We chat a bit as I floss Loretta’s teeth, me pausing to let her respond before I move back in and ask about things like her husband’s knee replacement, her grandkids’ latest accomplishments, and the craft boutique she opened up on Main. It’s nice to catch up on things from home, even if I am living just outside of the city for now.
At last, I give her a final rinse and apply the fluoride foam treatment—she prefers hot cinnamon. “Dr. Brynn will be in for the final exam and to look over your x-rays,” I tell her with a glance over my shoulder. The panel shows that Room 1 is already flashing for his attention. I peel off my gloves and press Room 3. “There’s just one patient ahead of you. Would you like me to sit you upright while you wait?”
"Sure,” Loretta says. “Thank you.”
I push the toe of my shoe against the foot pedal until she’s sitting upright.
Loretta grabs the magazine resting across her lap and thumbs aimlessly through the pages. “I hope you don’t mind my asking this,” she says with a glance over her shoulder.
My gut churns because I know exactly what she’s going to ask.
“You and Dr. Brynn seem to get along pretty well for a recently-divorced couple.” She chuckles awkwardly. “Do you think there’s a chance you two will…” She drifts off as I shake my head.
“No,” I assure her with a glance to the hallway and then the panel once more. Room 1 is no longer flashing, which means Ross is in there now. “We had an amicable divorce,” I explain, “and when we decided—as a family—to move back to Virginia Beach, Ross said I may as well work for him since he’d already bought into half the practice here.”
The truth is that Ross talked me into it against my better judgment. I don't know how I'm supposed tofeeldivorcedwhen I still work with him like I did when we were married. It's familiar, at times, the easy groove of a busy workday. But at other times, it’s awkward and forced. I used to be more agreeable.Sure, whatever you say. Sounds great. Good idea.We were a team, after all, and at the office, he was the boss—the one with his name on the door.
But lately, I find myself getting defensive and wanting to snap back or argue.
Loretta shrugs. "Yeah, well, there aren't a whole lot of dental practices around here,” she supposes. “And since Dr. Brynn teamed up with Dr. Bingham, the closest dentist to your folks’ place, you were probably stuck working for one or the other."
Thisfrom a sensible woman. A woman far too sensible to work for a man she used to be married to. But the fact is, I had plenty of options.
"Right," I say with a nod.
Loretta holds my gaze. She knows I'm holding back. She sees that I’m weak. I'm the type that gets bulldozed in relationships, and even though my romantic relationship with Ross is a thing of the past, the dynamic remains the same.
"Well, dear, thank you again for the great work.” She looks at my name tag a moment too long while a crease furrows her brow. "If you ever decide you’re ready to date again, you should check out that forty-something singles group. The Wheaton twins go, I hear, since they’re both divorced. Did you know that?"
An image of Liam Wheaton drifts like a dragonfly through the pleasant parts of my mind. Maybe it’s the sign I was waiting for. I should call him and see if he’ll keep his eyes out for a three-bedroom home or apartment; he owns a real estate agency, after all. "Ididhear that,” I admit.
"Didn't you used to date the nice one?"
The nice one.It makes me smile. Compared to bad-boy Luke Wheaton, Liam most definitely is the nice one. Or at least, hewas. I haven’t spoken to the guy in years.
"Yes," I say, resisting the urge to gush about the fact that he was my first love. And what a first love he was. I'd come to wonder if my relationship with Liam ruined me for every other guy I would date. No one has patience like Liam. No one's as attentive as Liam. And no one knows how to kiss the way he does, or at least,did.I feel a blush rise to my cheeks.
"Hey, Ashley, may I talk to you in my office before you leave?” Ross says, leaning his head through the walkway.
“Okay,” I say. “But we’ll need to make it quick. Martin has that session with his chess coach.”
I glance down at my name tag on the way out of the room.Ashley Chen. Maybe that’s what she was noticing, the fact that I’ve already gone back to my maiden name.
I hurry to the breakroom and contemplate a to-go cup of coffee for the drive home. The smartwatch on my wrist lets out a buzz. If I don’t leave within the next ten minutes, Martin will be late. I stare at the back exit and dare myself to just walk out.
May I talk to you in my office?I don’t like how formally he addresses me here. Sure, he’s technically my boss, but he relishes that authority more than he should.
"Hey, Ross?" I say while stepping into the hallway. He’s leading Loretta to the front desk.
“Bye, Loretta,” he says. “You have a wonderful day. Tell Patrick and the fam hi for me, will you?” His gaze veers toward one of the assistants down the hall, Brenda, a woman in her early thirties who adores Ross. Heck, all the women in the office adore the man besides me.
“Will do,” Loretta beams. “Bye, Ashley.”
I give Loretta a wave, then look back at Ross in time to catch his heated glare.
"Dr. Brynn, Ashley, please address me as Dr. Brynn in the office, not Ross."
The irritation in his tone makes me grit my teeth. "Okay. I have to go,Dr. Brynn. Can we save the chat for tomorrow?"
