Pursuit For Lucidity (Crashing Waves) (8 page)

“
It was so good to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, but I should get going now.  I have to get up very early tomorrow morning.  We have a big meeting,” Alex got up to leave.

“
We just came to drop off some mail that had gone to Claire’s old condo since we were there today.  Don’t let us intrude.  Please finish your dinner,” my father expressed.  My parents started to head out, shaking hands with Alex again.  My mother looked at me as if she couldn’t wait for the juicy details.  I had a feeling they liked him. 

“
Alex, you should join us for dinner one night when Claire comes over,” my mother said.

“
I will definitely take you up on that offer, Mrs. Morgan,” Alex looked excited.

My parents left and I turned to Alex and took a deep breath and then exhaled.

“Claire, your parents are really great.  I can tell how much they love you and care about you.  I think they kind of like me also, don’t you think?” he grinned.

“
What’s there not to like, Dr. Blake?” I winked at him.

“
I was serious about accepting your mother’s dinner offer.  I would really like to have dinner with you and your parents someday,” he replied. He was definitely a keeper.

“
They would love that, especially my mother.  I think she liked you,” I said.

We finished eating and it was time for Ale
x to go home and get some sleep, so I could turn in early as well.  He gave me a very long hug and it felt so good to just be held like that.  He ran his fingers through my hair and softly kissed my lips and whispered, “Goodnight, beautiful.”

<><><>

Right before I climbed into bed, I called my mother because she had texted me a dozen times asking me to call her after Alex left.

“
Claire, why didn’t you tell us about this handsome Alex?  Did it say plastic surgery on his scrubs?  Your father and I apologize for just dropping by like that, but had we known you had company, we would never have showed up like that, honey.  So, tell me everything and don’t leave anything out.”  I told her the whole story, beginning with the flat tire, running into him at the new job, having no idea he worked there or was a surgeon.  I told her about the dinner dates, the lunch dates, the texts, the phone calls, and even the incident from the night before.

“
Claire, you have to be honest with him.  Don’t push him away.  Communication is key in a relationship.  You mustn’t assume he is like James or other men.  Everyone is different one way or another.  We all have different personalities, so don’t categorize anybody with assumptions,” my mother advised professionally.

My mother had helped me through thick and thin in my life
, so I knew her advice was best.  “Your father seemed to like him too, but he’s not one hundred percent.  You know how he is, overprotective of his little girl,” she reminded.

I
told my mother that Alex had invited me over to dinner Friday night and would be cooking for me.  She was ecstatic.  She said a man would not cook for a woman he wasn’t crazy about.  I hoped she was right about that. 

“
Where does Alex live, honey?” my mother asked.

“
Malibu,” I answered. 

My mother was silent for a few seconds, then she said, “Oh that’s nice, he’s Malibu Ken and you’re Encino B
arbie,” we both laughed at her remark.

“
I’m not even close to Barbie, mom,” I replied.

“
Oh, please Claire. You’re more beautiful than Barbie.  She might learn a few things from you,” she said.

“
Mom, you’re just saying that because I’m your daughter, but thank you.  It’s good to hear from time to time,” I said.

I climbed into bed a little early that night
, since I would be starting my day earlier than usual, since Walter had planned the big meeting with the surgical team.  I was very happy that night.  It had turned out to be a great day and I would see Alex early the next morning in the meeting.

<><><>

I woke up an hour earlier than usual on Wednesday morning to assure the breakfast arrived to the conference room on time before the meeting started.  I set up everything for the meeting and grabbed my recording device and laptop so that I would take notes.  Laura helped me set up and gave me a few pointers to make things easier for me.  The surgeons began to arrive, one by one.  Only nine were able to attend that meeting.

Alex made his way into the conference room and smiled as he looked at me and winked.
  “Good morning all.”

The last person who walked in was a very attractive blond woman.  I wondered if she was one of the surgeons as well.

“Good morning, Taryn,” Walter greeted her.

She was very beautiful with very long blond hair and bl
ue eyes.  I wondered if Alex found her attractive.  I kept my eyes on him to see if I could read his thoughts after she walked in and took a seat right next to him as if there were no other seats left in the conference room.  “Good morning, Dr. Blake.  How good to see you.  Did you trim your hair?” She asked, sitting dangerously close to him.

Walter began the meeting without wasting anymore time.  Everyone had self served themselves breakfast, poured themselves a cup of coffee and taken their seat.  I began to type away, making sure I noted everything that was discuss
ed.  The surgeons wanted more operating room time, their own personal surgical instruments, and upgraded equipment.  When I looked up, I noticed Alex had glued his eyes on me.  He smiled when my eyes met his.

There was something about this Taryn Simmonds that I did not like.  She dressed a little provocatively than she should in her position.  She revealed way too much cleavage in her low cut black lace top.  I continued to type, trying not to leave any important topic out.
  Just then, my phone beeped, notifying me of a new text message.  It was from Alex.

You look very hot when you are concentrating.  Please put your phone on silent.

I immediately turned my sound off on my phone, looking at him with my eyes wide, my looks telling him to stop texting me and that I couldn’t believe he just did that.

Dr. Blake, please put your phone away and pay attention in class.  You are disturbing me and I cannot do my job properly with such interruptions.

Aren’t you recording all of this on your handy dandy recorder you have on the conference table?  You can always listen to it later and take your notes then.

Ugh! Alex, you are so difficult.  Put your phone away, so the blond sexy woman next to you does not read our messages.  She’s sitting so close that she might be reading this word for word.

