Page 26 of Free to Fall

Laura moves through the space gracefully, as if she’s familiar with the setup. I put a mental pin to ask her later how we’ve never crossed paths in all the time I’ve worked for Hudson, but that’s for later. As she sinks into the chair, she thanks me.

I don’t waste time on any platitudes. “It’s been a difficult time for Bailey.”

“Tell me about her,” Laura encourages.

“That might take a while.”

She relaxes marginally. “I have nothing but time right now.”

I start with the medical, telling her about Bailey’s injury, from why we were at the ER that night to the injuries she sustained. Laura interrupts me a few times to clarify a few items before remarking, “I saw she was recently made limited weight bearing to transition to crutches?”

“For things like brushing her teeth and using the bathroom.”

“I know Dr. Rosenthal’s recovery guidelines well, as I used to be the one explaining them to the families.” My shoulders jerk when I hear that.

Laura’s lips twist wryly. “Before I ever called you, Uncle Keene mentioned he passed along my CV. You didn’t notice one of my rotations was with your daughter’s surgeon?”

“Dr. Lockwood—” I begin.

“Laura,” she corrects me.

“Laura.” I start again. “Your resume reads something along the lines of a Who’s Who of the AMA. After I got to page three, I’ll admit to it all blurring a bit.”

“For your own sake, I wouldn’t share that with my father, Uncle Keene, or anyone else who works here.”

“Why not?” The question pops out before I can stop it.

She leans forward and cups her hand to her mouth as if she’s about to confide something to me. I find myself leaning forward across my desk. With a gleam in her eyes, she stage whispers, “They might wonder if they’re not challenging you enough here at the office. Trust me, you don’t want that.” She shudders in mock horror.

I can’t help the snicker that escapes. “I know how to handle them.”

“With a whip and a chair?”

“By telling them they’re facing an audit.”

“Ahh, yes. That would keep them in line.” She taps a finger to her lips. “Too bad I can’t do that at family dinners. The worst I can threaten them with is a prostate exam.”

Chuckling, I ask. “Have to do that often?”

“Threaten my family?”

“Yes.”

“You work for them. You tell me,” she volleys back.

“I think family dinners must be entertaining, to say the least.”

“That’s one way to put it.”

Curious, I ask, “Are you planning on teaching my daughter how to handle me like you do your family when she gets to be your age?”

“If I have to teach her, she’s behind on her coursework. Mansplaining was a preliminary rite of passage in my childhood, Mr. Payne.”

“Liam,” I correct her again.

“Liam.” The way my name rolls off her tongue makes my cock twitch. To cover it, I roll closer to my desk, shifting my legs beneath the well to release the pressure on my strangling dick.

“What are your concerns about the job?” I ask her bluntly to get us back on track.

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