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“I was just telling Dr. Redmond here about your interview yesterday up in San Francisco and that I was hoping you’d want to stay on here instead.”
The new doctor didn’t miss a beat. “We have a pregnant socialite looking for an OB and two actresses going through in vitro. Hopefully, they’ll be pregnant soon. Imagine the word of mouth in those social circles. Then we could bring on a pediatrician for once the babies are born. The word of mouth continues on into their exclusive schools. You could be the next biggest thing in Hollywood.”
Why did I feel like I was auditioning? Yikes. Poor Lucas. This was the exact opposite of what he’d envisioned. “Thank you, but I’ve decided I won’t be staying.”
“You’re taking the job in San Fran?” Dr. Marshall asked.
“No. I appreciate the opportunity, but I’ve found something else.”
Both men looked disappointed, but there was nothing they could do to convince me otherwise.
“If you change your mind, please let us know,” Dr. Marshall said.
He might be a grump, but at least he wasn’t blackmailing or sabotaging me like my last boss. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Feeling lighter already, I walked out only to see Lucas striding toward me. Frack. I wasn’t prepared to see him yet.
“Have a minute?” he questioned, his eyes searching my face.
“Actually, I have an appointment I need to get to.”
“What time?”
“What?”
“What time is your first appointment?”
“Eight, but—” Shit. I realized my mistake in answering honestly when I glanced up at the wall clock and saw it was barely past seven.
“Good. I’ll only take a few minutes.”
He moved to take my arm, probably to lead me to an office, but I panicked. “I can’t do this here.”
“Outside in my car, then. Please.”
It was the “please” that got me. “Fine.”
We didn’t speak on the way out to his SUV, nor while I got into the passenger seat and Lucas climbed into the driver’s side.
“I owe you an apology.”
I wasn’t surprised he’d offer. He was a nice guy who reflected on the consequences of his actions. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not. I was completely out of line to try to influence your career choices. Even more so in saying it was a mistake to bring you here. It wasn’t. You should take the job here if it’s what you want. Sincerely.”
“I don’t. And I just told Dr. Marshall I won’t be staying. But I’ll finish up my time here as planned.” I made the mistake of making eye contact and quickly looked away again. If it hadn’t been obvious to me before, it was now. I’d fallen for this man. To be talking business with him while my heart was breaking was torture.
“Don’t give up this job because of me.”
“I’m not. It’s not what I want. And based on meeting Dr. Redmond this morning, my decision is a sound one.”
He expelled a long breath. “What will you do?”
For the first time this morning, I smiled. “Something a little crazy.”
