She thought about that one for a minute. "Oh. His car. There's a sticker in the back window about the PGA Tour. I think he likes golf."
"Okay, that's an in. How are your golf skills?"
"Golf? Are you kidding? Trekking outside in the hot sun trying to get a little ball into a hole does not sound like my idea of fun. I'd rather skin my right arm with my teeth."
He actually chuckled. "If this man that you think walks on water is a huge golf fanatic, how do you think he's going to react when he hears your feelings about his favorite sport? You know, if you want, I could take you out for a few lessons. Maybe you'll find it's not as painful as you think."
"Only if I'm desperate enough."
"Don't sweet-talk me, now," he said wryly. "What else have you got? Any favorite foods or restaurants? Bars he hangs out at?"
She honestly didn't know. And that realization was really depressing. Other than being perfectly perfect, with those sweet, smiling eyes and a voice like butter-and the details of his life appropriate for a résumé-she didn't know much more about her crush.
Henry must have understood from her silence that she had nothing. "Why don't you spend the next few days at work finding out whatever you can about the good doctor? Take a look around his office if you can-there's got to be some insight."
It made sense. Even if it felt a little weird to have to spy on her own colleague.
"The other possibility is you could actually hold a conversation with the man. See what he did over the weekend. In fact, why don't I set you up with one little task to do first thing Monday." She looked up to see him appraising her. "You're going to hold an actual bona fide conversation with the man. And initiate it if you have to."
Her stomach roiled at the prospect. What if she couldn't even squeeze a word out and ended up hyperventilating and passing out?
Henry was smiling. "Here's what you're going to do."
Chapter Six
Henry was not in a good mood when at nine o'clock Monday morning his sister finally called him back to assure him she was in town and would be picking up her daughter from day camp.
"Henry. I already told you how much I appreciate you helping me out of that jam. Are you wanting blood, too?" Morgan quipped when he answered.
"Funny. How'd your trip go?" he asked, wanting to ease into the discussion.
"Fantastic, actually. Not only did the seminar sell out, but I unloaded close to two thousand copies of my books."
"Great to hear, Morgan." He really was happy for her success. Like him, his sister hadn't wanted to rest on their family's laurels when she set out. She'd wanted to do it on her own, and from all accounts was doing it well. It wasn't her career, however, he was worried about. "Ella's just fine, in case you were wondering."
She paused just for a moment. "Yes, I'm sure she is, Henry. I knew that she'd be more than fine in your capable hands. Are you seriously about to give me attitude because I trusted her care to you this weekend? Knew you'd have everything under control?"
"No, but I am giving you shit because Ella missed you. And from what I've learned from her, she's barely seen you more than I have over the past month. She needs you, Morgan."
"I love Ella more than anything on this earth," she said quietly, but the anger was there. "Everything I'm doing-these tours, these seminars and speaking engagements-is for her. For us. It might be a little rocky right now, but that's because I need to create my platform. Once I have a steady fan base, name recognition that will sell my next book, then things will quiet down and I'll be around a lot more. But really, Henry? You are the last person who should be dishing out advice about anyone's personal life."
He sighed. "I am only saying this because I love Ella and don't want to see you repeat mistakes that she made." He didn't have to say whom he meant. They both knew. No matter how long it might be, how grown-up they were, their mother and the pain their childhood caused would always be something they'd remember. "Don't take for granted the best thing you have in your life."
"I know you mean well, Henry. I do. But I've got this. I know what I'm doing. Is there anything else?"
"Nah. Glad you're home."
He hung up and stared out the window for a minute, a memory niggling at the back of his mind. He'd been eleven, having just returned to his mother's stately home after his dad died. He was scared and heartbroken but determined not to show it, instead trying to pretend he didn't care. Didn't care about the life he'd lost, his father, or that his own mother looked at him like she barely remembered his name. And he certainly didn't care for or even like the four-year-old blond girl in pigtails who tagged around after him, so excited to have someone else around the house she could try to connect with. At least, that's what he'd told himself.
