They were all silent for a long moment. Way to bring down the mood, Tara.
“Everything okay out here ladies? Can I get anyone anything?” They all glanced over as Sam walked up, a smile on his face. He leaned down and kissed Ava on the cheek. Straightening, he rubbed her shoulders as he looked around at everyone. “What’s wrong?”
“Alex told me that I can’t go back to the club without a medical certificate,” Tara blurted out the first thing she could think of. “Can he really do that?”
Sam frowned. “I’m with Alex on this, Tara,” he told her. “You fainted last night. You could have been seriously hurt. Go to the doctor, get checked out and you can come back. A bit more sleep wouldn’t hurt you, either. I know Roarke is going to back Alex up.”
She knew he would too. Besides, she had no intention of going to Roarke over Alex’s head.
She guessed she’d just have to suck it up and go see a doctor. Her job came with medical benefits so at least she didn’t have to worry about the cost.
“I’ll try and make an appointment for early next week,” she said. “I’m not on the schedule at the club until Thursday.”
“I’ll leave you ladies alone. Don’t tire Ava out,” Sam warned, kissing Ava on the cheek once more before walking away.
Ava stared after him. “That man has one fine ass.”
Sam wiggled his ass and everyone burst into laughter. The rest of the afternoon flew by and it wasn’t long until Tara found herself back in her dismal apartment with the peeling wallpaper and dated fixtures.
Lying back on the sofa with a sigh, she picked up one of her favorite books and let herself drift away from reality for a while.
***
“Tara?”
Tara looked around the busy cafe and saw Reagan walking towards her with a smile.
“Reagan, hi. What are you doing here?”
“I had a meeting with a client and thought I’d stop for a coffee after. Are you eating in?”
“No. I’m just getting lunch for my boss.”
“Oh.”
Did Reagan look disappointed?
“Well, maybe I can buy you a coffee another time?” Reagan asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.
Screw it.
“Let’s have one now. I’ll just tell my boss I’m late because there was a long line.”
Tara quickly paid for the food with a company credit card and sat down at a table while Reagan got them both coffee.
“I haven’t seen you at the club lately,” Reagan said as she sat down.
“No, I’ve been busy.”
It had been over a week since she’d fainted at the club,
but Tim had been so demanding lately that she hadn’t had time to see a doctor and get a medical certificate.
“You’ve got a funny look on your face. Do you have indigestion? I have some antacids in my purse.”
“Uhh, no, that’s okay. It’s not indigestion.”
“I find it hard to read people,” Reagan told her suddenly. “I’m very intelligent, but when it comes to relating to others, I struggle. I often misread signals. Sorry if I just said the wrong thing.”