.”

“Darbi! You are as stubborn as he is!” Sharde hugged her. “Okay. Think about it -- hard -- and then call him. Now, let's get out of here and go home.”

“Okay, but I've kept you away from Jeff long enough. I'm going to spend the night in my own bed and let you get back to spending yours in Jeff's.”

Sharde frowned. “Are you sure? Jeff and I have our whole lives ahead of us. Being separated a couple of nights will make our reunion that much sweeter.”

“I'm sure, but I'll be fine on my own tonight. It will give me time to think over what you've said and decide what’s best for both of us.”

* * *

Clay left his office and crossed the hall to Damien's. He paused at Damien's secretary's desk. “Is he in, Paula?”

She smiled and nodded. “And he's in an exceptionally good mood too.”

“Good.” He walked to Damien's closed door and paused with his hand on the knob. “Can I ...?”

“Sure.”

He nodded, tapped on the door, and then went into the office. Damien sat behind his desk, a smile on his face, and an absent look in his eyes.

Clay closed the door and leaned against it. “You've talked with Cami?”

Damien nodded. “Can you believe it, Clay? She loves me too.”

He smiled. “I know. You two will be very good together.”

“Yeah, but it wasn't easy convincing her of that.” He frowned. “I owe you an apology, Clay. I shouldn't have said half the things I --”

“No apologies necessary, Damien. You were hurt and angry.” He grimaced. “I certainly know what that feels like.”

“What about you? Any movement between you and Darbi?”

He shook his head. “I'm on my way to Calder's now to see her.”

“You are? Great! Who finally got through to you?”

“Cami.”

Damien grinned. “She’s great, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is.”

“What did she say?”

“She reminded me of how miserable she felt when she thought loving you was hopeless. When I was with her, trying to comfort her, I nearly cried with her. I don’t want Darbi feeling that way if there’s anything I can do to avoid it.”

“Thanks, Clay.”

“For what?”

“For being there for Cami when she needed someone. I’m just sorry it caused so much trouble with Darbi.”

“So am I, but I’ll make things right with her.”

“Good luck, not that you'll need it.”

“Oh, I'm afraid I will. I've called her three times today and she's refused to speak to me each time.”

“Damn. You know Cami is willing to talk to her.”

“I know and I appreciate that, but I don't think that will help ... at least not yet. If there's any hope of our relationship surviving, I'll have to convince her I love her too much to want anyone else.”

“Since that's true, I'm sure you’ll succeed.”

“I'd better or I'll be up the damned creek without a boat or a paddle.”

“I'll hold down the fort.”

He nodded. “Thanks.”

He left the office and drove across town to Calder Technologies. He pulled into the parking lot. Although he didn't see Darbi’s car in the lot, he knew she sometimes enjoyed the thirty-minute walk to work. It was late August and a little warm to walk, but he was certain she was at work. He parked his car in the lot facing the exit door she used when he picked her up after work.

He turned on his car stereo and sat waiting. Unless she chose to work late, she should exit the building within the next twenty minutes or so. Half an hour later Sharde and Calder exited the building.

He got out of his car and stood by it as the couple approached.

He and Calder exchanged cool looks. He saw Sharde squeezed Calder's arm and whisper something to him. Although he narrowed his gaze, he continued walking past Clay to his car.

Sharde stopped by him with a smile. “Hi, Clay.”

“Hi. I think I owe you an apology.”

She shook her head. “Not if you’re here to see Darbi, you don’t.”

“I am. And I am sorry I was so rude.”

She smiled. “Apology accepted.”

“Good. I’d hate to think you no longer found me breathtakingly charming.”

She laughed. “Oh, Clay. I am so happy to see you here to make things right with her I’d love to kiss you.”

He arched a brow and tapped his cheek. “So who’s stopping you?”

“Jeff would probably wring your neck.”

“He could try, but I doubt he’d be successful.” He lifted his right foot. “I’d love an excuse to put my foot up his ass.”

She shook her head. “You’re impossible, Clay!”

He laughed. “Is Darbi still inside?”

“No. She left work early.”

Great. He’d wasted nearly an hour. “Is she home?”

Sharde hesitated. “Clay --”

He shook his head. “I don’t want or need a lecture, Sharde. Please. Just tell me where she is so I can try to make things right with her.”

“She’s home.”

“Thanks.” He turned.

