Colton turns to him sharply. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I just watched a territorial dispute,” Frank replies.
Heat floods my face. “Frank.”
“What?” he says. “You think I didn’t notice he’d stayed when he didn’t need to?”
Colton’s jaw tightens. “This isn’t a joke.”
Frank’s smile softens. “No, it’s not.”
Colton holds his gaze for a long moment, then turns and leaves without another word. The door shuts behind him. My pulse is still racing.
Frank watches the door, then looks at me.
Heat rushes to my face. “Frank.”
“What?” he says innocently. “I’ve been stuck in this bed long enough to notice things.”
Frank thinks for a moment before turning to me. “He’s a disaster.”
I laugh weakly. “You shouldn’t provoke him.”
“I didn’t,” Frank says. “You two did that all on your own.”
I shake my head, suddenly exhausted. “I don’t know what he wants.”
Frank’s expression softens. “Neither does he.”
That shouldn’t comfort me, but somehow, it does.
Chapter Sixteen
Colton
I’m leaving work on time. That alone should tell me everything I need to know.
My last patient’s exam goes smoothly. My notes are thoroughly marked in the charts. My desk is clear. No one needs me. There is absolutely no reason for me to stay, and yet my body fights it—restless, irritated, keyed too tight for a day that’s technically done.
Melissa doesn’t come by my office. I try to tell myself I don’t notice, but that’s another lie.
I take the elevator down alone, jaw clenched, replaying the way Owens looked at her. Not leering. Not inappropriate. It was worse. Like he was interested. Curious. Like she was a puzzle worth studying.
Like she wasavailable.
My fingers curl around my keys as I step into the parking garage. The sound echoes too loudly. Everything feels toosharp, too present, like my nerves haven’t gotten the message that I’m off duty.
I drive without music. That’s how I know I’m spiraling.
By the time I pull up to Walker’s building, the skyline is lit in that clean, untouchable way money buys. I park, ride the private elevator up, and practice breathing like a man who has his shit together.
I get to the front door and knock. It opens directly into his penthouse.
“About time,” Walker greets. “You disappear for days and then show up looking like you want to punch a wall.”
“I’m fine,” I say automatically.
He snorts. “Sure you are.”
