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She grimaced. “I don’t have to answer to you. But I do want to give you some advice.”
“What?Don’tdate? Yeah. I got that. No offense, but I’m not interested in taking that advice.” She took a step forward, then stopped herself short and glowered at her sister. “Do you mind? I don’t want to be late.”
Brielle sighed. “Just think about what I said, okay? If he’s not being one hundred percent upfront and honest with you, then he’s not worth the risk. What do you think Dad would do if he found out you were dating James?”
She’d thought about it a lot, actually. “I’d like to think that he’d say he wanted me to be happy.”
“Don’t you think he’d follow through with his threats and kick you out of the house?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m steering clear of him until I can figure out a way to tell him. If Adeline was able to get Dad on board with Sean Baker, then I think James would be a piece of cake. He already likes James. He just needs to view him as the potential to be something more.” This time Constance was able to slip between the doorjamb and her sister and finally make it out into the hallway.
Brielle’s hand shot out and wrapped around Constance’s wrist, causing her to freeze and stare at where her sister held onto her.
“You can let go now.”
“Just—be careful. Don’t give him your heart just because he’s the first guy who gives you attention. There could be better men out there.”
“Not for me,” Constance bit out through gritted teeth. Her sister’s words had caused her enough pain for the evening. She didn’t need the doubt or self-loathing that her statements had also caused.
She needed to get to the clinic and throw her arms around James for a much-needed hug.
Perhaps something more.
* * *
The secondshe walked into the clinic, she felt like she was coming home. There were no sisters judging her for mistakes they themselves made. There was no threat hanging over her head if she were to get caught breaking her family’s one cardinal rule.
There was just the smell of a freshly mopped floor, the cool crisp air from when the AC kicked on, and the sound of Chloe’s fingers on the keyboard. She glanced up from the reception desk and smiled warmly at Constance.
“How are you this evening?”
“I’m doing good.”
Chloe’s gaze swept over Constance’s dress, nice cowboy boots, and purse. “You going out with James again?”
She nodded. “I think we’re getting dinner, but I’m not sure.” Constance nodded toward the back office. “Is he in there?”
Chloe nodded and waved her back. “Go ahead. I’m sure he’s expecting you.”
Constance moved around the reception desk and pushed open the door to James’s office. He stood near a window, the phone to his ear. “Yes. That’s exactly what you needed to do. Don’t worry, I’ll be over there in ten minutes.”
James turned around as he hung up the phone and jumped when his eyes landed on Constance. He pulled up his wrist and checked his watch. “Oh no, I lost track of time.”
“What’s the matter? Do we need to postpone?”
He moved toward a cabinet and pulled out a hefty clinical-looking bag. “I’m afraid so. I don’t have anyone who can handle this tonight. There’s a ranch just on the outskirts of town. Keagans, I believe. I’ve never been out there, but they have a horse that’s having trouble giving birth.”
Without hesitation, Constance dug through her purse and retrieved an elastic. She was in the middle of pulling her hair back when James stopped what he was doing to stare at her.
“What? I’m coming with you,” she said.
He strode toward her, a small smile on his face. “You don’t have to do that. I’m sure we can reschedule our reservation for tomorrow. You’d probably prefer to stay home instead of working on your night off.”
She shook her head. “You of all people should know better than that. I’m not going to let you go to another birthing and have all the fun without me. Besides, you need me.”
The way his bright eyes swept over her from her hair down to her boots and back to her face gave her pleasant chills. Her skin tingled with nervous energy and all the dismal thoughts that had weighed her down from before had disappeared.
She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his neck. “This is what makes us perfect for each other, you know.”
