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“Okay, shoot.”
Suddenly Merrick couldn’t bring himself to say it. It sounded so selfish, to even consider making love to her so soon. He should just man up and keep his hands off of her.
“Well?”
“Oh,” Merrick tried to think of something else that could be important. “I wanted to talk to you about what you’d say to her. Do you want me to be there? What if she reacts badly? The FBI wants her to know who she is before they question her tomorrow.”
Doctor Garcia examined Merrick’s face with curiosity in her gaze. “That wasn’t what you really wanted to ask me, now was it?”
Damn it. Is it that obvious? “I’m not paying you to psychoanalyze me.”
“Let me tell you what I think is really on your mind.”
“Alright.”
“You know that Bombshell is not going to be happy when she learns the truth, no matter how gently or carefully we break it to her. You’re looking for reassurances, guarantees. Well, I can’t offer them.”
Merrick opened and closed his fists, but said nothing.
“The trouble is, she’s too happy with her current life. The trouble is that she’s in love with you.”
Merrick’s heart skipped a beat then a nearby slot machine started ringing and a women started screaming with glee. Someone had just won a jackpot. “What did you say?” He had to shout out the words, as the cacophony of bells and ringing and excitement made normal conversation impossible.
“I said,” the doctor yelled over the din, “I said, she thinks she’s in love with you.”
Merrick couldn’t believe it. “But she’s got amnesia —it doesn’t count.”
“Maybe not, but that’s not how she sees it. I’m afraid, no matter how we tell her tomorrow, it’s going to hurt her, real bad. Which is why I wanted a night to think on this. I’m stumped how best to break it to her.”
A cocktail waitress came by with a tray of rum and cokes. The doctor grabbed one and downed it in three gulps. Merrick declined.
The doctor looked at Merrick. “I’m concerned about her long term mental health. I worry that tomorrow might shock her system. When she finds out that you’re not really her fiancé, I think that’s going to upset her more than anything else.”
Merrick turned away. He didn’t want the doctor to see the pain on his face.
“You know doctor. If I hadn’t received the Missing Person flyer and it the FBI hadn’t shown up – I might have kept this ruse going indefinitely. Hell, I might have even gone down the aisle with her. But, now…”
Merrick faltered. He couldn’t say it.
“But now, what?”
“What if I lose her? I couldn’t bear it.”
“Then do it,” she said.
“Come again?”
“Put a ring on her finger, do it before I meet with her tomorrow. Hell, you should do it tonight. Then when she has to face all this truth business, you can assure her that wanting to marry her wasn’t one of the lies. It might help her through it.”
Merrick stared at the slightly intoxicated doctor as hope blossomed in his heart. Why hadn’t her thought of that?
Merrick got up from his chair and pulled the smiling psychologist to her feet. He hugged her then planted a try kiss on her mouth. “Thank you, Doctor.” Merrick hurried out of the casino, almost upsetting a cocktail waitress with another tray of drinks.
As he crossed through the lobby, one of his staff tried to get his attention. He waved the distraction away and made a beeline for the valet. He checked his watch. Only eight o’clock. He still had plenty of time. He checked his wallet, making sure he had his black American Express card. His car came and he jumped inside, and headed towards the shopping district. He had an engagement ring to buy.
After making a spending decision without considering price, he had a few moments as he waited for the salesman to put together his purchase and polish the 4 carat diamond ring. So, he called Linda. She answered on the first ring.
“What’s up, Merrick?”
