After Hours (17 page)

“Sir,” one of the attendants said. “If you’d like--”

“I’m fine,” he said heading for the door.

“Curtis?”

He paused then briefly closed his eyes. He knew that voice and she was the last person he wanted to see right now. She had no right to call his name. He took a deep breath then slowly spun around. “Crystal.”

She took a quick step back, as if she’d just approached a dangerous animal. “I’m sorry.”

He took a step forward. “Why?”

Her voice rose a notch and she took another step back. “I heard about your attack. I’m glad you’re alright.”

Curtis stopped. Scaring her was fun, but it wasn’t fair. She was too easy a target. “Thank you.”

She gave a nervous laugh. “Never thought I’d find you in a place like this. Are you getting something for Amera?”

He stilled, trying to process he words. “What?”

Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, I forgot I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

“Amera told you about us?”

Crystal shook her head. “No, I figured it out when I saw the ring.”

“Before or after my accident?”

She shook her head again, this time with agitation. “I--I don’t remember.”

“Try.”
“I think it was before.”

“Do you think or do you know?”

“I don’t..wait.” Crystal pulled out her phone. “I had an appointment that day I can check. Yes, yes it was definitely before.” She looked up at him curious. “Does it make a difference?”

Yes
, he thought feeling the tension in him relax. Owen hadn’t lied to him when he said only he and Amera knew about his memory loss. Amera hadn’t bragged to others about being his wife. That was good. “Do you like Amera?”

“Yes.”

He pointed at her. “Then don’t make a slip like that again, to anyone. Not even her.”

“Okay. Do you need some help?”

“Help?”

“Were you planning on getting something for her? I can’t think of another reason why you’d be shopping in the women’s department.”

She was right and he wasn’t too proud to get help. “What would you suggest giving a woman going to a party?”

She was living a fairy tale
, Amera thought as she made her way around the elegant ballroom beaming with holiday lights and decorations. She wore a blue lace bodice gown and Curtis had given her a stunning Tahitian pearl necklace and had her driven to the event. He made her feel like a princess, but the moment she entered the room she felt like a queen. All eyes turned to her. She’d never had that happen before. She was used to that happening when she was at Curtis’ side, never by herself. Women looked at her with envy, men looked with lascivious interest. They asked her to dance, held out her chair and chatted with her.

“Excuse me,” Owen said, expertly pulling her into a dancer’s pose and away from her latest male companion. “Where’s Bishop?”

“He’s at home.”

“I’m surprised he let you leave the house. You’re a vision.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you sure he’s not hiding somewhere ready to come out and grab me for dancing with his wife?”

Amera laughed, amused by the idea. “I’m positive. He’d never come to one of these events.”

“Even for you?”

“I told him not to come.”

“And I bet you regret that.”

The truth of his words surprised her. Yes, she missed him. She wished she could have had a chance to dance with him. But he didn’t like to dance. Except for Monday, he’d spent the rest of the week working from home and she’d grown accustomed to his presence. She’d given up the idea of trying to get her job back, because once his memory returned she planned to be as far away from him as possible. “No, he wouldn’t have enjoyed himself and neither would anyone else.”

“True. So how are things going so far?”

“Great I’m making real progress. He’s looking into keeping the factory open.”

Owen’s brows shot up. “Wow, love really does change a person.”

“Love?”

“You know what I mean.”

“No, I don’t. Be specific.”

He grinned. “You’re starting to sound like your husband.”

Amera stopped dancing. “Do you think his memory loss is amusing?”

“No. I just--.”

“I already feel guilty as it is. I’ve considered ending it tomorrow.”

“No, don’t do that,” Owen said quickly.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re doing so much good. Bishop had me look some more into Valdan.”

“Good? Is it really good to use someone like this? He’s not himself. Even you think his behavior is out of character. He thinks--”

“He’s in love with you,” Owen finished.

“He hasn’t said that.”

“Does he have to?”

“But it’s not real.” Amera looked down at her dress then around at the festivities. “None of this is real.”

Owen began to reply when his cell phone rang. He looked at the number and swore. “I have to take this, but don’t go anywhere,” he said then left.

***

He wasn’t supposed to envy the cockroaches. He wasn’t supposed to want to be a rat, even for a minute. But he did.
Curtis watched from the balcony as Amera made her way around the ballroom floor below. The week had gone by too fast and he was running out of time. He had to remember what was important about that night before his charade unraveled. He’d gone back to the parking lot twice, retracing his steps, but still nothing came to him.

He sighed and rested his hands on the railing. He’d never attended the office party before, but tonight he couldn’t stay away. He wanted to be where she was. For just one night, he wanted to be an ordinary man. He didn’t want to be separated from everyone. For the first time in his life, being a winner felt lonely. He wished he could dance with Amera as the other men did. He had to stop himself from going down and claiming her. When he saw Owen take her to the middle of the dance floor some of his tension ebbed, but not by much. He saw the two of them talking and wondered what they were saying. He pulled out his cell phone and sent Owen a text.

Minutes later Owen came running up to him. “What’s wrong? I didn’t know you were here. Why are you hiding? Why aren’t you with her?”

Curtis gripped the railing and kept his voice low. “Are you being dumb on purpose or are you trying to make me laugh?”

“It’s just that she misses you.”

Curtis looked at him sharply. “Did she say that?”

“No, but I could tell.”

“How?”

Owen rubbed the back of his neck, confused. “What do you mean ‘how’?”

