More Than a Convenient Bride(20)

"You looked right at me and laughed," he said, not sure who irritated  him more, Julie or Amelia. Or maybe it was how cozy the two of them had  looked sitting there together. This was not supposed to happen. Julie  was supposed to dislike Amelia as much as he did.

"Not ten seconds before you knocked we were talking about how you would  react if you walked in and saw us together," Julie said. "It's the  timing that had us laughing. Not you."

It sure hadn't felt that way. He sat on the corner of her desk. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

About what? Was she joking? "For starters, what Amelia was doing here."

Julie shrugged. "We were talking."

Thanks, Captain Obvious. "I could see that. What were you talking about?"

"You, mostly."

Swell. Did he even want to know what was being said?

Probably not.

"I should have told you that she was here," he said. "And that her son  is my patient. And I know the fact I didn't looks suspicious-"

"Luc, stop. You don't owe me an explanation."

Of course he did. "We're married, I should have said something about her being here."

"This marriage is only pretend, remember?"

He was getting a little tired of her reminding him of that. Who was she  trying to convince, him or herself? "Then, as your friend, I should  have told you."

"I'm sure you had your reasons not to. Besides, I think it's good that  you're finally getting a chance to settle things with her. You should  have done it a long time ago."

"There's nothing to settle."

"For her there is."

"That's not my problem. And despite what you've probably heard, I have  not been spending time with her. She, on the other hand, has been  stalking me."

"I know. She told me."

He blinked. "She did?"

"Well, she didn't use the term stalking, but I know she's been trying to see you. All she wants to do is talk."

"You believe that?"

"Unless I hear otherwise from you, what reason do I have not to?"

He could think of a couple dozen. "You don't know her the way I do."

"People do change."

Not people like her. "She's the same old Amelia, trust me."

"How can you know that if you won't talk to her?"

He knew Amelia was manipulative, but to coax Julie over to her camp  with a single conversation? That was quite an accomplishment, even for  her. "As I said, I have no need or desire to discuss or settle anything  from our past. Period."

"She's been through a lot. I really think that she's different now. Who knows, she may still be the love of your life."

Oh, good God no, she wasn't. "She is not the love of my life."

"Either way, it's okay with me if you spend some time getting to know  her again. And if you decide you need to end our marriage-"

"Absolutely not." Was she serious? What kind of friend would he be?  Besides, he would choose Julie over Amelia any day of the week. The  trouble was making her believe that. Julie had never had a man in her  life who hadn't disappointed her deeply in one way or another. It was  almost as if she expected it, planned for it even. He refused to let  that happen to her again. He wouldn't let her down, no matter what he  had to do. "Until you get your permanent citizenship you're stuck with  me. As long as it takes. I don't go back on my promises." He took her  hand and squeezed it hard, his eyes locked on hers. "I mean that. I  don't want this to come between us. You're the most important person in  my life."                       
       
           



       

"It won't come between us."

"You promise?"

She smiled. A real smile. "I promise."

Somehow that just didn't seem good enough. There was something else  going on here that he just couldn't seem to put his finger on. "Are you  sure you're okay? My mom said you cried. You never cry."

Her cheeks blushed a vivid shade of pink. She never cried, and she  blushed even less often. "I wish she wouldn't have said anything to you.  It was really, really embarrassing."

"She was concerned."

"It was PMS, that's all. Every now and then it makes me emotional. And  for the record, I do cry occasionally. I just don't let anyone else see  it. It was just bad timing."

"So, if you have PMS, I guess that means you're not..."

"I'm not pregnant."

He waited for the relief to flow over him, but weirdly enough, he felt a  twinge of disappointment instead. He wasn't ready to be a parent, and  neither was Julie, but knowing there had been a slight possibility, it  had gotten him thinking. But the timing couldn't have been worse. And he  was completely overlooking the fact that, as she liked to point out, he  and Julie were married in name only.

"I was thinking, if you're going to be seeing Amelia-"

"I'm not. I'm married to you, and until that changes I'm not seeing anyone else."

"I was just going to say, you should try to keep it on the down low."

Was she giving him permission to cheat on her? Did she really believe  he would put her citizenship in jeopardy? Not to mention her dignity.  And his own. And their friendship. What sort of man did she think he  was? "It's not going to happen. Not now, not ever. I don't find her even  remotely attractive."

"You can't deny that she's beautiful."

On the outside maybe. "As far as I'm concerned, she's nothing more than  the mother of my patient. That's as far as it goes now, or ever will  go. Amelia and I had our shot and she blew it. She doesn't get a second  chance."

"I think she's really changed."

Somehow he doubted that. Amelia liked to manipulate, and she was good  at it. He didn't doubt that she was manipulating Julie. Julie's  instincts when judging a person's character had never been stellar, but  she'd had Luc around a good majority of the past six years to give her  guidance. She'd always listened to him before. Why not now? "Are you  that eager to get rid of me?"

"Of course not," she said, laying her hand on his arm. Her skin was  soft and warm. Whenever she touched him, something happened, something  deep down inside of him shifted. He'd never been with a woman who could  excite him the way she did, or frustrate him, while at the same time  making him feel more at peace than he ever had in his life.

"I just want you to be happy," she said.

"Then, please trust me when I say to stay away from her. That will make me happy."

"Why?"

"She's not the person you think she is." Julie was too trusting, too  nice to see Amelia for what she really was. Amelia would chew her up and  spit her back out without batting an eyelash.

"We'll see," Julie told him, as if she knew something he didn't. Some  significant piece to the puzzle that hadn't yet fallen into place.

Chumming up to him was one thing, but why would Amelia befriend Julie?  What did she possibly stand to gain? Or was she just screwing with his  head, hoping to cause chaos? Anything to make herself the center of  attention.

"What do you think of cats?" Julie asked, and the abrupt change of subject threw him for a second.

"I think they're delicious. Why?"

She laughed, and it was truly like music to his ears. He liked making her happy, seeing her smile.

"I'm being serious. Do you like them?"

"I don't dislike them. We had several at the ranch when I was growing up. But they were always more of my mother's thing."

She frowned. "Oh."

"Why do you ask?"

"The shelter is filled beyond capacity, and I've never actually had a  pet, so I thought maybe a kitten...but it sounds like it would be a bad  idea."

"Why not a dog? I like dogs."

"Let's be honest. Neither of us has the time for a dog. Our schedules are just too busy."
                       
       
           



       
He couldn't deny that. "You're right. But a cat?" He made a sour face. "They're so...sneaky."

"Never mind. Like I said, it was just a thought."

She sure didn't put up much of a fight.

He shrugged apologetically and said, "Sorry."

"No, it's okay," she said, forcing a smile. And not a very convincing  one. "I've gone this long without one. When I get my own place I'll have  to find a pet-friendly apartment this time."

Though he knew it was inevitable, the thought of her eventually moving  out didn't sit well with him. He liked having her there, knowing that  she was just across the hall if he needed her, or if she needed him.  Though he would much rather she be a permanent addition to his bed, even  if all they intended to do was sleep. He'd gently suggested on more  than one occasion that she stay the night in his room, but she never  would. Their wedding night had been the only exception.