Forget Me Not (Escape Contemporary Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

we’re very close. It was Mum and Soph who called while I was in the kitchen. They’ve been worried.’
    Claire had tried to tell her mother there was no need to come over and check on her, but her mum hadn’t seemed convinced. She’d probably come by regardless.
    Sophie was a different matter. Eight months pregnant and on the other side of Australia, Claire’s sister wasn’t in a position to drop by. She’d probably just phone every day, instead.
    ‘What about your father?’ Stefan asked. ‘You haven’t mentioned him.’
    ‘He died when I was a kid.’
    That was the short version. Stefan had never felt close to his family, so he hadn’t been able understand that her father’s death had brought Mum, Sophie and her closer together.
    ‘And my parents?’ he asked. ‘Aren’t they worried about me?’
    They couldn’t give a toss about you . Claire barely stopped herself from saying it out loud. Stefan’s parents had been thrilled when he’d finally gone off to college and out of their hands. They hadn’t even complained when he’d come to Sydney and liked it so much he’d stayed. Not that they’d understood his decision—it involved extra study and exams to allow him to practise as a lawyer in another state—but they hadn’t objected.
    Sure, his parents had given him money, as there’d been no shortage of that, and when Stefan had arranged it, they’d meet up with him in exotic locations. That had been the extent of their relationship with their son.
    ‘New York is a long way away,’ Claire said. ‘I spoke to them over the phone last night. They know about your amnesia and said they’d be here in a week or so.’
    Stefan’s mother had become teary and emotional, but then his father had grabbed the phone from her and questioned Claire closely about Stefan’s condition. He’d been relieved to find his son was in good health and no immediate danger. And that had been all.
    ‘Do you think I should call them?’ Stefan asked.
    ‘You can try. I got them on their cell phone but they were at Long Island, and said they’d be very busy over the next few days.’
    ‘Busy?’
    Claire could see his mind ticking over. Memory or no memory, Stefan was clever enough to put the pieces together, but she still didn’t like seeing him hurt. Before his accident, Stefan had got used to his parents’ attitude, eventually giving up on them after years of personal struggle. She didn’t fancy him going through that again. ]
    Claire shrugged. ‘That’s what they said. You can talk to them yourself when they get here.’
    After dinner, they drank coffee in the living room. Conversation flowed easily between then, with Stefan asking many questions about his old life and listening intently to her answers. Even though Stefan didn’t remember her, they had lots to talk about, or perhaps it was because he didn’t remember her.
    It was like they’d just met—a clean slate, a fresh start. He was meeting her for the first time, discovering new things about her, growing fond of her all over again.
    Until, one day, he’d remember and then it would all be over again. No, she wouldn’t let that happen. Claire would do what she had to do to help Stefan get back on his feet but she wouldn’t let herself lose her heart to him again.
    Claire looked at the empty coffee cups on the small table, deciding she’d worry about them later. Or perhaps Stefan could put them away. He wasn’t infirm.
    She stood. ‘I’m going to call it a night.’
    Stefan looked at her, surprised. ‘It’s still early.’
    ‘I’ve got a book to finish reading.’
    Her work for the day was done—get Stefan from the hospital; bring him home; tell him about his past. Tomorrow’s task was to show him around the city, reintroduce him to his colleagues and stop by his old apartment. Anything beyond that was too much.
    No, she wasn’t going to fall into the trap.
    Not a second time.

Chapter Five
    Claire watched Stefan unlock the door to his