But Morgan had been persistent, and soon enough he found himself a guest at her tea parties, sitting opposite her as they drank from empty teacups and nibbled on broken-up Pop-Tarts. And liking it. Liking her, even though he'd tried to fight it.
She'd given him something to love again. An adoring little sister who thought the sun rose and set behind him. But somewhere in the past few years, life had become busier, and the closeness they'd once had as kids became a distant memory.
How had he let that happen?
But this weekend, he'd had the most fulfilling few days he'd had in a while. Spending time with his niece, sharing little moments like bedtime stories and singing songs in the car on the way to her day camp. Holding her on his lap as she giggled when he fumbled over her silly Angry Birds game while Benny tried on clothes. Holding her hand when Benny pried the Skittle from her nose. It had been nice.
Then there was Benny.
A woman who both frustrated and amused him at the same time. She was definitely unlike any woman he'd ever been around. Women usually flirted with and teased him, looking for some angle to get their hooks into him. Benny Sorensen barely tolerated him. The woman was crazy and outspoken and stubborn.
But she was also bighearted, rushing to help Ella not because she felt an obligation as a doctor, but because she genuinely cared. And she made him laugh. Made him actually look forward to their next meeting.
In fact, tonight, he might have to stop by her place just to see how today went.
See if she'd managed some face time with Dr. Seeley without physically maiming someone.
Benny stood outside Luke's office, a Starbucks cup in each hand.
You can do this. It's like Henry said. Pretend Luke is just another colleague, a friend. Pretend he's your last boyfriend, Chip. And, if worst comes to worst, pretend he's Henry. That should quell any nervousness she had at speaking to him.
Taking a breath, she stepped inside the doorway. Luke's head was bent down over his desk as he wrote notes on a chart. Apparently he hadn't heard her arrive.
She cleared her throat nervously, only it sounded a lot worse than she would have liked and she nearly choked on the phlegm she'd rattled up. Lovely.
He glanced up and broke into a smile. "Dr. Sorensen. Benny. Good to see you."
Okay. Just the start she was hoping for. She held up one of the cups. "Thought I'd bring you a fresh coffee this morning. Payback for the last cup that I cost you." It had sounded really good in her head, but somehow, all the oxygen had squeezed out of her lungs and, as she'd tried to speak, her voice sounded alarmingly like one of the Chipmunks. She took in a breath, trying not to appear as winded as she felt.
"Coffee sounds pretty good. Thanks." He waited, and she realized she was supposed to bring him his cup.
Careful. You don't want to trip and send this coffee sailing into his lap.
Even though the shoes Henry had picked out were stylish slip-ons without even a heel, she felt unsteady outside of her reliable sneakers with the orthopedic inserts. But she had to admit, they did pull together the look of her black ankle-length pants and the blue shirt she'd liked so much. She had even brushed her hair out and loosened her ponytail. The effect, with the small gold hoop earrings Henry had made her buy, softened her features a bit. Not bad.
He took the cup from her. "Thanks." His eyes seemed to pause on her, taking in her face-for possibly the first time-and a quick once-over down to her shoes as he took a drink. Was that a flicker of surprise in his eyes?
She took a sip of her own drink, steadying the excitement creeping over her. Maybe there had been some truth in Henry's assessment. She felt a little more confident today. More feminine as she'd stood in front of the mirror, noticing the way the formfitting clothes gave her an hourglass appearance. Was Luke picking up on that?
Silence followed. Now what? Oh, the weekend. Details. She'd heard people turn the phrase often enough, and she'd done it herself a time or two. But not when it came to Luke Seeley.
"So, how was your weekend?" she forced herself to say. Above Luke's head was an autographed photo of a golf pro she didn't recognize, unsurprisingly. Inspiration struck. "It was a beautiful weekend for golf, right?"
His light hazel eyes shined. "It was amazing. I spent practically the whole weekend on the greens. I shot an eighty-three on Saturday and eighty-four on Sunday. My driver and long clubs were spot-on, and I hit one of my best games. Do you play?" he asked and took a drink from his cup.