She touched his arm. “Clay, I think you should do whatever is necessary to get her to forgive you. This is not a time when you and she need to be separated for any longer than necessary. She needs you now more than ever.”

“Why now? What's wrong? Is she sick?”

“I can't say any more without breaking her confidence. Just trust me when I say, it will be worth your while to do or say whatever you have to do to win her back.” She squeezed his arm. “Good luck, Clay.”

He nodded. “Thanks. And good luck with bonehead over there.”

“Clay!”

He laughed. “Thanks, Sharde.”

“You can thank me by making her happy.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will.”

He nodded and got in his car and drove to Darbi's condo. He was surprised to see his SUV parked in her second parking space. He found a parking spot a block away. His heart raced and his mouth felt dry as he slowly walked back to her condo.

Standing in front of her door, he took several deep, calming breaths before he rang her bell.

Amber opened the door. “Clay!” She glanced over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing about yourself and my SUV.” He studied her face, noting the tearstains. He caressed her cheek. “Have you been crying? What's the matter, honey?”

She lowered her gaze. “Nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Yes!”

“You’ve been crying.”

“It’s nothing, Clay. Really.”

He was going to have to make time to talk with her -- after he’d talked with Darbi. “Is Darbi here?”

“Yes, but I don't think she wants to see you.” Amber bit her lip. “I think --”

“It's all right, Amber. Let him in.”

Amber stood aside and he walked inside. Darbi, dressed in a baggy sweat suit stood a few feet in front of him. He clenched his right hand into a fist to keep from rushing at her and gripping her in a bear hug. He smiled. “Hi, honey.”

“Hi.”

He stuck his hands in his pant pockets. “We need to talk.”

She nodded. “Yes, but I think you need to talk to Amber first.”

He looked at Amber who met his gaze, then quickly lowered her head. He touched her and slipped his hand under her chin. He lifted it and looked down at her. “I'm listening, Amber.”

She closed the door and trained her gaze on the floor. “You're going to have a fit. Promise me you won't go ballistic.”

He glanced at Darbi, who just shook her head. “I promise I will try to listen with an open mind. Now what do you need to tell me?” He cupped her face between his palms. “I don't bite.”

“You will when I tell you what's wrong.”

She hadn't wrecked his SUV. She hadn't asked for any money in a week. What did that leave? “What's wrong?”

“I ... I'm pregnant, Clay!”

He blinked. “What? What did you say?”

“I'm pregnant.”

He released her face and stepped back. “Pregnant? You mean ... you're having a ... a baby?”

Her shoulders shook then she lifted her head and gave him a defiant look. “That's what being pregnant generally means.”

“How the hell can you be having a baby?! You're only eighteen!”

“I know how old I am, Clay.”

“And you’re going to school in just a few weeks!”

“That’s not going to happen now, is it?”

“What the hell do you mean it’s not going to happen?”

“I’m not going to Harvard or any other school next month, Clay! I’m pregnant and I don’t have time --”

“Who's responsible for this?”

“Is that your clever way of asking who the father is?”

“Yes, damn it, it is! Who the hell is he?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because after I take my foot out of his ass and he picks up what’s left of his teeth, we're going to have to discuss when you two are getting married!”

Amber's nostril flared and she cast a quick look at Darbi, who had remained silent. “What did I tell you? Didn't I tell you he'd go ballistic and insist I had to get married?” She turned her gaze back to him. “I have news for you, Clay, I don't want to marry the father.”

“Too damned bad. You should have thought of that before you let him get you pregnant.”

“Just because I’m pregnant doesn't mean I have to get married.”

“Why the hell doesn't it?”

“Stop yelling. Why do you keep cursing, Clay? You never curse at me!”

He took a deep breath and raked both hands through his hair. “Okay. You're right. I'm sorry.”

“So we're not going to talk about marriage?”

“Yes, we are going to talk about marriage, Amber! You are not going to be a single mom!”

“Why not?”

“Because if this ... male cared anything about you, he'd want to do the right thing.”

Tiny sparks flared in her gaze. “And what's the right thing?”

“He'll marry you.”

“Oh? Then I guess you don't care about Darbi, do you?”

“What?”

Darbi spoke in a sharp voice. “Amber! Don't!”

She spun around to face Darbi. “I have to. You're standing here. You can see how ... sanctimonious he's being when he doesn’t have any room to talk.”