Page 41 of Brain Damage

Who did I just marry?

That last thought sends a chill down my spine. Clark and I rushed into marriage—I see that very clearly now. And stupid me, I didn’t even make him sign a prenuptial agreement. It never even occurred to me that he might have married me for financial reasons, especially since I spent most of my life scraping for quarters. In med school, if there was ever any sort of free lunch available, I’d bring home seconds and thirds to feed me for days. But I have to remember those times are gone.

Is it too late for an annulment?

I take another long sip from my Bahama mama, weighing my options, when my thoughts are interrupted by a voice coming from behind me:

“Dr. McKenna? Is that you?”

My head is swimming slightly from the rum as I turn around. My mouth falls open when I see the familiar face of one of my former patients.

It’s Stan Leroy. Groin fungus guy.

I have to blink a few times to make sure I’m not imagining things. But no, it’s definitely Stan Leroy. Here in the Bahamas. Wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sporting a rather flattering tan.

“It really is you!” He beams at me. “What a wild coincidence!”

It certainly is.

Except is this actually a coincidence? In my head, I calculate the odds of Leroy and I ending up in the Bahamas at the same time at the same hotel. It seems astronomically low.

But what is the alternative? That he somehow found out about my honeymoon plans and followed me here? Even if he’s a stalker, that seems so unlikely.

“What are you doing here?” I blurt out, possibly a little too loudly. This drink has a lot of rum.

Leroy doesn’t seem at all offended. “I come here every year. It’s the best resort in the Bahamas.” He grins at the sunset-colored slushy in front of me. “And I see you have their best drink.”

I can only nod.

“So,” he says. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m on my honeymoon.”

His eyebrows shoot up at my answer. “Your honeymoon? So where’s your husband?”

My cheeks flush, and I can’t tell if it’s from the alcohol or not. “It’s a long story.”

“Well…” His eyes soften as he settles down on the barstool next to mine. “I’m a good listener.”

I am seized with the sudden urge to completely spill my guts to this man. He actually does seem like a good listener. I’m not sure why, just something about him.

But just as I am opening my mouth to get started, I catch sight of somebody entering the bar. It’s Clark. He’s standing by the entrance, searching the room, a concerned expression on his face. He looks so worried. Almost as suddenly as it began, all my anger dissolves.

This man is my husband. We’re a team. I should never have stormed out that way.

“Excuse me,” I say to Leroy. “My husband just showed up.”

Leroy doesn’t protest as I hop off my own barstool and cross the room to where Clark is standing. Relief fills his chiseled features when he catches sight of me. Before I can say a word, he rushes over to me and throws his arms around me.

“I’m so sorry, Charlotte,” he murmurs into my hair. “I made a mistake. I love you so much, and I was scared to tell you I left my job, because I didn’t want you to lose respect for me.”

“No, I’m sorry,” I say softly. “I really do want you to be happy. I just… I wish you’d consult me before you make any big decisions.”

Clark pulls away from me, his eyes damp. “You’re absolutely right. I’ve been single my whole life, and it’s… well, it’s a transition. But I swear, next time I have a big decision to make, we’ll make it together. Okay?”

I smile up at him. “Sounds like a plan.”

This time when Clark’s strong arms encircle my body, his lips press against mine. I’ve always thought that Clark and I had amazing kisses. I used to believe it was some sort of amazing chemistry the two of us had together.