Should I knock?
I should knock.
No. She’s my roommate—not my responsibility.
If she’s late for work, that’s on her.
Fuck it.
I’m going to knock.
When I hear movement from the other side, I still, my hand frozen in mid-air.
Just knock.
With a deep breath, I lightly rap on the door. “Claire?”
The movement ceases. “Yes?”
“Uh, I’m headed out. Are you… um… Please meet me at the clinic in ten minutes.”
“Will do,” she calls back.
I turn to leave, then pause and whip around again. “The keys to the golf cart are on the kitchen counter. Are you okay driving it?”
“Yup. I grew up next to a country club,” she chirps. Followed by, “Sorry, that sounded pretentious. I swear I’m not.”
With amusement rolling through me, I say, “Didn’t think you were. I know your brother. I assume you’re just as down-to-earth.”
When she doesn’t respond, I tell her I’ll see her soon, then walk away.
Jack and Natalie are on grandparent duty, so I hop in the spare golf cart and head toward the clinic, where I find Jessica waiting.
“Thanks for coming in to help Dr. Connelly get situated.”
“Don’t mention it, honey,” she replies. “Happy to help. Dr. Connelly has some big shoes to fill after all these yearswith Dr. Parsons, but she seems delightful.” She cranes her neck, looking behind me, then checks her watch. “Where is she?”
I shrug. “She was still getting ready when I left, but she said she would be here in ten.”
Exactly eleven minutes later, Claire flies through the door. “Asshole reporting for duty.” She salutes.
I scoff, straightening. “You’re not going to let me live that one down, are you?”
“Nope.” She smirks.
“Do I even want to know?” Jessica chuckles. “Why are you out of breath? Did you run here?” she asks Claire, then zeroes in on me. “Did you not leave her with transportation?”
Claire brushes back the stray hairs that have fallen from the knot sitting on the top of her head. “No. He did. I—Well, I was running a tad behind. Maybe I should have disclosed this to you earlier, but I have a bad habit of being late. It’s not ideal, trust me, I know.” She chews on her bottom lip, and the urge to pluck it free with my thumb startles me. “My last receptionist shifted the appointment times on my schedule by thirty minutes so I’d technically be on time.” The nervous laughter that falls from her lush lips is so endearing I can’t even be upset.
But this is my place of business, so I say, “Then I suggest you make a note to be here thirty minutes earlier.”
She bristles, but I ignore it, turning to Jessica. “Please acclimate Dr. Connelly. I’ll be back later.”
With a terse nod, Claire sets her purse on the desk.
Then, because a wall of regret has slammed into me and I fear I’ve come across as a major dick, I grin and say, “Welcome to the team, Doc.”
My face flames as I exit the building. Fuck. Was I an ass? It’s just—all the changes recently have thrown a huge curveball. First the tree falls on the cabin next door. Then Jack and Natalieannounce they’re not leaving. And now Claire has moved in. No, notmoved in. Shacking up? Nope. That sounds even worse.
