Page 73 of Finding Home

“It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us.”

~Jane Austen,Pride and Prejudice

Elle still hated flying; however, it was less of a horrible experience with Clayton. When he caught her fidgeting after they boarded, Clayton laced their fingers and held tight for the entire flight.

They arrived at the hotel around nine-thirty a.m., giving Elle a very short window before she needed to meet Malcolm and Dr. Holton in the lobby. While she was checking in, Clayton told her he’d be right back and slipped away. Elle nodded, not looking up from the paperwork. She was distracted by the self-doubt crowding her belly. She had to be here. It was work. But Clayton did not. A seed of fear wanted to blossom telling her this was the last time she’d see him. That any minute he’d be gone. It was irrational.It was unnecessary. It was obnoxious.But it was present.Like a tiny pebble in one’s shoe that won’t be shaken loose.

“Elle.”Malcolm’s deep baritone cut through Elle’s dismal thoughts.

“Malcolm,” she said, a little surprised, looking up from the check-in desk and turning to face him.

A perfectly tailored black suit hugged Malcolm’s tall and lean frame. With his leading man worthy good looks, he was a fantasy come true. Willa had fanned herself the first time she’d met him at a benefit she’d attended with Elle three years ago, referring to him as “hot boss”.

“Where are my manners?”he chided, his green eyes moving to her suitcase. “Let me help you with that.”

“Oh—"

“I’ve got it,”Clayton’s voice was warm but firm as he stepped beside Elle, placing his hand possessively on her lower back.

Elle stiffened as Clayton’s hand flexed against her back. Was he jealous?No.She shook off that thought.

“You must be Elle’s plus one. Malcolm Sloan.”

“Clayton Owens.” He took Malcom’s hand.“You’re Elle’s boss. Nice to meet you. She has spoken very highly of you.”

“We are very fond of her. Elle, when my assistant said you were bringing a plus one, I assumed it would be that delightful friend of yours, Dr. Andrews.” Malcolm had met Willa several times at various Sloan-Whitney events.

“Clayton lives in my hometown…Shorter flight for him than Willa. He offered to accompany me. It’s a short flight.”Did she just repeat herself? Why is she sputtering? “He’s a veterinarian. His sister is doing her residency here, so this is a good excuse for him to visit her.”Elle pulled at the end of her ponytail, using the smooth strands to ground her.

“Quite the opposite, I assure you. I used my sister as an excuse to escort Elle tonight.”Clayton assured, his calming fingers stroking her lower back.

Soothing warmth seeped through the blue silk blouse she wore.

“Smooth.”Malcolm winked at Clayton. “I should let you get to your room.Are you still good to meet soon, or do you need more time?” he asked, turning to Elle.

“No, I’m ready.I’m just going to run my bag up and I’ll be back,”Elle said.

“Perfect. We’ll be over there.”Malcolm pointed to a cluster of sofas to the far left of the reception desk surrounded by giant potted palms. “A vet, eh?Well, Doc you’ll be a hit at our table. I have two chocolate labs, Jack and Diane, and Dr. Holton and his husband have cats.”

They walked quietly to the elevator, Clayton carrying his duffle over his shoulder and pulling Elle’s luggage, despite her insistence she could take her own.

The downtown Boston hotel was fancy adjacent.White marble floors led to a bank of elevators. Their room was on the fourteenth floor. Elle’s black heels sunk into the sumptuous green carpet as she stepped into their room. The room had an old world meets new motif with throwback antique-looking furniture and minimalist wall decor.

“The room is nice.”Elle placed her laptop bag and purse on the bed as she surveyed the space.

Clayton deposited his duffle on the wingback chair tucked in the corner. The silence didn’t feel like the companionable one they could fall so easily into. A twinge of something festered in the unspoken between them.

Wringing her hands, she made idle small talk to fill the silence. “The Wi-Fi password is written on the key envelope. I’ll leave it on the table for you.They have room service if you want to order anything. Just charge it to the room. There is a pool and a gym.Braedon said there’s a park two blocks away if you’d prefer that. There’s also a restaurant.”

God, she was being inelegant about this.Like a stealthy emotional ninja, her self-doubt slunk in. All the sacrificesClayton had made in order to accompany her, and its rippling effect on others slammed into her like a bus.Elle suspected Clayton was thinking the same thing and asking himself “Why?” as he looked at her.

“You’re spinning a bit.”

“Sorry. I think it hit me when we got here…This was too much to ask of you,” she said.

“Elle.” Those eyes pinned her. “I need you to understand, I am here because I want to be here.”

“I’m being silly. You get to see Nat, this is great?—”

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