Wash (27 page)

“
No!” Charity and her father said at the same time. She shot a
glance at her father.

“
I can stay for a bit then.” Elijah settled back in his
chair.

Charity
cleared her throat “We’ve got six months exactly from this weekend
until the gala.” She pulled her iPad out of her briefcase and
flipped to the app she had programmed with the details of the next
few months. “I will start advertising and preparing
invites.”

“
I understand the diamond theme,” Elijah said. “Is there going
to be something that goes with it?”

“
What do you mean?” Charity tried not to stare at his mouth
while he spoke.

“
Will it be suit and tie? Tuxedo?” He snapped his fingers. “Or
something cool, like masquerade?”

Masquerade? What a neat idea. “What do you think?” she asked
her dad.

“
Me? I have no clue. I’d like it to be tux, but, and I’m trying
to think like Charity here, a masquerade might get more women
interested in dressing up.”

“
I would go.” Elijah chuckled.

“
You have to go,” Dr. Thompson reminded him.

“
I know, but I’d want to go if I got to wear a
mask.”

Charity’s thoughts envisioned him in a tuxedo and a black
mask, making his eyes even bluer. She moved at the sudden heat
burning inside her. “We could set it up so we have the masks
available to purchase online or at the door. Or people attending
could get their own. People like the easy button. I’ll have to see
if it would work. Either way, we can guarantee this will be a very
formal occasion.”

“
Easy button?” Her father’s eyebrows shot up.

“
Just a way to make things easy. A couple of clicks and they
order them. It’ll raise extra funds as well. I’ll look around today
to see what is available locally. I’m meeting Julie in a few hours
and we can do some shopping and checking around.” Elijah liked the
idea and suddenly she loved the idea.

Elijah
stood. “I need to check on my patient before their surgery.” He
shook Dr. Thompson’s hand and then touched Charity’s knee as he
turned to go. “See you.”

Charity’s knee tingled and the feeling ran up her inner
thigh. It stayed long after Elijah left the room.

Chapter 13

“
Let’s go check one more place.” Charity checked the list on
her phone and the address of the last place. She zipped up her coat
and pushed the door open. She turned to go to the right.

Julie
grabbed her elbow to stop her. “Let’s not and you just tell Elijah
that we did.”

“
Elijah? This is for my dad.”

Julie
shook her head. “That’s the excuse you’re using. Can we just skip
it and you can tell him we looked everywhere? Then you get to
impress the boy and we can go grab something to eat. I’m
starving.”

Charity
forced a smile but glanced away. She couldn’t look Julie in the
eye. “I’m not trying to impress the boy.”

“
What?” Julie stomped her foot. “I bloomin’ hope you are! Why
else are we running around doing this then?” She stuck her hands on
her hips.

“
For the gala.” Charity didn’t say anything else; she didn’t
know what to say to her friend.

“
Come on, Charity. You’re falling for the guy. Just admit it.”
Julie smiled, slightly teasing but in a positive way.

“
I’m not. He’s not my type.” She shook her head but her words
did not sound convincing. “It’s complicated.”

“
Why? Because he’s here and you’re down in Atlanta? Because
he’s chief of your father’s hospital? Because he’s a doctor and
you’re not?”

Darn
Julie knew her too well. “Aside from the last one, I hadn’t thought
of those reasons, but they are valid points. It’s even more
complicated now.”

“
You’re a lousy liar.” Julie gave her a half smile. “Bull
stinkin’ crap.”

Charity
burst out laughing. “Seriously? You say that?”

Julie
shrugged. “I work in pediatrics, I try to keep it clean.” She poked
Charity in the shoulder. “Don’t change the subject.”

“
I’m not!” She tried to grab Julie’s hand, but her friend
pulled it away just in time. “It doesn’t bother me he’s a doctor,
nor does it bother me that I’m not. I love my job.” She stared down
at her hands, not sure how ready she was to admit she had a crush
on the guy. She could hardly say it to herself, let alone out loud
to Julie. “Elijah’s a lady’s man. I may not be here every day, but
it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. I’m not
into that.” She started walking again. No way was she about to tell
Julie that they had already kissed.

