Standing ramrod straight, I rotate to face him. “Of course not. Why would you…”
Brenner raises a challenging brow. “Because she’s leaving soon, and I know for a fact you haven’t found a replacement yet.”
“Exactly. I haven’t found a new doctor yet,” I say, completely disregarding the first part of his statement.
“And why is that?” The opposite brow quirks this time, and I briefly wonder what other party tricks he has up hissleeve.
“I interviewed someone at the start of the summer, but they weren’t a great fit.”
“I remember,” Brenner replies. “And I think you made the right call on that one. But what about since then? Unless you’ve been scheduling interviews behind my back, there have been exactly zero.”
Hackles rising, I say, “I’ve been busy.”
Both Brenner and Jack make sounds that roughly translate into “you’re so full of shit.”
I ignore them.
We’d already cleared the fall schedule for the camp since construction would be in full swing, so I don’t need a new doctor until wintertime anyway. Too bad it’s a little late to string together a staff and market for the fall season. We could really use the money from the retreats now that the expansion isn’t happening.
Brenner clamps a sympathetic hand on my shoulder, as if he can smell the stress seeping from my pores. “You’re going to figure it out. You always do.”
I shake my head. “Not this time, man. I’m at a loss.”
“This may set the expansion back, but it’s not the end. Stay optimistic.”
With a weak smile, I thank him for his support and excuse myself.
Jack and I part ways when we reach our respective offices, but the moment I’m alone, I know I won’t be able to concentrate. I consider taking Bea to feed the ducks or horses, but I’m wound too tight and I don’t want to risk losing my patience with her.
It’s no use sitting here staring at my computer screen either, so I sneak out the back and peel away in the golf cart.
Claire’s cart is parked in the driveway, though that doesn’t mean she’s home. Sometimes she jogs to the gym or walks to the recreation room to paint.
If I find her inside, it will be so fucking hard, but I’m going to tell her this thing between us needs to end. That we’ve gotten carried away and it’s gone too far. That it’s what’s best for the both of us. That she’s leaving next week, anyway, so what’s the difference if we end things a little early?
But the second I enter and find her wiping down the kitchen countertops with a rag, wearing nothing but fuzzy socks and one of my old college T-shirts that barely covers her ass, the raw, carnal side of me unleashes.
With more force than necessary, I throw the door shut. The sound startles her, and when she spins around, I’m already stalking her like prey.
“Ash,” she says on an inhale.
“I need you.”
She steps forward, eating up the space between us, her face etched in concern. “Is everything okay?”
“I need you,” I repeat.
She wraps her arms around my neck and gives me a subtle nod. When I pick her up and set her on the counter, she spreads her legs wide for me.
The answer to my problems may not be found between her thighs, but I think I should check just in case.
35
Claire
Asherand I have been like ships passing in the night for the last couple of weeks. He programs his fancy espresso machine to spit out coffee for me when I wake up, but he and Bea are out the door before I’ve come out of my bedroom. In the evenings, Bea monopolizes his time, as she should. After he puts her to bed, he’s back to working on who knows what until well after I’ve gone to sleep.
I’ve offered to help, but he refuses to let me, relying on Jack and Natalie instead, especially when it involves Bea. He’s been keeping her so busy with camp activities that I’ve barely seen her.
