I hadn’t planned on fending off Jeremiah today.
Not in a million years did I think he’d make time to stop in and say goodbye.
Now that I think about it, I didn’t see him as much as acknowledge Susan duringherparty.
The surgeon and I slept together on and off for a few months. Nothing serious, just two busy people blowing off steam. Everything about it was based on convenience.
Until it wasn’t.
Then the randomgood morningtexts started. At first, it was harmless. Sure, he was pushing the boundaries of our “casual” agreement, but it wasn’t a huge deal. Then he started interrupting my workday to persistently ask when he could see me again.
Things that should’ve made my stomach flutter only made it turn. He was turning what had been a private arrangement into something I had to actively avoid.
In the conference room, he came straight at me, ignoring every rule we’d set about keeping things professional and the fact that I’d called things off weeks ago.
I had to make an excuse to leave just to get out of the conversation.
He didn’t just miss the hint, he blatantly ignored it, insisting on walking me out, claiming he wanted my opinion on a patient.
He didn’t.
The whole walk he kept trying to make plans, joking he’d wear me down eventually.
I’d laughed in his face, dumbfounded.
Probably a mistake, but it was either that or make a scene.
When I spotted Emmett I made an escape and told Jeremiah—again—that I wasn’t interested.
I’m going to have to deal with Jeremiah soon, though.
CHAPTER
NINE
ASPEN
I’m halfway back to the conference room when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I ignore it, hellbent on getting out of here before Jeremiah spots me again and forces the confrontation I’m avoiding.
Peeking through the conference room window, I’m relieved to see the coast is clear. Only a few staff members are still hanging around, and the cake is gone, save for crumbs and smears of frosting.
It takes a second to spot my keys right where I’d been cornered, and as I scoop them up, I consider going up to the admin offices to file a report while I head back for the door.
Then again, after my outburst and ditching him for Emmett maybe he’ll finally back off.
At least, I hope he will.
A glance down the hallway tells me I’m good.
Keys in hand, I head to the parking lot, unlocking my car and slipping inside. Inside the safety of my car, I fish out my phone and unlock my screen, checking the missed call from before.
A string of ridiculous memes in the group chat with my girlfriends takes the edge off my annoyance with the Jeremiah situation. The longer I scroll, the wider my smile stretches. Ireact to a few of them and tap out a quick reply to the last, before swiping to my other notifications.
Two missed calls and a text from my oldest brother.
Trace:Call me when you get this.
Anxiety tightens in my chest when I notice it’s not in the sibling group chat. Trace never leaves Drake off the chain. My mind immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario. Drake was racing today somewhere in South America. I can’t remember where or when, but Tessa was racing there with him and she hasn’t called. That’s got to be a good sign.
