All her new rules, all her new boundaries. They all make perfect sense now. How terrifying that must have been for her to know we got caught. I mean, what happened that night wasn’t necessarily inappropriate, but I’m sure whoever saw her the next morning thought it sure as hell looked that way.
And here I am, showing up like a fucking caveman to pick her up from a date because I can’t handle the thought of her being with someone else.
“That’s my fault,” I tell her. “I’m so sorry.”
“I chose to be there too.”
The elevator jolts, restarting, and like an instinct, I reach out to steady her.
And even that feels like it’s crossing a line now, let alone what just happened between us.
Her blue eyes look up at me with this begging, pleading expression. “Emmett, we have to stay away from each other.”
I hate the words though I know she’s right.
It’s too dangerous for her. There are too many eyes on her. There are too many naysayers thinking she can’t do her job.
If anyone found out she was making out with her employee in an elevator...
“I know,” I agree, hating the way the words taste coming off my tongue. “I know. You’re right. We do.”
She offers me a thankful yet pitying smile.
“But not like this last week. Please don’t avoid me again like you did last week.”
The elevator stops on the top floor, opening right into Reese’s condo, but I can’t bring myself to pay attention to her place. I’m too busy watching this woman, trying to read her.
“Promise me, Reese.”
“I won’t, but we have to keep things professional. This—” She circles the area around us. “This can’t happen again.”
“Yeah,” I breathe out. “I know.” The agreement sounds fucking depressing as it slips off my lips.
And I’m not just saying that to agree with her in this moment. I fully understand nothing can happen between us again. It’s too risky now that even one rumor is circulating out there about her.
What the hell was I thinking? I’m putting her career and reputation at risk. Something I promised her I’d protect.
Reese steps off the elevator and into her condo, turning back to look at me. “Thank you for walking me home.”
I nod, trying to find a smile for her. “Thanks for letting me steal you away from your date.”
She huffs a laugh, offering me a small smile in return, but it’s a sad one.
Then we watch each other as the elevator doors close, knowing it’s the last time we’ll get to look at each other in this way.
19
Reese
“Is there anything else that you or your department needs?” I ask Kennedy.
Sitting in the chair on the other side of my desk, she scans the notebook in her hand, bulleted with all the points we discussed over the last hour of this meeting. “Not that I can think of at the moment.”
“Your staff is being respectful of your position? Has everything been okay with the transition?”
“They are and yes, it’s been smooth. I think taking over as lead doctor in the final few months of last season helped with taking over the role officially this year.”
“And the players. Are they being good to you and your team?”
