Dreadful memories from med school flood my system and bile rises in my throat.
I leap to my feet and fly across the room, nearly catching my toe on a yoga strap that was left behind. I’m mere feet away when Todd puts his hands on Lacey’s backside.
“Don’t fall now,” he says with false concern.
She’s elevated twelve inches off the ground. She’s not going to fall.
“Lacey,” I say, my tone calm yet commanding.
“Dr. Connelly,” Todd croaks, immediately retracting his hands. “I, uh, didn’t realize you were still here. I was just telling Lacey how much I enjoy her class.”
“I know.” I keep my focus locked on him, praying those two little words are enough to imply that I just witnessed the whole interaction.
Eyes narrowed, he looks from Lacey to me. He may tower over me, but my power stance remains sturdy.
Lacey, on the other hand, looks like a frightened baby bird.
He clears his throat. “I think I’ll?—”
“Go,” I finish for him. “Goodbye,Mr. Harmon.”
When I’m certain he’s left the room, I face Lacey. “Are you okay?”
Lip quivering, she nods.
“Has he done something like that before?”
She shrugs. “He’s never touched me before. But he’s always staring at me in class. Yes, students are looking at me for instruction and form, but he stares at me longer than necessary, you know? Or maybe not. Maybe I’m overthinking it.”
Lacey’s words are like a punch to my gut. The way she’s gaslighting herself leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
“You’re not overthinking it,” I assure her. “Have you spoken to Asher about this?”
Ducking, she shakes her head.
“Why not?”
She sighs. “The Harmons are financing the expansion of the camp. I don’t want to ruffle any feathers.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize.” A sense of disquiet seeps into my veins.
Lacey’s situation is all too relatable. She thinks she’s taking the easy way out by not causing drama. But I can’t stand back and let her repeat my mistake. I refuse to allow another man to get away with being a sleazy piece of shit. “I’ll take care of it,” I promise her.
Though her smile is timid, she doesn’t argue.
I’ve nearly reached the welcome center when I remember Asher is out on the boat with the guys. I call his cell, but it rings until it goes to voicemail. I don’t leave a message, but I do march straight to the childcare building.
Call it an adjacent maternal instinct, but I feel a strong urge to be near Bea. It’s as if I have a sense of obligation to protect her.
Spotting me at the door right away, she cheers. “Claire!”
She nearly face-plants as she leaps over a plastic firetruck, but she corrects herself at the last second.
“Oof,” I say as she barrels into me. “You okay, Dolly? That was a close one.”
Cheeks flushed, she drops her head back. “I’m okay. Are you here to pick me up?”
“Yes, but only if you’re ready to go home.”
