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I swallow a lump in my throat. “He’s a good man,” I say, blinking back some unsolicited tears.
“I would have to agree with you there.” Davis’s mom grins, patting me gently on the back.“And youarea good woman, Alana. You and Davis are stronger together. Not the other way around.”
Those words hit me in the soul. And they keep replaying in my head as we finish baking.
Grammy sends me off with a baggie full of goodies. But I’m realizing that I don’t feel the need to drown myself in sugar anymore. After talking with Davis’s grandmother and mom, I feel like I can do it.
I’m starting to think that I might actually be brave enough to do what I need to do.
36
ALANA
Meghan pokes her head into my office where I’m reading over the day’s patient charts. “We’re still going for a walk today, right?”
“Yeah, definitely,” I tell her. “Just give me ten minutes to finish up here.” The last few days have been…a lot. I could use the fresh air to clear my head.
“Got it. I’ll go prep the exam rooms for tomorrow’s appointments.” She snaps a wink at me.
Meghan has been so good about watching over me this past week. Normally, I’d try to shrug off her concerns and act like I’m fine, telling her not to fuss over me. But I took our last deep conversation to heart. Ever since then, I’ve been learning to become accustomed to letting my friends take care of me. I’ve been slowly learning to accept love instead of trying to shoulder all my problems on my own.
Eager to finish up for the night, I focus my attention on the files in front of me. The work day is pretty much over. Darcy and Barbara have checked out the last patients of the day. Maxine is already done watering the plants. They all said their goodbyes five minutes ago.
I’m pretty much the one holding Meghan here. I’m sure Cash and their cats are at home, impatiently awaiting her arrival.
Every few days, we take a walk through town in the evening instead of rushing straight home. It’s a longstanding tradition between my best friend and me. We usually grab a coffee and pass by Rainbows and Butterflies, the baby clothing store owned by Meghan’s mother, then swing by Ziggy’s metaphysical shop to say ‘hi’.
I’m scribbling notes into the last of my patient files when I feel a presence in my doorway. I look up, expecting to find Meghan ready to leave, but instead, my eyes connect with the absolute last person in the world I want to see. At the sight of the man, my stomach twists into a tight lump.
The mayor of Honey Hill flashes a set of gleaming porcelain veneers at me from under his thick blond mustache. “Dr. Haywood. Funny running into you here.” He stands there in a pin-striped suit and a top hat, stroking the gray tabby cat in his arms.
My god. This man really is a cross between the Monopoly man and a real-life Paw Patrol villain. And why does he insist on calling me by my maiden name?
I swallow. “Well, this is my office. Myclinic, actually. My name is on the door.” In big, bold gold-plated letters, to be precise. What does he need? A fucking flashing neon sign? “And I go byDr. Westbrook. As I’m sure you know.”
He nods his head slowly. “Oh, that’s right.” He glances around my office. “I hear congratulations are in order?”
“Congratulations?” I ask, my annoyance rising. The longer this man stands here, the harder my pulse thumps.
He takes a few steps into my office and a slimy feeling slithers down my spine. “Word around town is that you and your ex-husband seem to have…rekindled that old flame.”
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
The mayor observes my reaction then chuckles ‘good-naturedly’. “Judging by the face you’re making, I’ll assume that the rumors are true.”
Breathing a tremulous breath, I straighten my spine and push my shoulders back. “I’m just surprised, that’s all. With all the important issues currently plaguing the town, I’m surprised that you have the time to keep up with the gossip mill.” I try desperately to keep my voice from shaking. “Did you hear about the vandalism at the local playground? It’s terrible. So upsetting for the kids in the community.” I go on. “And the Welcome to Honey Hill sign, it’s been in bad shape for months, flapping around over the roadway. But ever since the recent storms, it’s more dangerous than ever. Lots of issues around town require attention. So, as I said—I’m just surprised that you have time to keep up with the gossip.”
I flinch at the defensive tone in my own voice. I need to get my emotional reactions under control. I’m playing right into Thompson’s hands.
Yes. I’m still painfully in love with my ex-husband.But this cutthroat politico doesn’t need to know that.
“Don’t worry, Dr.Haywood. All those problems will be addressed in due time—once I’m reelected to office. I can assure you. Right now, I just need to make sure that nothing, and no one, will get in my way.”
Bile rises into my throat at his implication. My brain runs through a dozen different scenarios for how he can ruin my life—Davis’s life—again.
Mayor Thompson slowly looks around my office. The pictures of my fluffy four-legged patients on the window sill. The animal posters taped to the closet door. My diplomas and certificates hanging proudly on my wall.