Julie
didn’t try to argue. She walked beside Charity silently for a bit
before quietly saying, “You’d be good for him, you know. And he
likes you.”

Charity’s eyebrows shot up and her heart sputtered a moment
before kicking back into its regular rhythm. “Just out of the blue,
he told you that? She lowered her voice and tried to mimic Elijah’s
accent, ‘Juls, I like Dr. Thompson’s daughter. I’m thinking about
hanging up my lady killer pants and taking up a chastity belt.
Instead of having sex on a regular basis, I’m thinking a long
distance relationship with my boss’s daughter looks ten times more
inviting.’ Something like that?” She cleared her throat and had to
work to keep a straight face as she stared expectantly at
Julie.

Julie kept the straight face gimmick better than Charity.
“Holy smokes! Those were
his exact
words
. Oh, hold on a sec…” She stopped and pulled her
phone out of her pocket. “Hey, Simon, what’s up?” She listened then
grinned mischievously at Charity. “Uh-huh… You’re both off? Cool.
Why don’t I ask Charity and we’ll meet you for dinner. We’re almost
done here.” She paused while Simon spoke on the other end. “Give us
half an hour. See you then. Love you.” She tucked the phone back in
her pocket and slipped her arm through Charity’s. “Simon’s surgery
got cancelled so he’s done early. He wants to meet us for
pizza.”

Charity
gave her friend a sideways glance. “What’s the catch?”

“
Nothing! I’m excited to get to hang with my husband and best
buddy tonight. We can have a bunch of drinks and hit a few clubs.
Maybe go dancing.” She pointed to a shop window as they passed.
“Let’s go see if we can find something fun to wear. Then go meet
them.”

“
Them?”

Julie
pulled the shop door open and glanced back over her shoulder.
“Elijah’s coming, too.”

Luckily
Julie ran ahead a few steps or Charity’s boot would have connected
with her backside.

“
You can’t back out,” Julie said as they stood flipping through
a rack of tops a few moments later. “You were going out to eat with
me anyways. We’d be going clubbing no matter what – boys or no
boys.”

“
True.” Charity glanced down at her red top and dark blue
jeans. At least she’d worn a cool pair of shoes she could dance in.
Excitement started spreading inside of her. It would be fun.
Dancing always was. She might even impress Elijah. “If we’re
dancing, I need a tank top.”

Julie
pulled out a black sleeveless top with a leather collar that ran
down into a V-cut. Sultry with just the right hint of temptation.
“You need this. It’s totally you.”

Charity
caught it as Julie tossed it to her. “I’ll go try it
on.”

Fifteen
minutes later they left the shop with Charity wearing her new top
and Julie in new pants.

“
Where are we meeting them?” Charity asked as the two headed
back to Julie’s car in the parking garage.

“
Cherie’s. Do you remember it? They’ve got that awesome oven
baked pizza.” After Charity nodded, Julie added, “We can walk if
you want. Car’s already parked in the garage and it’s like five
minutes from here. Let’s just toss our bags in the
trunk.”

They
dropped the things off and freshened their makeup before heading
back to Main Street. It was just starting to get dark when they
reached Cherie’s. Julie walked into the crowded pub first and
Charity followed a few steps behind. When Julie threw her arm in
the air and waved toward the end of the bar, Charity’s stomach
danced with butterflies. No running now.

A few
empty bottles and an empty appetizer plate sat on the table by the
boys. Julie dropped in the seat beside Simon and gave him a big
hug. “Missed you.”

Charity
pressed behind them and smiled at Elijah as she had to squeeze by
him to get to the empty stool beside him. “Hi again.”

“
Hello.” He flashed her one those dashing smiles only he seemed
capable of doing. He wore a grey long-sleeved top and jeans. Hot in
scrubs, hot dressed up and in casual clothes. He could have been a
model instead of a doctor. She almost laughed out loud at the
thought.

