Case of Desire

“Are you okay?” Camille inquired, noting that her friend looked upset about something.

“I still can’t believe that Terrence and his family are suing the hospital,” Jaclyn said as she sat down in one of the visitor chairs. “How can he claim he was wrongfully terminated?”

“I know how you feel,” Camille responded. “I can’t believe it either, Jaclyn.”

“I just wish we could find a way to lay this lawsuit to rest. I overheard a couple of patients discussing it.”

Camille shook her head. “I’ve been doing everything I can to keep the hospital out of the news, but Terrence and his parents calling that press conference didn’t help matters at all.”

“I feel terrible that it’s come to this,” Jaclyn murmured.

“It’s not your fault,” Camille stated. “Terrence did this. And his claim that his termination was extreme is certainly not true.”

“His family is one of the richest families in all of Virginia.”

“And the hospital’s most generous benefactor,” Camille interjected. “The fact remains that there was sufficient grounds to terminate Terrence, and with Maxwell Wade representing the hospital, I’m sure he’ll sort out the whole mess.”

Camille got up to walk Jaclyn out of her office.

“So what do you think of Maxwell Wade?” Jaclyn inquired.

Camille met her friend’s gaze. “I think he’s arrogant, but maybe this is why he’s so good at his job.”

“He’s nice-looking, don’t you think?”

“Jaclyn, why are you asking me about him? The one you should be talking to is your former roommate. She’s already put her claim on him.”

“He’s not Isabelle’s type,” Jaclyn responded.

“I’m pretty sure she’d disagree with you,” Camille stated. “Anyway, your focus should be on Dr. Lucien De Winter.”

Jaclyn smiled. “He has all of my attention, I assure you.”

Camille was happy that her friend had found a wonderful man who loved her as much as she loved him. As for herself, she enjoyed her life as a single woman, but she was willing to settle down if and when the right man came along.

Chapter 2

Dr. Thomas Bradshaw and his new wife, Lia, mingled with their guests during the reception held in their honor. The couple had eloped, surprising everyone, including Camille. Lia radiated happiness as her husband embraced her lovingly.

Camille moved around the room, pausing to chat with friends and coworkers.

She walked over to where Lucien and his fiancée Jaclyn stood. “How come you two aren’t out there dancing?”

“Every time we head out there, Lucien gets sidetracked by one of the board members,” Jaclyn stated.

Lucien embraced her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. When the next song plays, I’m all yours.”

“What about you, Camille?” Jaclyn asked. “Why aren’t you out there dancing?”

“My imaginary date is shy,” she responded with a laugh.

They were soon joined by Tamara St. John and her fiancé, Victor Aguilar; both were interns at Hopewell General. Camille talked with them for a moment before moving on.

She caught sight of Maxwell standing with Ray a few feet away. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him in the black suit that looked as if it had been designed just for him. It was obvious why he had so many women fawning over him. Camille couldn’t deny that Maxwell was a very handsome man.

Her eyes traveled across the room to where Isabelle stood with a couple of her friends. Camille noted that she had been watching Maxwell along with half of the other women at the reception.

“Camille, why are you over here in this corner?” Jerome asked, approaching her. “Wallflower definitely does not look good on you.”

His words cut into her thoughts of Maxwell.

She laughed. “Jerome, I’m not trying to be a wallflower.”

He set his drink on a nearby table and grabbed her by the hand. “C’mon, let’s dance then.”

“What about your date?” Camille inquired. “You know that I don’t do drama.”

“She’ll be all right. I told Julie that you were like a little sister to me. Besides, she’s not the jealous type.”

Camille loved to dance, so as soon as she heard the music, her body began to sway.

She and Jerome danced to two songs before his date joined them. Camille stayed on the floor for one more song, and then said, “Okay, I need to get something to drink.”

“You’re leaving?” Jerome asked. “I was about to drop it like it’s hot.”

She laughed. “I’ll leave that to you and Julie.”

Camille made her way over to the bar.

Someone walked up behind her.

“Hello, Camille.”

She turned around. “Maxwell, it’s nice to see you,” she managed casually. Camille could hear her heart pounding loudly over the music. His nearness had an arousing effect on her. “I hope you’re having a good time.”

“I am,” he responded in a deep baritone voice.

A new and unexpected warmth surged through her as he looked at her. The richness of his tone made Camille weak at the knees. She supported her weight by placing a hand on the edge of the bar.

She could feel Maxwell’s eyes still observing her. His gaze was intense and penetrating, almost as if he could see right through her. Camille chewed nervously on her bottom lip.

Jerome walked by and uttered, “Stop biting your lip.”

Embarrassed, Camille gave him a playful jab in the ribs. She prayed that Maxwell hadn’t heard him.

Her prayer went unanswered when Maxwell smiled at her, and then asked, “Do I make you nervous, Camille?”

“No,” she responded quickly. “Why would you think that?”