“Are you sure you’re going to be okay while I’m gone?” Caitlyn asked her father as he drove her to the airport in Charlotte.
“I’ll have to be. I’m sorry you thought twice about accepting this great work opportunity.” He rubbed his neck. “I don’t mean to drag you down. I just worry.”
Caitlyn’s stomach muscles knotted. He hadn’t mentioned her mother, but he was thinking of her. Yes, they’d caught Caitlyn’s at a fairly early stage which, by itself, was unusual. But ovarian cancer was linked to other forms of cancer, so she had a higher risk of developing it in other parts of her body.
“I’ll take extra special care of myself. Noah and I have already brainstormed a bunch of ideas I’m really excited to discuss with the rest of the team.” She’d been nervous about meeting with him one-on-one, but he’d acted professionally, if a little stiff, which had encouraged her.
“I just worry about you,” her father said, pulling her from her thoughts. She reached over and squeezed his hand.
“I’m looking forward to doing something besides think about the cancer.”
“You’re right.” He grimaced. “This’ll be good for you.”
“Dr. Dean said she’s really encouraged with my progress, and she thinks this trip will helpbothof us.” Caitlyn gave his shoulder a playful push. “Youneed to get a life again too.”
Her father let out a big breath. “It’s not just cancer I’m worried about in New York.”
“Dad...”
“I know. You said there will be a bodyguard, but he’ll be along for the owners, not you interns.”
“Focus on yourself for a change and try not to worry about me, okay? I’m twenty-one years old.” Caitlyn gave him the stern look he’d used on her when she was little. “Repeat after me: Iwillget a life.”
Her father shot her a flat look but, at her firm gaze, he repeated the words.
“Thank you.” She leaned against the headrest. “You’re going to expect me to give you an accounting of what I’m doing to take care of myself. Well, you’ll have to do the same for me.” When he started to shake his head, she raised a finger. “If it’s fair for me to do it, it’s even more fair for you.”
“You’re so like your mother.” He chuckled, pulling up to the airport’s passenger drop-off.
Caitlyn was glad he could make the comparison and smile, but whenever he said those words, she could only hope she wasn’ttoomuch like her mother.
“There’s Joe, the bodyguard.” She pointed to the tall black man wearing a suit, despite the warmth of the June morning. She recognized the new intern, Max, standing nearby, watching with interest as people drove up. “And there’s Zoe hugging her parents. Nothing can be bad if she’s there.”
“If you say so. Well, I guess it’s time.” Caitlyn’s father popped the trunk and hopped out of the car to get her suitcase.
Zoe was now waving farewell to her parents, who’d pulled away from the curb.
“You go ahead,” Dad said. “I’ll bring this.”
“I’m so glad to see you.” Zoe gave Caitlyn a fierce hug before stepping aside and pushing up her horn-rimmed glasses. “I’m scared to death to go to New York City. It’ssobig. Aren’t you terrified?”
“No, I’m excited.” And Caitlyn was.
A familiar truck took the spot a few spaces away. She backed up, trying to figure out if it was fifty feet. She almost hoped Keven had broken the restraining order. But why was he there?
Then she noticed Noah and Finn inside the truck. Of course, their brutal friend would be the one to drive them here.
Keven had gotten out and looked her way. The corner of his mouth curled up in a sneer, and then her father stepped up behind her. Keven hurried to the back of the truck to help pull out the luggage.
“You never saidhewas coming,” Dad said, his tone soft but menacing.
“He’snotcoming.” Caitlyn turned her back so she couldn’t see the truck and its passengers. “He’s just giving Noah a ride. They used to be roommates, and I guess they’re still friends.”
“If this Noah has the same hitting ways as his friend?—”
“Pleasedon’t make a scene.” Caitlyn threw her arms around her dad’s neck and hugged him. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’m Joe Brooks,” the big bodyguard said, approaching them. Joe gave the girls a nod of greeting but handed Caitlyn’s father a business card. “I’m over security for this trip. You cancontact me at any time if you have questions. I’ll take your bag, Caitlyn.” He grabbed the handle of her suitcase and said to Zoe, “I’ll get yours too.” Before she could say anything, he’d taken hers.
