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Why can nothing ever be easy? I feel like Audrey and I, since losing our parents, have been running a rat race that never seems to slow down.
“You’ll do just fine, Charlotte,” he says kindly. “Now, let’s get down to it. Mr. Pennington, what questions do you have for us?”
Spencer begins to ask questions about the processes of the practice, new patient acquisition, and staffing. I don’t know how, but I manage to answer questions when they’re directed at me, but for the most part, I let Dr. Phillips take the lead. It pisses me off because the last thing I want is for Spencer to think that I’m shit at my job.
I’m not.
I’m damn good at what I do, but I’ve been thrown a huge curveball today, and I’m struggling to make sense of it all. I hate that I’m going to have to find a new job, and then there’s the worry that I won’t find anything in Charleston. Audrey just moved in with me, and I can’t abandon her, not after what she’s been through. I’m just going to have to suck it up and deal. I mean, how involved will he be? Surely, he has a COO or director that will handle the day-to-day. What CEO works directly with a practice administrator? I’m freaking out because it’s him.
Everything is going to work out.
I hope.
“Well, lunch should be here.” Dr. Phillips stands, and I realize we’ve been in this room for close to two hours talking, and I didn’t retain one single thing we discussed. I need to get it together. “Charlotte, I’ll leave you with Mr. Pennington. Enjoy lunch and the rest of your day. Mr. Pennington.” He turns to look at Spencer. “If you have any additional questions after seeing the other two locations, please let me know.”
“Thank you, Dr. Phillips.” Spencer stands and shakes his hand. “I’ll be in touch.”
Dr. Phillips nods, and then it’s just the two of us.
“Small world, huh?” Spencer asks.
“I don’t suppose I could talk you out of this deal?” I ask him.
He chuckles. “It’s a good business move for me. Why would I do that?”
“This can’t be happening,” I mutter under my breath. Pushing back from the table, I stand and move toward the door. “If you’re hungry, follow me.”
“Is that any way to treat your new boss?” Spencer asks. His long legs close the distance between us. He doesn’t stop until he’s toe to toe with me.
I tilt my head back to look at him. “You’re not my boss yet.”
My breath hitches when he bends over, leaning in close and placing his lips next to my ear. “This is happening, Charlie.” He stands back to his full height. “Get used to seeing me around.” He smiles, and even though he has a beard, I know there is a dimple hiding in there, and I hate that. I wish that I could see it.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be looking for new employment as soon as this day ends.” I turn back to the door and immediately feel his hand at my elbow before I can pull it open.
“Charlotte,” he says softly. I don’t turn to look at him. My emotions are all over the place, and hot tears prick my eyes. His thumb rubs circles on my arm where he’s still keeping me from leaving the room. His grip is loose but still effective. “Look at me.”
“Can we not do this, Spencer? Please?” My voice cracks. I swallow hard. “Not here.”
What happens next has my knees turning to jelly, and I’m glad he has a hold on me and that I have a hold on the door handle. Because when he leans in close, his scent surrounding me, and presses his lips to my temple, I barely stay up on my feet.
The feel of his soft lips against my skin, the heat of his touch, it’s all too much. I have to get out of this room. I need some space, just a damn minute to breathe and process that my afternoon will be spent with him.
He drops his hand, and I take a moment to take in a long deep breath and slowly exhale before pulling open the door, plastering a smile on my face, and leading him to the break room to make himself a plate.
Thankfully, the staff still have ten minutes before we turn the phones off for lunch, so Spencer and I are able to make our plates before without anyone watching us. I’m grateful because I know the tension between us is palpable. I feel it as though it’s a living, breathing thing stretched between us, and that is not something my staff needs to see.
Once we both have our plates made, I lead him back to the conference room, where I shut the door. Not because I want to be alone with him but because I don’t want prying eyes to see how uncomfortable I am.
“How has your week been?” Spencer asks.
I look up at him just as I am about to take a bite of my turkey sub on wheat. “Do you really care?”
He chuckles. “Do I look like a man that would ask a question he doesn’t care to know the answer to?”
“Are you forgetting that I know the pre-CEO Spencer? The one who walked around the Clemson campus as if he owned the world? The same guy who could smile, and the ladies would practically toss their panties at you. Or the guy that would gloat if he got a higher grade than me? I know that guy, and he doesn’t give a fuck how my week has been.”
“Charlie—”
