Page 33 of My Heart's Doctor
“I don’t know why you say that,” she noted, with a gesture of discomfort.
“It’s just that you’re a doctor and this is a gathering of businesspeople,” I clarified, though I wasn’t sure that was a good explanation. It seemed that this woman made me behave like an inexperienced idiot.
“I came accompanying a friend,” she informed me, and that reminded me of the guy who was with her, and I don’t know if I managed to hide my displeasure.
“A friend?”
“How is Aurora?” she asked, ignoring my question, which made me realize she wasn’t willing to provide me with information, and it was understandable because who was I to ask for explanations about her life?
“She’s fine. Today she was asking about you all day and I had to read her the princess story several times, and we couldn’t get her to take off the princess dress that you suggested I buy her, so I had to go out and buy a couple more so we could put it in the washing machine,” I commented, and I wasn’t lying about that.
Her expression changed quickly and she gave me a beautiful smile, which made me look at her lips and I couldn’t take my eyes away from there.
“I’d better go because my friend is waiting for me,” she said, and I realized that she was also affected by my presence.
“Your friend...” I said, wanting to encourage her to say something more, but she didn’t continue my comment.
“Send Aurora a kiss from me.”
“Why don’t you visit her again and give it to her personally? She keeps mentioning you, you made a big impact on my daughter and, believe me, few people have done that,” I stated, not knowing if I was doing it for my daughter or for myself.
“I have a complicated schedule, but perhaps I’ll call and talk to her,” she said, and I could see her growing more nervous by the minute.
A male voice interrupted our conversation. I looked up and saw it was the guy who was with her, approaching to give her a drink. I looked at him seriously because it was impossible to hide my displeasure.
“Devon, I have your Cosmopolitan.”
“Thank you, Orson. This is William Cavaller, the father of one of my patients. This is Orson Araoz.”
The father of a patient? That wasn’t entirely true.
This Orson extended his hand to greet me and I did the same, but I maintained my serious expression. I didn’t like beingfriendly with someone who hadn’t earned my friendliness, and it was clear that this guy was far from earning it.
“Mr. Cavaller, I’m glad to see you well. Enjoy your evening,” she said, looking at me with that expression that made me think my presence really unsettled her.
“Good evening, Dr. Dulcet, Mr. Araoz.”
“Good evening,” Orson replied.
It bothered me enormously to see her take his arm and walk away from me, though I still didn’t understand the reasons for my irritation.
A few minutes later I spotted them again on the dance floor, enjoying themselves. They looked like a couple who got along very well and were in love because they looked at each other with... actually, they looked at each other with affection, perhaps even love, but there was no desire in that look, of that I was certain. How could he have her by his side and not desire her? I was surely mistaken because that was impossible. I don’t think there was a single man at the party who didn’t desire her; her presence hadn’t gone unnoticed by anyone. Without a doubt, the men’s gazes were of admiration and desire.
Without realizing it, I gradually moved closer and ended up at the edge of the dance floor talking with an acquaintance, though in reality I did it to observe them up close. I found it impossible to take my eyes off her. What the hell was happening to me with Devon Dulcet?! Was it the splendor of her beauty that had me dazzled? I wanted to assume it was that. It had to be that!
On several occasions our gazes met, but she quickly looked away.
A while later I saw them return to their table and, as I was about to do the same, Juliana Miroto approached me, a businesswoman I always ran into at these gatherings, but with whom I had never done business of any kind. Although shealways tried to seduce me to get me into her bed, I didn’t get involved with married women, and she was married. So, we talked for a few minutes and then I returned to my table. I no longer wanted to be at this gathering; I felt bitter and frustrated. I couldn’t remember feeling this way before, and that put me in an even worse mood because it wasn’t easy for me to handle. I needed to forget about Devon Dulcet; there was no other option.
At that moment they were serving the main course, and I tried to enjoy the dinner and converse with the acquaintances at my table. By the time we got to dessert, many couples preferred dancing. A band was playing and performing romantic songs that enhanced the evening and were like the perfect finishing touch for this event that had been a success. Among the couples on the dance floor, I could distinguish Devon with her companion. Seeing them dance in an embrace made me feel as if everything I had eaten had turned into a stone in my stomach. I envied that guy. I envied him like no one else.
When the band began to perform the song “If You’re Not The One” by Daniel Bedingfield, I felt the need to dance it with her. I don’t know if it was what the song said or conveyed, or the desire to have her in my arms, or wanting to pull her away from this Orson’s arms, or all those things together, but I stood up and walked toward them with determination.
“May I dance this song with Dr. Dulcet? If she agrees, of course,” I requested, looking at him.
When Devon turned and looked into my eyes, I again felt my breath catch and my heart skip a beat. What was that? I couldn’t stand feeling this way anymore.
She was the first to look away to glance at him and nod.
