Page 11 of Safe With Me

“What? You still love me?”

She waited a long time to answer, but finally said, “I do, Paxton. I still love you.”

He leveled her with a sharp gaze that used to make interns quiver in their sneakers. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me right now?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re bringing back the dark cloud. One I barely managed to escape. Get out of here.” He’d raised his voice.

She stood. “Then I’ll file a discrimination suit against this place for denial of an interview. Prejudice based on sex.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“I would. I want to work here.”

“Why? Penance?”

“Maybe.”

“Damn it, Reenie, can’t you just leave me alone?”

“Apparently not.”

He hadn’t expected this. He had no idea what to do. Was he going to be forced to let her work here? He had to admit, candidates who’d interviewed for the job were either inept or dropped out themselves after they saw the place. “Give me some time to think about it. For right now, please leave. I’ll be in touch.”

* * *

At the pet store, Stephanie gathered the list of dog things Pax had given her and added a few more items she thought he might need. She paid with his credit card, then dragged the bags to her little SUV with the help of a clerk. As she drove back to the clinic, she was whistling.

She found parking on the street right behind a sleek Lexus. What was that doing in the inner city of Westwood? She managed to carry only half of the packages up to the clinic and open the door.

And overheard…

“Give me some time to think about it. For right now, please leave. I’ll be in touch.”

Still holding the bags, Stephanie stood there awkwardly. Both their gazes transferred to her. “I’ll bring these to the office.”

Neither the gorgeous woman dressed to the hilt or Pax responded so she flew across the room to the office and closed the door. The dog awoke and watched her. She dumped the bags and said, “Hey, there, doggie.” She bent down and ruffled his coat. Hmm. He smelled like Pax.

“I got some things in here you’ll like.” She pulled out the treats first, opened the bag and fed one to him. He devoured it. She got the harness and leash and slipped on both. “Let’s go do your business.” She went out the back. She had to jog because he leapt over to the patch where he’d gone this morning to pee. The grass was wet so they headed back in. Steph wondered what Pax’s relationship was with the beautiful woman.

And found him in the office going through the bags. “Hey, hi. Was the store out of the rest?”

“There’s more in my trunk. I planned on making two trips but…”

“I’ll get them.”

She handed him her keys and when he left, she took off Mutt’s leash but kept on the blue harness. He settled back on the blanket. Pax came inside and set down the rest of the packages. “Thanks.”

She smiled.

“About what happened out there.” He angled his head to the waiting room.

“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Pax.”

“The woman who came was an old friend. A doctor. She said she wanted the parttime job.”

Stephanie grinned. “That’s great.” At his forlorn expression, she added, “Isn’t it?”

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