Chapter 11
Two days later Tony sat at his desk at the club contemplating the phone and wondering if it were too soon to call Madeleine. He smiled remembering the kiss they'd shared and a warm feeling unfurled from his belly. That kiss had been more than hot, he admitted to himself. And Madeleine he also had to admit was an amazing, exciting woman. Just the sort of woman he needed in his life. The sort who would hopefully make him forget about Samantha Brady. The thought dampened his spirits a bit and he opened a drawer and took out the photo of the two of them together that had been taken at the opening of the club. His heart clenched as it always did at the sight of what a good looking couple they would make. Abruptly he threw the photo back into the drawer and slammed it shut!
"Damn it!" He said out loud! He had to stop this. Samantha was taken and there was a willing and incredible woman out there who he could and should be with! He made up his mind and picked up the receiver to dial Leine's number. Her smooth voice answered the phone and he forced himself to sound cheerful! "Hello there!" he said, not bothering to identify himself, knowing that she'd know who it was. "Hello yourself!" Leine said. "I was just thinking about you!" "Really?" Tony asked. "Yes. It would seem that I'm going to be in Salem this weekend and I was hoping we could get together. That is, if you're not already busy." Tony smiled and said. "If I was, I'd cancel any plan for you." Leine laughed on the other end of the phone. "You are just so smooth. But I like it!"
"Where are you going to be staying?" Tony asked suddenly anxious to see her again. "I'll be at the Excelsior. Shall we say, Friday at eight o'clock?" "Sounds perfect." Tony said. I can hardly wait to see you!" "Well you can prove that Friday night." Leine said huskily. "Au revoir, chérie." She said and hung up the phone. Tony chuckled as he replaced the receiver. He looked at the drawer again, determined not to feel guilty. After all, Samantha wasn't his and he certainly wasn't betraying her by dating her best friend! "No." he said to himself. "I am doing the right thing. It's time to move on!"
"Move on from what?" Sami asked, standing in the doorway.