Page 131 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“You…you mentioned it at the dinner.”

“No, I didn’t, because my life isn’t any of your business. Outside of these meetings, what I do, and who I do it with is none of your concern. So, tell me, are you having me followed?”

“You’re a valuable commodity, Owen. Daddy wants to protect his investment.”

“I’m a human being, not a goddamn stock option!”

“You think I don’t know that,” Charlotte bellows back, and it’s almost frightening to see her show of emotion. “You think he treats me any differently? We’re all chattel to him, Owen. But you have a chance to change the face of medicine. This couple we are meeting with tonight has the means to fund the training center single handedly. I know you’re angry, I know you feel like a dancing bear, but this could secure your financial future.”

“The money means nothing.”

“But helping people does. The bruise on your jaw proves that. The way you look at Tallulah proves how much certain people mean to you. This would help them. All of them. Don’t forget, cooperate now, and I’ll help Tallulah later.”

Christ, nothing like a good bribe to keep you on the straight and narrow. She’s right though, on more than one count. This procedurewillsave countless lives, and the coordinator position would be a gigantic step up for my Tally. I’m happy to take care of her the rest of my life, but I know my girl, she’s far too stubborn to allow that to happen.

At this point, I’ll be lucky if she even considers dating me again.

With a resigned sigh, I grab my wallet and motion to the door. “One dancing bear at your service. We might as well get this over with.”

30

Tally

For about the millionth time in the last few weeks, I cry myself to sleep, images of Owen and Charlotte in compromising positions dancing through my head.

But this morning, my tears have dried, along with any notion that Owen will be involved in our baby’s life. Correction—mybaby’s life.

I stare at the growing pile of boxes stacked in all corners of the apartment. Perhaps now is the time to look for a new position far away from Memorial. That way, Owen will never suspect a thing, and I won’t be privy to his reconciliation with Charlotte. Hell, I’m no fool. I know it’s a forgone conclusion. Even if he claims to want me, a life with Charlotte is the smart route. The safe route.

Love isn’t part of the plan when you’re a man like Owen. There’s too much at stake to follow the whims of your heart.

“What do you think, Hecate? Shall we try some other part of the country? Would you like to move to the mountains, fight off coyotes and wildebeests?” I stroke her glossy fur, giving her tail a tickle as she stretches.

To live the life of a cat.

I’ve spent the last fifteen years in Florida, but the place never felt like home. I followed my father down here when he retired, and there was no way in hell I was leaving him after he got sick.

But now, my father is gone. Maybe it’s time for me to hightail it to my next adventure.Ournext adventure, I bemuse, running my hand along my slightly swollen abdomen. To the outside world, I look normal. But when I shed my clothes, the outline of my bump is evident. That, and my ever-enlarging boobs. I swear, they’ll be the size of watermelons at the rate I’m going.

By the time I put my vehicle into drive, headed for Memorial, I’ve reached a decision. I’ll start looking for a new nursing position tonight. A travel gig is easy enough to come by, and that can take me, Nugget, and Hecate anywhere in the country. We may need to camp in a hotel room for a couple of weeks, but that’s not a tragedy.

I feel a sense of calm now that I’ve let go of the idea of Owen and me being anything more than a passing fancy. The anger and anxiety are gone, replaced with the pressing knowledge that I need to get my ducks in a row, and those ducks need to swim far from Fort Lauderdale.

* * *

“I’m sorry, no.”

I bite back a smirk. Stefani is not in favor of any relocation plans. “Well, it isn’t exactly your decision, but I haven’t decided yet. I just think a fresh start is a good idea, considering.”

“Lu, have you even told Owen about…” she inquires, offering a pointed glance at my stomach.

“No, and I don’t plan on it.”

“That’s not right, and you know it.”

I release a drawn-out sigh, slumping back in the chair. It’s an unusually quiet day on the unit, and the staff is taking advantage of the downtime to catch up—on gossip, mostly. “He’s got so much going on, and his situation changes daily. Not to mention that his ex isn’t really his ex.”

“They’re back together?”

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