Page 165 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Owen has already shown me the procedure, so I’m sure I’ll catch on with no trouble. He’s a hell of an interventionist, we’re lucky to have him at Memorial.”

I bite back a laugh. Ken is overdoing it, piling on the compliments, all aimed in my direction. I must send him a bottle of scotch for the effort.

“Dr. Jessop is a tremendous asset to our team,” I add, noting the change in Auerback’s gaze when he looks back at me.

“Let’s hopeyou’remore loyal to this team than your last one.”

Yet another fucked up thing about the Auerback family. I was a team member, not part of the family. My pedigree wasn’t posh enough to earn me that distinction. In his eyes, I should be grateful for any access to his family name and money.

“My loyalty never faltered, but I can’t the same for myteammates.”

I earn a glare from the billionaire, but I’m done singing for my supper. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“I’m sure you do,” I hiss, our icy glares holding. I want to spew out a rail of obscenities all over his custom cut tuxedo, reminding Martin Auerback that he needs this deal more than I do, but I resist the urge. Instead, I employ another tactic learned during my years of medical schooling—the art of diplomacy. “But this training facility is about far more than you or me…or your daughter. Think of all the people we can save. I only wish we might have discovered it sooner.”

Mr. Auerback’s eyes glaze at my words. His second wife, the true love of his lonely life, died from heart failure. She was an otherwise healthy woman, but her condition went undiagnosed for too long. She couldn’t survive the surgery. All his money, all his power, couldn’t save the one person he loved most in the world.

“She would be happy that this procedure has the aptitude to save so many.” He claps my shoulder, an unspoken truce passing between us. “Let’s get on with it, shall we? To be honest, I hate these things as much as you do.”

I smile, the first genuine one since I entered the ballroom. “Business is far better conducted on a golf course.”

“Quite right.” Mr. Auerback returns his attention to Dr. Jessop, nodding toward the cigar bar. “Shall we mingle?”

Sorry, bud, but I’ve played that role far too many times. It’s your turn tonight.

I chuckle under my breath at Ken’s face, as my former almost in-law drags him round to one of a hundred whales. Hey, he wanted to live the high life. Now is his chance, and while they’re busy, I can reach out to the woman who has been on my mind all day.

Ducking into an alcove, I pull out my phone, dialing Tally. It’s late in Florida, but I know the woman only sleeps when I’m holding her. Another reason I want to get this business deal sewn up.

“Do you know what time it is?” Tally asks, her voice thick.

“Time for me to be home,” I respond, leaning against the wall as I fall into her husky laugh.

“I agree. How’s it going in La La Land?”

“La La Land is several hours south, and likely less artificial than the crap I’m dealing with tonight.”

“That bad?”

“It’s not good.”

“Oh, you got a few phone calls and some mail from a Regent Hospital in Asheville. The woman on the phone said she was returning your call. Something about a job?”

Regent isn’t wasting any time. “I field calls like that constantly.”

“I’m sure you do. Any place would be lucky to have you. I know I am.”

Something in her voice, mixed with the thousands of miles between us, catches up to me. “I need to ask you something.”

“Uh-oh.”

“What’s the uh-oh for?”

“You’re calling at half past midnight to ask me something? You’re getting calls from other hospitals? Owen, please don’t break up with me over the phone. I will kick your ass if you do that.” She’s joking, but I hear the undercurrent of uncertainty in her tone. I know this is hard for her. It’s no secret Charlotte wants me back, and although Tally seems secure in her place, sometimes the cracks show. “Seriously, I don’t want to pack again.”

“Will you be quiet? I am not breaking up with you.”

“Oh, I get it,” she mumbles, a throaty chuckle escaping her lips. “Are you hiding in the bathroom, hoping for a bit of that phone sex you promised earlier?”

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