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“So there was a connection between the two of you at my wedding. I wasn’t imagining it.”
Madison chose her words carefully. “Jason and I met at the costume party, and yes, there was a connection. I didn’t know until the next day that he was the man Corinna had a crush on—neither of you had mentioned a name to me. And he, well—”
“He felt free to get to know anyone he wanted, since he’d made it clear to Corinna that there was nothing between them and never would be,” BiBi filled in somewhat bluntly.
“Yes. As soon as I realized who he was, I told him I thought we should keep our distance, because I didn’t want to do anything to hurt Corinna or upset you. But, well, somehow we just kept drifting back together.”
BiBi’s sigh came clearly through the phone. “Now I feel guilty. You met a great guy and you couldn’t have a good time with him because I was being such a diva. I still groan every time I remember how I acted to you, bringing up the past and all.”
“I understood, BiBi.” To a point. “You were protecting your little sister.”
“Foolishly,” BiBi admitted. “I mean, I wasn’t doing her any favors to encourage her to think Jason might change his mind about her. I guess I just got carried away with all the wedding stuff, you know?”
“I know,” Madison replied gently. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s great. She’s been seeing Brandon quite a bit. I think there’s some rebound involved, but she seems to really enjoy being with him for now, anyway. And he thinks the sun rises and sets with her, so that’s what she needed right now. She told me she’s a little embarrassed now about letting herself be carried away with her schoolgirl crush on Jason, especially since she’s decided they’d never really work as a couple, anyway.”
“That was awfully quick,” Madison said somewhat doubtfully, wondering if Corinna was protesting too much.
“Well, really, she hasn’t spent that much time with him in the past few years. She was away for college and then pharmacy school, and I think she romanticized him more than a bit—something that was encouraged by both families, for that matter. I think now she’s seeing him a little more clearly. I mean, yeah, he’s a great guy and all, but a woman would have to have the patience of a saint to put up with his divided attention!”
Madison wasn’t quite sure what to say to that. Jason had made time in his crazy schedule to visit her that week, but that was no indication he could continue to do so in the future, even if they tried to maintain a relationship. And with the demands on her own time, she imagined people felt the same way about her—that a man would have to be very patient to accept the time she had left to offer. Of course, both of her siblings were in highly demanding medical careers, surgery being even more all-consuming than psychiatry, yet they’d both found mates who not only accepted those commitments but actively supported them.
“So, anyway,” BiBi continued breezily, “if you want to see Jason, I’m okay with it. And I’m sure Corinna will be, too, once she has a little time to get used to the idea.”
“Look, BiBi, it’s not like Jason and I are a couple or anything. I mean, we’ve shared a few hours together, total. We’ll be spending tomorrow with our separate families, then I assume he’ll head back to Dallas soon.”
“Still, something could happen. Especially if you choose the fellowship program here in Dallas. You know I would love it if you were that close, and I bet Jason wouldn’t complain, either.”
Even though BiBi couldn’t see her, Madison resisted an impulse to roll her eyes. Talk about a complete turnaround! Now BiBi was going to push her into Jason’s arms?
She knew newlyweds had a reputation for wanting to see all their single friends hooked up, but Madison would just as soon BiBi would back off this time. It had been more comfortable all around when no one else had known Madison and Jason were hanging out together. She’d never really expected it to become an issue, since she’d thought their goodbyes in Dallas had been permanent.
“Look, BiBi, I appreciate what you’re doing. I didn’t like feeling that I was keeping secrets from you, and I’m glad we can be honest with each other.” To a point. “But you have to understand that as much as I like Jason, it’s very unlikely anything permanent will develop between us. We’re just having a little fun in our crazy schedules while we have some time off for the holiday. I’m sure before long we’ll both be too busy to even send a text message.”
She should have expected BiBi’s loyal instincts to kick into high gear. “If that’s true, then Jason’s even more of an idiot than I thought. If he has any sense at all, he’ll do whatever he has to do to keep you in his life.”
There was no arguing with BiBi on this subject. Madison just hoped her friend would keep this conversation between the two of them. She was fairly confident in that respect. BiBi had her flaws, as Madison did herself, but gossip wasn’t one of them.
Promising they would talk again soon, they wished each other happy Thanksgiving and then concluded the call. Madison drained her latte, then tossed the cup into the compostable bin before heading once again for the stairwell. She would call her mom from the parking lot after using the walk to her car to clear her head a little.
She still hadn’t decided if she was going to mention Jason to her family tomorrow. Wasn’t sure what she’d say if she did. How would she casually bring up a heated, impetuous and likely fleeting affair to her mother, sister and brother? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t had other rather brief, casual liaisons—but there was something different about Jason. About her convoluted feelings for him. And she wasn’t sure she could discuss him without revealing too much to their all-too-discerning family.
She was afraid they might see that for the first time in her life, she had fallen hard and fast. As quickly as it had happened, as unlikely as it was to end happily, as bad as her timing—she was beginning to suspect she had tumbled precipitously into love with this ultra-responsible, deeply-rooted, commitment-overloaded family doc. And that scared her right down to her previously carefully guarded heart.
Madison had given Jason her spare key so he could let himself into her apartment if he got there before she did. He had asked her if she’d rather he check into a hotel for the remainder of his visit, and she had taken a moment to think before answering. While she couldn’t help worrying a little that having him stay with her would become awkward—or that she would like it a bit too much!—she still found herself unable to ask him to leave.
His car was in the lot when she parked, and she felt her pulse rate accelerate at the thought of him waiting for her. She should have stopped for food, she realized as she climbed out of the car, shivering when a gust of cold wind tossed her hair and slithered into the open collar of her coat. She’d been too eager to see him again to even think about food until this moment. Considering the state of her pantry, they’d either have to eat leftover Chinese or order pizza unless he wanted to go out for a meal.
Letting herself into the apartment, she stopped in surprise when she was immediately greeted by delicious aromas. She could see Jason moving around in her little kitchen. He’d cooked for her?
There were flowers and candles on her table, she realized. And music drifting from the kitchen. She took a couple of steps, then paused abruptly when she recognized the song. An oldie. “Leather and Lace.” She swallowed when Tom Petty wailed about never wanting to leave once he walked into his lover’s house. Just the mention of the word moonlight in the song made her knees go weak as she remembered that first lovely kiss.
“Jason?”
His hum dying in his throat, he whirled, spoon in hand. “Oh. Hi. I didn’t hear you come in.”
His shirt was partially unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up on his forearms. A lock of his dark hair fell over his forehead. He looked so sexy and charming pottering around in her kitchen that she couldn’t help sliding a little farther into love with him.
