Body Chemistry by Dara Girard Page B

bother me for three years.”
    “Would you like me to read your other messages?”
    “Um…no. Just leave them.” She placed them on the table, then left. Dominic slowly sank back in his seat. What did Brenda want? What was she up to? He picked up his yo-yo. He had to approach her with the right strategy. What should he say? Heard that you called? What’s wrong? What do you want? He’d follow her cues, if she was cool, he’d be cooler.
    Dominic lifted the phone receiver and began to dial.
    Natalie rushed into the room. “Dr. Ayers?”
    “I’m on the phone,” he snapped.
    “I know, but it’s an emergency. I have Mr. Woods from Science In The News on the line.”
    “Can’t you take a message?”
    “He said it’s urgent. One of the hosts for this evening’s live TV broadcast had a terrible accident, and he needs a replacement immediately.”
    Damn, he’d have to fly out immediately if he was going to do it. Richard Woods was a very good friend of his and wouldn’t have called him if he didn’t have to.
    Dominic swore and slammed down the phone.
    “They said the host will be all right and you’ll be compensated handsomely,” Natalie said quickly, misinterpreting his anger.
    “Fine.” He stood and grabbed his things. Brenda would have to wait.
     
    Three days. She’d been waiting for a response from Dominic for three days. Brenda sat in her living room, fuming. Nothing. Not a phone call, not an e-mail. Not even sky writing. No reply. Call me if you need anything. She’d been foolish to believe him. Each day was a reminder of why Dominic was her ex-husband. He was always busy. Why would this time be any different? She was probably at the bottom of his list of priorities. She’d been so preoccupied, she hadn’t tried on any of her new outfits and went to work dressed as usual. Once the ordeal was over regarding where to find funding, she would start wearing them, but presently she was too angry.
    The phone rang.
    She stared at it. Don’t get your hopes up—it’s not him, she reminded herself.
    It rang again.
    She answered. “Hello?”
    “Hello, this is Natalie Swanson. I’m calling on behalf of Dr. Ayers. He’d like to know if you’re free for dinner Friday.”
    “Yes,” Brenda replied. Finally he had found time to put her on his schedule. She tempered her excitement. She didn’t care; all she wanted was to meet with him, ask him for a loan and leave. Why did he want to meet over dinner? “Where does he want to meet me?”
    “He said he’ll send a car for you around 7:30 p.m.”
    “Thank you, but just send me directions. I’ll drive myself.”
    “It will be at his house,” she said tentatively.
    “That’s fine.”
    “Are you sure you don’t want a car?”
    “I’m sure. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” Natalie put down the phone, then glanced up when Dominic entered the reception area. He passed her desk and walked directly into his office. He looked exhausted. She knew he had completed the TV show, then visited the original host in the hospital. She also knew he’d been so busy he hadn’t attended to details like returning Brenda’s call. “I just spoke to Brenda,” she said as she took a chair in his office.
    He grabbed his yo-yo. “Yes?”
    She licked her lower lip. “About the dinner you wanted her to have with you.”
    “Dinner?”
    “Yes, remember you asked me to set one up for you for Friday at 7:30?”
    He set the yo-yo down. “I did?”
    “Yes,” she said firmly, determined that he would not uncover her ploy.
    He folded his arms, uncertain. “Did she agree?”
    “Yes, she’ll meet you at your place.”
    His brows shot up. “Brenda’s willing to come to my house?”
    “Yes.”
    He let his arms fall. “Good.” He smiled and looked a little brighter. “Thanks.”
    Natalie grinned, pleased with herself. “You’re welcome.”
     
    That Friday evening, Brenda dressed with care as she put on the red suit. Then she tried on the pair of black stockings