The
bartender walked over and cleared the empty bottles. “What can I
get for you, ladies?”

“
Do you have Captain Morgan?” When the bartender nodded,
Charity smiled at him. “Awesome. Can I get a spiced rum and
Coke?”

“
Sure thing, love.” He turned to Julie, who ordered a vodka and
cranberry.

“
Spiced rum?” Elijah turned in his chair. “I took you for a
sweet beverage drinker.”

She
grimaced. “That’s Julie’s bit. She likes the sweet
stuff.”

Julie
leaned over Simon. “There’s nothing wrong with
girlie-drinks.”

Simon
held her back. “Now that’s sexist. What did those drinks ever do to
you?”

“
Give me horrible hangovers,” Julie replied.

The
bartender returned with their drinks and more bottles for the boys.
They ordered pizza and wings and sat back to wait.

“
We tried to get a table, but the place has been busy since we
got here.” Elijah leaned toward her so Charity could hear him
talk.

“
How’d your afternoon go?” she asked him. She tried to stare at
his face but her eyes seemed to have their own agenda.

“
Good. Your father scrubbed in for my last surgery. Simon and I
finished and decided to grab a few beers.”

“
How long have you guys been here?” A twinge of guilt shot
through her as she wondered if her father had hoped to spend the
evening with her or if he’d just wanted to stay at the hospital.
Her dad never asked her and she had no intention of
offering.

“
About an hour. Halfway through, Simon decided he wanted of us
all to hang out so he called Julie. I hope you didn’t have other
plans.”

Did guys talk? Would he have told Simon about their kiss
last week? What else had he said? Charity had to avoid staring at
his mouth as he took a drink from his beer bottle.
Tantalizing.
She wondered if she
pressed her lips to his, would his be hot or maybe cool with a
slightly beer taste. She blinked and almost rolled her eyes. How
old was she? She signalled the bartender for another rum and Coke.
“Julie and I were checking if there were any masquerade shops or
places to order from.”

Elijah
grinned, ear to ear. “Really? You liked my idea?” He touched her
leg and let his hand remain on her thigh. “Did you find
anything?”

She
enjoyed his excitement and the zing which ran up her leg and deep
into her belly that came from his touch. “There isn’t much
selection around but online it’s a diamond mine.” She laughed at
her own use of words. “I ordered a few things so I can show my dad
when I’m here next. I think a Diamond Masquerade would be a huge
hit and a load of fun.”

“
So do I.”

Would he
want the mask to hide from those he dated before? She crossed the
thought from her mind. She wanted to enjoy tonight, flirt, and just
see where the night led them. “Have you been to Hidden
Beat?”

Julie
handed out plates the bartender had just dropped off. She also
ordered everyone another round of drinks. “What is it?”

The
pizza came and everyone grabbed a slice.

“
It’s a club not far from here. Kind of one of those
underground places that only the locals know about. I can’t believe
you haven’t been.” She glanced at Elijah. “What about you, have you
been?”

“
No, but I’m game to go.”

Charity
grabbed a napkin and wiped a bit of sauce from her lip. The
bartender set their drinks down and winked at her as he walked
away. She took a sip to sample the new glass. It was twice as
strong as the last one.

Julie
laughed. “Maybe we should stay here. Looks like Charity’s getting
hit on by the bartender. She could use a bit of action.”

Charity’s cheeks burned. She was too embarrassed to look at
Elijah.

Simon,
being Simon, saved the day. “Julie, are you jealous? Someone
getting more attention than you? Do you want me to slip around the
bar and serve us? I can hit on you if you’d like.”

Julie
must have realized her remark had gone a way she hadn’t meant.
“Sorry, let me just get my foot out of my mouth.” She grinned
sheepishly at Charity.

Charity
didn’t care. She knew Julie and knew she didn’t mean it as a jab.
“Let’s use the guy for free drinks and then bust out of this joint.
Poor guy will probably be heartbroken, but I’m sure he’ll
survive.”