Page 23 of Heal Me
“Or maybe it’s the perfect time,” Chase countered. “I believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe you were supposed to meet Kate. Are you sure it’s not just because you had great sex?”
Ric drummed his fingers on the desk. “I’ve been asking myself the same thing. It wasn’t just great, Chase. It was phenomenal. I’m talking off the Richter scale.”
Chase leaned forward and put his elbows on the table where he sat. “But what made it phenomenal? Did she do something that other women haven’t in the past?”
“Well, I’ve had a few women attack me before, but it didn’t affect me the way it did when Kate did it. The thing is that I really wasn’t expecting to sleep with her that night. Did the thought run across my mind? Only every five seconds, but I didn’t think anything would actually happen,” Ric said.
“Why not? If you’d taken any other woman up there, wouldn’t you have pushed the issue of sex? I mean, convince her with your considerable powers of persuasion?” Chase asked, waggling his eyebrows.
It was true. Ric was a master at seduction and there had rarely been a woman whom he couldn’t talk into bed, but he’d wanted more from Kate that night. He hadn’t just suffered his way through dinner making polite conversation the way he usually did. Unlike with other women, he’d connected with Kate on more than just a physical level.
“Ric, the fact that it’s taking you this long to answer my question says that you care about this woman.”
Ric shook his head. “We just met. How can that be?”
“My granddaddy was the smartest person I’ve ever met, Ric. I once asked him about this very topic. He told me that when it comes to love, there is no such thing as too soon or too late. Love happens in its own time, not when we think it should,” Chase said.
“Love?” Ric scoffed. “Who said anything about love? I just really like Kate, that’s all. It’s not like I’m looking for anything serious. I’ll be going back to New York in a few weeks. I don’t need any entanglements.”
Chase grew very sober. “Ric, if you don’t think that you’re in love, why are we having this conversation? As long as I’ve known you, you’ve never asked for advice about women from me, or anyone else, as far as I know. You never even asked for my advice about Lizzie and you loved her.”
“How did you know?” Ric had never mentioned his attraction to Lizzie to anyone until he’d recently told Emily and Ty.
“Because I got eyes and I pick up on that kind of shit. I just never mentioned it because I could tell that you were trying to hide it,” Chase said. “I figured that if you wanted anyone to know, you’d say something.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” Ric said. “Especially because nothing was ever going to come of my feelings for her.”
“Because of Simon. I understand.” Chase scratched his jaw. “Ric, you have a decision to make. You either leave things the way they are so that neither of you gets hurt when you have to go back to New York, or you see where things lead and think about the possibility of a long-distance relationship. What you’re willing to do depends on how much you care for her. Seems to me like she’s pretty special to have gotten you twisted up like this already.”
Ric nodded. “Yeah. She is.”
“In that case, don’t let her get away, my friend.”
Ric narrowed his eyes at Chase. “How come you haven’t given serious consideration to finding someone to settle down with?”
Chase grinned. “Happy families are not for everyone. I’m not really looking for the family life. I don’t think any woman would put up with my strange habits.”
Ric noted the sad look that had entered Chase’s eyes as if he didn’t want to believe what he was saying. Chase had always said he would never have a wife or family and yet he was the one man who had such a big heart. He was great with other people’s kids, and he loved Hayley to death. Something didn’t ring true.
“It seems to me women flock to your strange habits. Don’t let your parents’ marriage cloud your judgment.”
“I don’t. My ass hat father is one of a kind, that’s for sure. Nah, the babes like my money, nothing more.”
“Partly true, but it’s always you that ends the relationships so I think you’re full of bull as usual. You just haven’t met the right woman.”
“I’m not sure there is a right woman for me. But it seems you have found one that raises the possibility of commitment. Of course, it could be Emily and Ty rubbing off on you.”
Ric smiled and shook his head. “It could be. That’s what I’m worried about. What if I go back to New York and find I like my life just as it is?”
Chase shrugged. “Then you’ll have to let her down gently. You have to be true to yourself or it’s not fair on either of you.” He gave a wry smile. “Keep me posted on how things are going, good buddy.”
“Thanks, good buddy. I will.”
Ric hit the end button and closed the lid on his laptop. Coco had been laying at his feet, but when he turned in his chair, she stood up, wagging her tail.
“What do you think, Coco? Should I date Kate?” He ruffled her ears and scratched them for her as he looked into her light brown eyes. “You’re such a pretty girl. I’m so glad you’re feeling better. No more waste can scrummaging for you.”
Coco wiggled her whole body and licked Ric’s hands. He laughed and asked, “Do you want to go out?”
Coco cocked her head to the side for a moment and then took off running for the kitchen door. Grabbing his crutches, Ric followed Coco. A smile spread across his face as he put on his jacket and opened the door for Coco. He’d made up his mind about what to do about the stunning Dr. Donoghue and decided that a personal visit was in order.
