“Thank you, Anna,” Cleo said. “We should get going. The traffic is unpredictable.”
We stepped outside, and I let Cleo take the side closest to the sidewalk. I checked the street before I opened the door and got into the back beside her.
She crossed her legs, pulled her phone out of her clutch to check it, and then returned it to the bag. She turned to me. “Do you mind if I take a look?”
I stared at her blankly.
“Sorry,” she said with a laugh. “I meant the picture.”
I pulled it out of my pocket, unlocked the screen, and handed it to her.
She almost didn’t take my phone, flinching at the gesture. The last time my phone had been in her possession was because I broke it and had no choice. Most of the time, I kept my laptop closed, kept my phone in my pocket, even though she had no reason to share my research with anyone else. But now I didn’t think twice about it. She opened my photos and stared at it. “Wow, we both look great.” She smiled then handed it back.
“Tucker said he wanted a picture of you in your dress.” I didn’t want her to think I was being inappropriate. I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable when she was giving up her Saturday to do this with me.
“Oh…” She nodded slowly, her smile gone. “Well, I’m glad it’s a good picture, then.” She looked out the window.
My gaze stayed on the side of her face, seeing the diamond earrings in her lobes. They looked real, flashing with a spectrum of color, tiny rainbows. The line between her face and neck was sharp because she was so slender, her features tight, her skin fair and rosy. With her legs crossed, one of her knees was visible. Knees weren’t attractive on anyone, but hers were cute.
As if she knew I was staring, she turned back to me.
I didn’t mean to stare as intently as I did, to study her features like data on a spreadsheet. Something about her features stimulated me, gave me a rush of chemicals that was pleasing to my brain.
She held my gaze, like she expected me to say something.
“Your earrings…they’re nice.” I didn’t ask her where she’d gotten them, because that seemed rude, to assume she couldn’t afford them on her own, but I suspected she didn’t have the income to buy diamond earrings like that.
“Oh?” She smiled as she touched one earlobe, feeling the stone with her fingertips. “They were my mother’s. I wear them on special occasions.”
I nodded. “Beautiful.”
“Thanks.” She held up her wrist, showing a white gold bracelet with a few diamonds studded in the chain. “This was hers too. She liked to collect jewelry.”
“Very nice.”
“My dad had a really nice watch, but I can’t wear that…”
She could probably pull it off.
“I thought I would give it to my husband or my son, but I never did. Maybe one day…”
I was glad she didn’t, because he didn’t deserve it.
She played with the bracelet on her wrist. “Tucker and I have been having a good time. He’s funny and sweet. The other day—”
“Is there an update on the cabin?”
She stopped talking, taking a few seconds to close her mouth and change the subject. “The rest of the inspections checked out, not that I’m surprised. So, it looks like we’ll just sign the papers on Monday. You’ll be the proud owner of that beautiful lake house.” If she was offended by the rude way I’d interrupted her, she didn’t show it. “I’m excited to get that place ready for you.”
“I’m sure it’ll be perfect.”
She smiled then looked out the window.
We didn’t talk for the rest of the drive.
We entered the main doors of the hospital, seeing everyone else already gathered there. The ribbon was in place, along with a big red bow. A waiter approached us and handed us two glasses of champagne.
The stuff was shit, but I took it anyway.
The traffic had held us up a bit, but they’d waited until I got there since it would be odd to have the ceremony without my presence.
Cleo stood close to my side, still inches shorter even in her heels. She looked at the large wall facing the tall windows that looked out to the city so the name could be seen from adjacent buildings. It only took her two seconds to release a quiet gasp. “Deacon Hamilton Medical Center…” She turned to me, her eyebrows so high they almost jumped off her face. “They named the hospital after you?” She kept her voice quiet so no one would overhear us.
I drank from my glass.
Her eyes softened, and she gripped my arm to give me an affectionate squeeze. “This is amazing…”
The New York mayor addressed everyone. “Thank you for coming for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. After eighteen months of long hours, the hospital is finally open to our community, giving this neighborhood the quality health care it deserves. When the board of directors was deciding on the name for this new hospital, a few names were suggested, but only one truly stuck out.” He turned to me. “Deacon Hamilton.”