Buchanan: Delicious Part 46

She put her gla.s.s on the counter and turned to leave. Cal moved in front of her.

"Wait," he said. "I want to say I'm sorry about what happened on Friday. All of it. Gloria telling you about Lindsey, our fight afterwards. I should have told you myself. Years ago, before we got married. I grew up keeping secrets and it's a hard habit to break. And I was afraid of what you'd think of me."

"I appreciate the apology, but it's not necessary. We're divorced, Cal. None of that matters."

"It does. We work together. I want us to be friends."

Friends. Right. She wanted to point out that she didn't usually sleep with her friends. That by having s.e.x with her, they'd crossed the line and now everything was different between them. Except she didn't understand how it was different or what it all meant.

"I shouldn't have allowed Gloria to have information you didn't," he said. "She wanted to hurt you and she succeeded. I'm sorry about that."

Without wanting to, she remembered a conversation from their past. When she'd wanted the entry-level job at Buchanan's and Cal had done his best to keep her from getting it. At the time he'd said he didn't want her near Gloria. She'd laughed off his concern. How could the old woman hurt her? Now she knew there were probably a thousand ways.

"I can take care of myself," she said. "Then and now."

"Now I believe. But back then..."

"You're acting as if my being hurt would have bothered you."

"Of course it would have. You were my wife."

The one you didn't love. Only she didn't think she could say that without him knowing she was still bruised inside.

"Look, Cal. We didn't do well on the personal front when we were married and we obviously can't do it well now. Let's just keep things strictly business. It will be better for everyone that way."

"But I want us to be friends."

"Sometimes we don't get what we want. Deal with it."

PENNY PACED in the parking lot. Where was he? Reid was many things, but late wasn't one of them. She glanced at her watch and groaned. If she didn't want to miss her appointment, she was going to have to leave in the next two minutes.

Cal walked out of the restaurant. She eyed him suspiciously, especially as he had a coat on and was heading in her direction.

"Let's go," he said. "You want me to drive?"

She planted her hands on her hips. "What, exactly, are you talking about?"

"Your doctor's appointment. You're getting an ultrasound. I'm going with you."

She glanced at him. As she hadn't told him about the appointment, he must have been talking to Reid. Was this a conspiracy?

"Is Reid even going to show up?" she asked.

"I don't know. He's not here now, you need to leave and I want to come with you."

"I'd rather go alone."

His dark gaze searched her face. "Are you sure?"

No, dammit, she wasn't sure. But she didn't want to admit that to him.

Just then Reid drove into the parking lot. He pulled up in front of her. "Sorry I'm late. There was an accident on the bridge."

"It's okay. Park that thing and let's go."

Reid glanced between Penny and Cal. Cal moved closer to her.

"I'm going," he said.

"No, he's not. Reid, don't you dare."

Reid shrugged. "It's better this way, Penny. You two need to talk. Besides, he's seen you naked and I haven't. It will be easier."

"No, it won't," she yelled, but it was too late. He'd already driven off. She turned to Cal. "Did you tell him we slept together?"

"Of course not. He was talking about when we were married." He put his hand at the small of her back and urged her toward her Volvo. "Come on. We'll be late. Do you want me to drive?"

She was so upset, she handed him the keys without thinking. It was only after she'd climbed into the pa.s.senger side that she realized she'd abdicated authority to Cal. Jeez.

She couldn't believe Reid had turned on her that way. "We're supposed to be friends," she muttered, feeling hurt and abandoned. "I'm going to have to explain that to him later."

"He understands," Cal said as he backed out of the parking s.p.a.ce. "He's trying to help."

"Which one of us?" Penny muttered.

"Where are we going?"

She gave him the address, then settled back in her seat. "This is dumb. I would have been fine on my own."

"You still can be. If you don't want me in the room with you, I'll wait outside."

She swallowed. "Maybe that would be better," she said, although she wasn't sure she meant it. While she knew the ultrasound was a perfectly normal procedure, she couldn't help being terrified by the thought of it. That's why she'd asked Reid to come along. So she wouldn't have to face it alone.

"What's wrong?" Cal asked after about ten minutes of silence.

She stared straight ahead. "Nothing."

"Do you have to go to the bathroom? Should I stop somewhere?"

"What?" She sounded deeply insulted. "No."

"You're fidgeting. I wondered why."

She s.h.i.+fted in her seat and didn't answer. Cal considered the possibilities-everything from her hating him so much she couldn't stand to be in the car with him to-

"You're nervous," he said. "Why? Is there something you haven't told Reid? Is there a problem with the baby?"