“How would you know if she didn’t tell you?”

Owen shrugged. “You just get a sense.”

“A sense of what?” Curtis snapped.

“You really can’t be this clueless about your wife.”

Curtis’ gaze darkened. “She’s
not
my wife and you know that.”

“Right,” Owen said sounding unconvinced. “And you don’t love her and she doesn’t love you and this is all one big charade.”

“Exactly.”

Owen ran a tired hand down his face. “You two could drive me to drink.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and shook his head. “Wait, you already did that. Never mind.”

Curtis frowned. “Are you drunk right now?”

“No, but this conversation makes me regret not being so.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine, I’ll do what you want. You want to keep this charade going?”

“I don’t have a choice,” Curtis said in a grim tone.

Owen sighed. “Okay. But what about her?”

His tone hardened. “What about her?”

“She’s thinking of telling you the truth.”

Curtis felt his heart pick up pace. Didn’t she like pretending to be his wife? Did dancing with all the men change her opinion of him? He was certain the bond they felt was mutual and DeWall had said she missed him. But DeWall hadn’t given him specifics, just a feeling. Could he trust feelings? Maybe not, but he wasn’t ready to lose her yet. “What did you say?”

“I tried to convince her not to.”

“‘Tried’ is not an outcome. Did you succeed or not?”

Owen shrugged. “I don’t know. I was talking to her when you called.”

“Convince her to give me more time. Another week.”

Owen gave a low whistle. “That’s stretching it. You think you’ll get your full memory back by then?”

No, but he needed more time to convince her that he was the man for her. “Yes.”

Owen nodded. “Then I’ll make it happen.”

***

“Is something the matter?” Amera asked concerned when Owen returned with a frown.

“You’re having a good time. I don’t want to worry you.”

“About what?”

“I just got a call from Bishop and some of the things he said didn’t make sense. I was just reminded of how his doctor said that shock could be detrimental. I understand that this is hard for you, but C-couldn’t you just keep this up for another week?”

Amera bit her lip, part of her eager to keep the charade going, but part of her knowing the longer they kept it up, the greater the risk of discovery. “You said a few days. We’ve already--”

“This is really something you two should talk about,” he mumbled.

“What?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. Just that I think it’s for the best. Just keep it going for a few more days. Maybe you could take him away somewhere.”

Amera tilted her head, thoughtful. “His brother invited him for the holidays. There are five days to Christmas so there’s still enough time.”

Owen stiffened with alarm. “Uh, that’s not what I was--”

Amera clapped her hands together, warming to the idea. “This would be great.”

“How about something a little more romantic?”

“A family reunion for the holidays. I can just picture it now. His mother really wants to see him. This may be her last chance.”

“I don’t think--.”

“Now I won’t feel so guilty because I’ll be doing something for him. He should be with his family for the holidays. Please help me make that happen.”

“But--.”

Amera smiled pleased with her plan. “I don’t expect you to do much, just explain the situation to them. I’ll make this a holiday to remember.”

Someone was going to pay for this.
Curtis sat beside Amera in a quiet rage as she drove up to his brother’s house. A place he’d never visited but only knew from a picture his brother had once shown him. He hadn’t even known her intention until that moment. He’d trusted her. He’d willingly let her take him here. She said she had a special surprise for him. She’d turned him into a fool.

“What is this?” he asked when she parked.

“We decided to visit your family this year.”

Curtis bit inside his cheek. She’d turned him into a sucker. He still remembered the night they had together after she returned from the holiday party and the three days after it--he’d flown her to London for a shopping spree. He hadn’t been on guard when he should have.

Yes, someone had to pay. He didn’t know when. He didn’t know how, he didn’t even know who--whether it should be Owen for not warning him or Amera. He didn’t mind her deception about the factory, but coming up with a family gathering was something else. He could end things now. He could tell her that his memory was back and that he knew they weren’t really married. Then he wouldn’t have to see his mother again and pretend that things were okay. But he couldn’t. Not until that one key memory came back.

He’d tried to hypnotize himself to remember, meditated, tried to get into a dream state but nothing worked.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“It’s just for two days.”

“I don’t care,” he said, wondering how he could fight her without revealing the truth. He gripped his hands into fists. “Let’s go. Now.”

“But your brother’s already seen us.”

“I don’t care. Do you want me to drive?”

She gripped his hands. “Please give this a chance. We’ve worked hard on this visit.”

Dammit, why did she sound so sincere? What was she getting out of this? He silently swore again and got out of the car.

“Hey Amera, Curtis, glad you could make it,” Kyle said giving him a friendly, hearty pat on the back. “Your room is at the top of the stairs second to the left.”

Curtis took their bags and headed in that direction.

“If you need a hand--”

“I’m fine,” Curtis said, pushing past him. Behind him he heard his brother say, “Are you sure this is good idea? He doesn’t look too happy to be here.”

“At least your mother will get to see him,” Amera said.

“She should be here soon, she went to get her hair done. She wanted to look her best.”

Curtis stormed into the house, found the guest bedroom where they would stay, then threw the suitcases on the bed. Dammit, she’d gotten his brother in on it too. Of course. That was the only way it would work. Would he ask for another donation to his charity? What would his mother want? He was just one big checkbook to them. Curtis glanced at his watch. He’d only been there ten minutes and he hated it. How could he stomach two days? He sat down on the bed and swore. Come on...why couldn’t he remember?