The Perfect Christmas - Debbie Macomber [40]
“Would you please ask Mr. Dodson to return my call? It’s…an emergency.”
She didn’t have to wait long for him to call back. When his name flashed across caller ID, Cassie exhaled a huge sigh of relief.
“Simon?” she said.
“Yes.”
Cassie smiled at his gruff, unfriendly tone. She felt better already.
“There’s been a change in our dinner plans.”
“That’s why you phoned?”
“Yes. My brother and Angie won’t be attending.”
“That’s your emergency?’
“This might not be earth-shattering to you but—”
“Cassie…”
“I knew they were secretly involved, or at least I guessed they were. It’s wonderful for them. They make a fabulous couple. I couldn’t be happier, even if it means I’m going to lose my best friend.”
Her outburst was followed by a short silence. “I don’t quite understand why you called me. And I suggest you think of it as gaining a sister-in-law,” he advised wryly, “not losing a friend.”
“Yes, that’s true, but she’ll leave Seattle and the lab…?. Anyway,” she said in a more cheerful voice, “I wanted to let you know you were right about her being in love.”
“Of course I was right. Did you seriously doubt it?”
“Well, perhaps not.” She paused. “I shouldn’t have called. You must consider me a nuisance.”
“We can agree on that,” he murmured.
“I know you regret taking me on as a client and I apologize for being such a pest.”
“I’ve dealt with worse clients.”
Funny how reassuring Cassie found even that faint encouragement.
He exhaled slowly. “You’re upset. Is it because of your friend and your brother? Anything that upsets the status quo—even a good thing like this—takes time to accept.”
Cassie wasn’t sure why she’d felt such an overwhelming urge to hear his voice. His certainty was comforting, she supposed. He always had an answer, a reason, a solution.
“How can I help?” he asked, his tone almost gentle.
“I…I don’t know.”
“I have an idea,” he said, his voice brightening.
“What?”
“I’ll tell you something else about John.”
“John?”
“The man I’ve matched you with.”
“Oh. Yes.” The man she’d paid thirty thousand dollars to meet. He’d completely slipped her mind.
“Okay,” he said. “Let me think about it.”
“What were you doing?” She felt guilty at the thought of interrupting him. “Before I called.”
“What was I doing?” he repeated. “Why do you ask?”
“If I’m being too much of a bother, I’ll hang up.” She viewed him as someone who operated with purpose. Someone whose day was filled with constant demands. He had too many responsibilities to be interrupted by such mundane matters as her doubts and insecurities.
“I’m watching a college football game.”
“You watch football?” He couldn’t have shocked her more had he said he was on an aircraft headed for the moon. Practically every day Simon surprised her with how…human he was.
“Why would you find that unusual?”
“I didn’t think football would interest you. It’s so…so normal.”
He laughed. “I am normal, Cassie. I’m like every other man.”
“No, you aren’t,” she insisted. “You aren’t like any other man I’ve ever known, and now I’m seeing this whole other side of you and it’s confusing.”
He muttered something under his breath; it sounded as if he’d said he was confused himself, but Cassie couldn’t be sure of that.
“About John,” he said, changing the subject.
“I don’t want to hear about John right now.”
“Maybe you should. It’ll adjust your focus.”
“No, thanks. I’ll be meeting him soon, won’t I?”
“I can arrange the meeting for Monday afternoon if you like. When I last spoke to him about scheduling a face-to-face, John was ecstatic. He’s very eager to make your acquaintance.”
“Oh.”
“He called it an early Christmas gift.”
“Oh, yes, Christmas.”
Silence stretched between them.
“I’ll get to your condo a few minutes early,” Simon said, filling the empty space. “I have your address. From your application—and the check.”
The thirty-thousand-dollar check…
“See you then,” he added.
“Yes, for dinner.” Not until she’d hung up her phone, did she wonder why he wanted to come early.
Chapter 13
Cassie was up half the night baking