Damian wanted to ask Micki about the significance of such obviously childlike party symbols, but Yank was pontificating from on high. Loudly.
'…And since it's my birthday-and I thank you all very much for coming-I thought I got to decide who I wanted here. And I can tell you right now, I don't want to party with the lovebirds.' Yank pointed first to Lola, then to Spencer Atkins, who were on separate sides of the room, whether out of deference to Yank's feelings or pure irony.
Yank's always wiry hair stood on end and his face flushed red with pure jealousy. Damian leveled a sidelong glance at Micki. He couldn't be responsible for his actions either if she walked into a party with another man-a notion that rattled the hell out of him.
Suddenly Yank, who was still ranting from his perch in the center of the room, lost his balance. Without warning, he wobbled, pitched to one side and fell before anyone could help him.
'Uncle Yank.'' All three of his nieces ran to the older man's side, but Lola got there first 'You frustrating, crotchety, old coot!' she yelled, bending down at his side. 'Where does it hurt?' She spread her hands all over him, her concern and love so real even Damian could feel it.
'My leg,' he muttered and rubbed a place high on his hip.
Damian winced. 'Somebody call for an ambulance,' he yelled to the waiters nearby.
Yank was still yelling at Lola to get the hell away and let him be humiliated in peace.
Uncomfortable making them a spectacle, Damian stepped back.
Micki slipped her hand into his. 'There's not much we can do. The hostess already called 911,' she said.
'I ain't going in an ambulance,' Yank blustered.
Noodle
Spencer Atkins stormed over to his best friend. The two men couldn't be more different in looks, Yank in his button-down Hawaiian shirt and Atkins in his double-breasted suit. 'Shut the hell up, will you? Your mouth is what got you into trouble in the first place.'
Yank scowled at his friend. 'You stole my woman-'
“I was never yours to begin with. You didn't want me,' Lola said, tears streaming down her cheeks and causing her makeup to run.
If she cared about that or her hair, which had fallen from its bun, or the fact that her blouse had pulled loose from the back of her skirt, she didn't show it. All her concern was lavished on the man lying on the floor.
'I wonder if he'll come around now,' Micki whispered. 'I mean it feels like his last chance. If he pushes Lola away this time, it's probably for good.'
The overwhelming emotion of her family situation struck Damian hard. 'Hopefully this'll smarten him up. It can happen to even the dumbest jock,' he said, hoping to lighten the mood.
She laughed and hiccupped at the same time.
'Coming through.' The paramedics came in and the next few minutes passed in a blur as they carefully loaded the older man onto the stretcher.
'Come on. I'll drive you and Sophie to the hospital.' Damian tugged on her hand.
Annabelle and Vaughn were already halfway out the door. Micki relayed the offer to Sophie, who held a squirming Noodle in her arms, and they all headed for the exit.
At the door, Micki turned back to the dwindling crowd. 'Happy birthday, Uncle Yank,' she said to the almost empty room.
They reached the street as Yank was being placed in the ambulance. 'I'll ride with you,' Lola said.
'Why don't you ride with your boyfriend?' Yank asked.
'You old fool, he isn't my boyfriend' Lola said. 'He's my friend.'
'You dress like that for your friend?'
Apparently Yank's leg wasn't as badly bruised as his ego, Damian thought.
'I dressed like this for you. Spencer wouldn't care if I ran naked through Central Park! He's gay!' Lola said, then helped the ambulance men push the stretcher inside. She shot a look of regret at Spencer. 'And for forcing me to reveal that secret, you can damn well ride alone. Spencer will take me to the hospital!'
The other woman stormed off, head held high.
Damian turned to Micki. 'Is my mouth hanging open?' he asked.
'No more than mine is, I'm sure.'
'Spencer Atkins is gay?' Damian ran a hand through his hair and laughed,
'What's so funny?'
He shook his head. 'Your uncle just lost his last excuse. He's going to have to step up or step out of her life for good.'
“Umm,' She said in a low voice. 'There's something you should know but you can't repeat it until it's official'
Damian raised an eyebrow. 'You've got me curious.'
'Well, the Hot Zone is going to be merging with Atkins Associates. It's mostly because of Uncle Yank's eyesight. It'll benefit him to have someone he trusts handling his clients.'
'He trusts Atkins?'
Micki nodded. 'Like a brother. Like you said about Lola, a strange relationship. Anyway, he agrees the merger's necessary but he's not taking it well. That probably explains his ranting back there. It's hard for him to give up his independence.'
'Wow.'
'Well, now you've been entrusted with privileged information. Repeat it and I may have to shoot you.' She grinned and his heart twisted inside his chest.
His seven-day road trip was looking damn good about now.
CHAPTER TWELVE
TWO DAYS AFTER HER UNCLE'S ACCIDENT, Micki was still annoyed with fate. Just when she'd decided to make use of the makeover changes she'd done inside and out and enjoy one more night with Damian, fate had held her to her original promise to keep her hands off.
Uncle Yank had broken his hip and needed immediate surgery to repair the damage done in the fall. Between recuperation and physical therapy, he was looking at a long haul. She spent the night of her uncle's party at the hospital. Since they'd sedated him for the pain, he hadn't been able to have a coherent conversation with Lola, so that relationship was still on hold.
Meanwhile Micki and Sophie were taking rams dog-sitting Noodle the Labradoodle who refused to eat, sleep or drink alone. Uncle Yank had spoiled the pooch rotten and if they didn't keep up his bad habits, the dog cried day and night. The neighbors had left notes of complaint on both Sophie's and Micki's doors, forcing them to take Noodle to work along with them. They'd also been alternating Visiting hours at the hospital in order to take any burden off of Annabelle who'd been ordered by the doctor to take it easy on her feet and on her stress levels.
Though she wished her uncle hadn't hurt himself so badly, Micki didn't mind the added chaos in her own life. With Damian out of town, she was happy to have her mind occupied with other things. When she had time to think, she tortured herself with what might have happened had she not been stuck at the hospital their last night together.
Her body tingled at the thought of making love with Damian once more, of what his hot, hard body felt like pressed against hers as he drove into her again and again and again.
She sighed, then caught herself and realized she was moaning aloud while sitting in her office going over paperwork.
'Nice, Micki,' she muttered.
'Woof!' Noodle answered her from her perch on the chair reserved for clients. Apparently Uncle Yank gave Noodle the run of the furniture as well as his life.
'You miss him, don't you, girl?'
The dog let out a whine, laid her head down on the expensive leather and covered her eyes with her
