Page 52 of Embrace
Before I entered my first meeting of the day, Jasper texted me, asking Bryn and me to meet him at the family mansion in the Garden District for lunch and a meeting at noon. He said he wanted to lay it all out on the table—no more secrets, no more ghosts.
I’ll see you at noon, I texted back.
As a man in love with the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, I agreed with Jasper. All the shit that could destroy our family had to be immediately dealt with.
Chapter Fourteen
Penina Ross
It was odd how quickly the chief had tried to shuffle us out of the hospital. Earlier, when I arrived on the eighth floor, he was in the hallway with Samantha Gladstone, head of communications and community outreach. They stopped their conversation to look at me. Before I could join them, she said thank you to him without giving me a second look then spun on her heel and walked away. I wasn’t offended by her lack of manners. Samantha was snooty and barely spoke to anyone. I always wondered how someone so cold and unlikable could be in charge of the hospital’s image and outreach.
Regardless, the chief handed me my contract for the fellowship and asked me to sign while we were standing there.
“I never sign anything without reading it thoroughly,” I said.
“What? You don’t trust us?” he asked, giving me his charming smile.
I looked off in the direction Samantha had walked. “What were you and Sam Gladstone talking about?”
He pressed his lips together, eyeing me keenly. The way he looked at me made me nervous. I felt out of line, questioning him about what was more than likely a private matter that didn’t involve me. I didn’t want him to think that since I was in the bed and heart of the head honcho, I’d become too big for my britches.
I shook my head. “Forget about it.”
“Samantha has hired Julia Valentine as her new PR director.”
Nearly choking with shock, I took a step back. “Julia Valentine?” I heard myself say her name, but I was so detached from my body that I wasn’t quite sure the voice was mine.
“Yes. But don’t worry. You won’t run into her today, and count Greg Carroll as your last patient before you take sabbatical.”
“Sabbatical?” I asked, still dazed by the previous revelation about Julia.
The chief put a hand on by back, guiding me toward room 809. “I wasn’t able to procure the sort of discretion Mr. Carroll requested at this facility, anyway—especially with what’s going on with Asher and the Christmases. But I was able to call in a favor at East Lake. You know where that is, don’t you?”
I nodded.
“A team will be waiting for you when you arrive. I called down to the motor pool. Take one of the hospital vehicles. Any questions?”
I was still stuck on Julia being employed by the hospital. “Does Asher know Julia works here?”
“I’m not sure, but he will soon. But hear me well—” He put a hand on my other shoulder, garnering steady eye contact. “Don’t worry about Julia Valentine.” He checked over both shoulders. “The Christmases will foil whatever she’s planned.”
I gasped, eyes bulging. “She’s planning something?” My voice was so small.
“Julia Valentine always has a plan. But as I said, you have nothing to worry about.” He nodded, smiling. “Today could be your last day, Dr. Ross. That’s good news, is it not?”
“I guess so.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “All I have to do is figure out what’s wrong with Greg Carroll and then I’m free?”
Chief Brown handed me the order for Greg’s services, which included my point of contact. “Then you’re free. Good luck,” he said and walked off.
I watched him until he turned the corner. Suddenly, the fact that I was one patient away from sabbatical struck me. Soon, I would be able to sleep in and make love to Asher without having to worry about my shift the next morning. No more night calls either. The only reason I’d come in at night was if I was needed for surgery. Soon, I would be free, which was why I was smiling from ear to ear when I opened the door.
Greg, who was standing in front of the window, twisted around to face me.
“There you are,” he said then frowned. “Your hair’s wet. Did you take a shower?”
My mouth fell open, then I closed it as I touched my head.Fuck, the chief must’ve noticed too.No wonder everyone was staring at Asher and me. We looked like we’d just showered, and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to guess we had taken one together.
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