Truths Unveiled - By Kimberly Alan Page 0,13

escaped her.

“Who cares what she thought back then?” Eddie bellowed. He appeared out of nowhere and filled their water glasses. “Or what you thought, Tommy Boy. What matters is now. You’re both here, together. Finally. So don’t blow it.” Then he added, “Of course, that’s presuming Pam isn’t married. Or hooked up with anybody serious.” He looked at her. “Are you?”

Tom released an exaggerated cough. “Let’s not beat around the bush now, Eddie. Feel free to say whatever’s on your mind.”

“Just helping out, Buddy.” Eddie clamped a large, powerful hand on Tom’s shoulder. “It took you two more than a decade to get this far. I’m just trying to move things long.”

Dismayed, Pam looked to Tom, then Eddie, then back to Tom. Romance was absolutely the last thing on her mind when she’d reluctantly decided to make this trip. Is that what they were hinting at?

“Well are you?” Eddie repeated.

“What?”

“Married?” both men answered in unison.

“Or dating,” Tom added.

“She’s not wearing a ring.” Eddie offered.

Tom shook his head. “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

“No,” Pam confirmed, laughing. “I’m not married, but I’d like to get a dog. Living in the city and working so much at the hospital, it didn’t seem fair to keep one locked up all the time. Here? Who knows?”

As the words flew from her mouth, she realized how ridiculous she sounded. Sure, it was true. She loved animals. But she didn’t intend to move to Middleton just to have one!

Suddenly, Pam found herself needing to do something with her hands. Gathering up the plates, she said, “Point me to the kitchen.”

Instantly, Tom sprang to his feet and tried to take them from her. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know. And believe me. I’m one of the least domesticated people you’ll ever meet. But this is your place. Right? And we’re…” She searched for the right word. “Friends. Right?”

Relenting, he smiled and picked up the remaining dishes. “Right.”

“Has Tom told you about tomorrow?” Eddie asked Pam, leading her into the kitchen.

Tom shook his head. “Haven’t had a chance yet.”

“He’s invited me and my wife over to his place for dinner in your honor. Rebecca makes great desserts. She’s looking forward to meeting you.”

“I could pick you up at around six,” Tom told her. “After you finish at the hospital.”

Pam felt the weight of his cool, blue eyes, watching her intently. For a second, she experienced a wave of déjà vu. He wore that same expression that night when he asked her father’s permission to take her out.

She nodded to him, then Eddie. “It sounds like fun. I’ll look forward to it.” Saying the words, she realized she meant it. What’s happening here? she wondered. Why does it feel so comfortable? And why is Tom here? With me? Sure, she still found him attractive. More than attractive. But everything was so different now. Why go on with the charade that she might actually take this job?

“Good. Then it’s all settled.”

“Am I invited too?”

Instantly, Pam’s subconscious placed a face to the female voice behind her. A shrill alarm echoed in her head. On impulse she turned and noticed Tom’s blue eyes harden and glint dangerously at his former wife.

Truths Unveiled

Truths Unveiled

Chapter Nine

Tom matched the woman’s goading smile with an even sneer but said nothing.

“Well look who it is,” Eddie’s voice boomed. “I never expected to see you in here, Susan. Did hell freeze over already?”

For an instant, Pam caught a chink in Susan’s otherwise perfect composure. The stunning redhead recovered quickly with a humorless chuckle and smug smile. Immaculately groomed down to her bright pink toenails, exposed in heeled sandals, and dressed in a yellow silk pantsuit, she definitely commanded an audience.

Pam remembered the dirt and soot still in her hair from the explosion. Was there a closet nearby? She wanted to hide.

Then Pam stopped herself. Most likely, this would be the last time she would ever be in Susan’s company again. Thank goodness. The woman reminded her of a nasty villain on a soap opera. From the way her eyes shot daggers at Tom, it was clear those two still had a lot of unresolved issues.

Pam watched Susan’s smile transform itself into a perfect pout. “You always make me feel so unwanted, Cousin. I just don’t understand it.”

Yuck, Pam winced. That little girl voice made her want to barf. She’d forgotten Eddie and Susan were related. Cousins by marriage, she believed.

“Cut to the chase, Susan. What do you want?”

Tom’s low, menacing voice caught Susan off guard. She blinked