Love at Large by Sue Ann Jaffarian

Author:Sue Ann Jaffarian [Jaffarian, Sue Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781933157009
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Draumr Publishing
Published: 2004-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

DAVE BAXTER WAS digging through the stacks of files on his desk when Clark poked his head into his office. “Hey, Dave, hope you don’t mind my popping in on you like this.”

Dave beamed at his brother, happy to see him. “Not at all, come on in. What’s up?”

“It’s about Gwen and Cynthia.”

It had been almost three weeks since the theatre evening and Dave had moved into his own apartment in Brentwood shortly after. He’d been so busy with his move and his law practice, he hadn’t talked to his brother about much of anything since that night.

“Gwen and Cynthia? Don’t tell me you’re still putting up with that double dating crap? What are you, in high school?”

Clark Baxter plunked down wearily in a chair across from his brother’s messy desk. “It’s not what you think, Dave. Not at all.”

“What I think is that you need to lose that pathetic best friend and have a real relationship with Gwen. If you don’t, you’re going to be walking down the aisle handcuffed to the both of them.” Dave shivered. “There’s an ugly thought.”

“Dave,” Clark began, leaning forward in his chair, “Gwen doesn’t have Cynthia tag along because she feels sorry for her. Quite the contrary. Cynthia comes along because Gwen is petrified of men and hasn’t been alone with one for years.”

“What?”

“It’s true. Gwen’s ex-husband beat her their entire marriage. Before that, it was her father who abused her. She would only go out with groups of friends until now and now she’ll only go out on dates if Cynthia is with her. Cynthia met Gwen when she was doing volunteer work at a battered women’s shelter. Cynthia hired her, trained her, and gave her a new start in life.”

Dave put down his paperwork and gave his brother his full attention. “I had no idea.”

“Neither did I until after that night at the theatre. Gwen told me everything over the phone the following day. Since then we’ve been out several times, but always with Cynthia. Sometimes Cynthia brings along a date, sometimes she’s solo. I know it makes her uncomfortable either way, but she’s a good sport about it. She truly wants Gwen to start trusting men again.” Clark gave his brother a small smile. “But there has been some progress. I did manage to entice Gwen out for lunch today on her own.”

“And how did that go?”

Clark ran a hand through his hair. “That’s the thing; I don’t know how it went. Gwen was still reluctant to talk about herself or about much of anything. On the phone she’s a different person, very chatty in fact. I really missed Cynthia’s stimulating conversation at lunch today.” He gave a sad chuckle. “I don’t know which woman I’m dating … Cynthia or Gwen.”

For the first time in a long time, the glib lawyer didn’t know what to say. The two brothers sat in silence for awhile, each thinking different thoughts. Clark pondered his confusion about which woman he was falling for, and Dave berated himself for misjudging Cynthia and treating her like crap.

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