Are you a little jealous of the blond woman?  Don’t be.  She is too blond and her tan is a bit too orange for my liking.  Plus, her eyes are blue.  I like green eyes, just like yours.

I put my phone aside, so he would see I wasn’t going to play on my cell phone while in a meeting with my boss sitting across the table from me.  The meeting was over in less than two hours.  Everyone had been fed and Walter promised more operating room time for the surgeons, so they do not leave and perform their surgeries in other hospitals, which may offer more.  Before everyone got up to leave, Alex asked Walter, “Is this your new Administrative Assistant, Walter?”  Why did he have to embarrass me like that?

“Yes, this is Claire, ever
yone.  Claire Morgan is my new Administrative Assistant.  You will be receiving many emails from her on my behalf,” Walter clarified.

“Hello there, Claire,
I’m Taryn.  Taryn Simmonds.  I am the Director of the Recovery Unit.  I work closely with the surgeons.” She extended her hand and we shook hands.  She was being so nice, but there was something about her that I could not put my finger on that I did not like.  Her personality seemed a bit artificial.

“Hi Taryn, nice to meet you,” I said as nicely as I could without revealing my dislike.

Alex made his way over to me, “Miss Morgan, how nice to meet you. I’m Dr. Alex Blake.  Hope to see more of you soon,” he said as he shook my hand.

I
just grinned at him and said, “Hello Dr. Blake.  It’s very nice to meet you,” I replied.

“
I guess I will see you around,” he said through a sexy smile as he turned around and left the conference room.  I tried to read Taryn’s face.  She did not look happy at all with what had just occurred.  I wondered if she had a crush on Alex.  Well, who wouldn’t?  He was so handsome that she would have to be visually impaired not to see it.

I cleaned up the conference room with Laura’s help, put the leftover food in the kitchen for everyone to eat, and finally made it to my desk
, so I could start documenting the notes I took from the meeting.  I was interrupted by another text from Alex.

I will be in the OR the rest of the day.  Just wanted to say you looked amazingly hot in that meeting.

Thank you, Alex.  You looked hot yourself.  I’m sure Taryn Simmonds thought so as well.  Good luck in the OR.

I already told you, she’s too blond, too orange, and too blue for me.  Got it? Good.  Miss you already. I will call you tonight.

I laughed to myself.  I really loved the way Alex described Taryn.  It made me feel more secure and I was able to continue my work without my mind on her.  A few hours later, Laura asked if I was craving falafel.  I was starving, so I took her offer and we went to lunch together.  I wanted to bring up Taryn Simmonds just to see what Laura had to say about her.

“
Oh, God, Taryn Simmonds,” Laura began, “I knew you would find her a bit slutty.  She’s all over the surgeons.  Was she sitting totally close to anyone in today’s meeting?” she asked.

“
Yes!” I answered, “She was sitting almost glued to Dr. Blake as if she wanted to undress him, or wanted him to undress her.”

“
That’s Taryn, all right.  Watch out for her, Claire.  She has evil tendencies.  I’m only sharing this with you because I really like you and I think you’re a bit naïve.  Taryn Simmonds is a dirty player and she always gets what she wants, even if she has to sleep her way there,” Laura advised.

I was shocked.  Would she try to sleep with Alex if she needed something from him?  I suddenly lost my appetite and pretended to enjoy
the remainder of my lunch. I had nothing to fear because Alex had made it very clear to me that he did not find women like her attractive.  Lunch was soon over and we had to head back.  The rest of the day was a breeze and I thanked God when five o’clock came around.

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That night, I soaked in a hot bath with scented candles lit all around me.  I was mentally drained from the day and very glad it was over.  Alex called while I was in the tub, “Hey gorgeous, I’m just leaving work now.  What a day it was in the OR. I’m really exhausted.  What are you up to?” he asked.

“
I’m just taking a bubble bath because I’m completely exhausted as well,” I replied. He was silent for a moment.

“
You mean you’re in the bathtub, naked, and covered in bubbles? Claire, don’t tease me, please.  I’m just not that strong,” he said.

“
Did I leave out the candles I’m surrounded by?” I asked.

“
Okay, that’s it.  I’m driving straight to your place,” he replied.

“
No, Alex, don’t get excited.  Maybe if you continue your good behavior, I may extend an invitation to join me in a bath one day, from start to finish,” I said.

He sigh
ed, “Best behavior, I promise.  I do miss you.  I can’t wait until Friday, Claire.  I’m counting the seconds,” he confessed.

The bath was so relaxing that I couldn’t stay awake another minute.  I slipped into my pajamas and crawled into bed.  I was asleep before I knew it.

Thursday was another busy day.  Walter had asked me to book even more meetings, but this time in the afternoon, so I had more time to play.  Alex wanted to meet for lunch, since he only had one minor surgery to perform at the clinic across the street the remainder of the day.  I had to decline, since I was so busy with Walter’s meetings.

On the way home that evening, I decided to stop by at the mall to see if I could find a new outfi
t to wear the following night to Alex’s place.  I found just the perfect maxi dress.  It was an all black halter top with very mild ruffles on the top half.  It had such a classy look, yet casual.  It was not too much and not too little.

I took the dress home, tried it on again and ironed it so that I could just rush home on Friday,
slip into it and rush to his house.  I called Katherine to tell her about my new outfit and how excited I was.

She sounded more excited
than I, as usual.  “I can’t wait to talk about it on Saturday. I want to know what he cooks, what you drink, what you have for dessert,” Katherine went on and on about the endless details she must hear about.