Page 172 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“I should have known she would never let me have that position.” I squeeze Owen’s hand, smiling up at him. “Let me guess. She propositioned you, but you turned her down?”

“I’m sorry, Tally.” He radiates such sadness, knowing this caused me pain.

“I know it was all Charlotte, Owen. Don’t worry. Besides, I’ve got a good job at Memorial.”

Owen cups my face. “I don’t deserve you.”

“I know,” I smirk.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I had to come over and congratulate the new couple.” Charlotte extends her hand in greeting, and I have to wonder if she sloshed it around a toilet bowl first. “I hope you understand about the coordinator position, Tallulah. You simply don’t have the pedigree required.”

I see the gloves are off. Well, no worries, I love a good catfight.

I link my arm through Owen’s, my engagement ring on full display. “I understand perfectly. I may not have the pedigree, but I do have the man.”

“Well, when he’s around,” she snips, boldly meeting my gaze.

“Charlotte,” Owen hisses. “That has not been decided.”

“But Daddy said you spoke with him, not an hour ago. Right before your future wife walked in. The deal is set. Those were his exact words, and we both know the parameters of said deal.” Charlotte turns to me, a wicked flash of glee in her eyes.

Buckle up, baby. This is more than a fender bender. This is a head-on collision.

I take a step back, facing them both. “What are you two talking about?”

“Owen’s days with Memorial are numbered.”

My heart lurches. Suddenly the phone calls from North Carolina, the random pieces of mail from Regent Hospital, make sense. Did Owen accept a position at another hospital?

Not once did he mention leaving Memorial. At least, he never mentioned it to me.

“I can tell by your face that yourfiancéenever discussed this with you.”

I turn to Owen, clinging to a thread of hope that is rapidly disintegrating. “Are you taking a job at Regent? I know they were constantly calling.”

Charlotte is only too eager to answer my query. “The hospital in Asheville? No, although it was quite the deal they offered him.”

I’m going to punch the bitch. Seriously, the woman is walking out of here with a black eye.

Then it hits me—how does Charlotte know about the deal that Regent offered Owen, when I’m in the dark?

“I mean it, Charlotte. Shut the fuck up,” Owen warns, but I raise my hand, silencing him.

“No, I want to hear what Charlotte has to say. She’s apparently privy to information that’s been withheld from me. I’d like to level the playing field.”

Owen grips my hand, the muscles in his neck bulging. “Let’s go outside, and I’ll tell you everything. In private.”

“Okay. Let’s go,” I concede. Hey, the man asked me to marry him. I’m sure he’s got a perfectly logical explanation.

God, please let him have a perfectly logical explanation.

But Charlotte doesn’t grant us the courtesy of a private conversation. “Come January, Owen will help to open training centers around the country, and I, as his new partner, will be there every step of the way.”

My stomach threatens to lose my lunch as my gaze swings upward, but Owen averts his eyes. No matter, one look at the muscle ticking in his jaw and his fists clenching at his sides and I know her words are true. “You told me this was a onetime deal with her, Owen. You promised me.”

Charlotte laughs, but it holds only malice. “It started out that way, but he and I had a heart-to-heart in San Francisco. Besides, money is a wonderful motivator, and Dr. Stevens is making a windfall off this new position. You, and your needs, fell down the ladder of importance. But don’t worry, he’ll put you up in a lovely home.”

“He wouldn’t do that, Charlotte.” I hear the desperation in my voice, my gaze seeking out the man I love. “Would you, Owen?”

---