Page 86 of Dr. CEO (The Doctors)

I let her words sink in. “Yes, that makes sense,” I say. My heart starts to pick up pace, from a trot to a canter. “But it doesn’t change anything.”

“Unless he needs some kind of assurance you won’t abandon him.”

My heart breaks into a gallop. “Assurance. Like a guarantee? Or a pledge or something? How would that work? Even marriages can end in divorce. There are no guarantees in life.”

Her shoulders collapse and she sighs. “I know. I don’t know how you could convince him you won’t let him down.”

Is that what Vincent needs from me? Commitment? It always seemed he wanted the exact opposite—his freedom to wander. But maybe what he really craves is comfort and security.

“He left me before I could abandon him.” I say it out loud the instant the realization dawns.

“I think so.” Sutton doesn’t need to confirm it. It all slots into place.

My mind races through possibilities. I don’t know how I’ll convince him that I’m not going anywhere, but for the first time since he left, hope blooms in my chest.

THIRTY-SEVEN

Vincent

I arrive early for lunch with Jacob and Beau. I flew into London from Tucson overnight and despite my shower, the fog of the red-eye hasn’t left me. If I stayed in the hotel, I would have fallen asleep.

My phone buzzes with the arrival of an email. It’s the training plan from Olga, addressed to Michael. I’m only copied in and usually wouldn’t bother to open it, but there’s every chance this email holds some clue to how Kate is doing. I’ll take whatever scrap of news I can get.

I open the document and search for her name. Nothing comes up. Then I scan the document for heads of department. I find her new title in a section of the email about Service Experience, which sets out the plan for department heads to travel to London and stay at the Four Seasons—the hotel I’m currently staying at—tomorrow night.

Kate and I are going to be in the same hotel at the same time.

Adrenaline surges in my veins and then my stomach drops. How will she cope coming to London? She’ll be away from Crompton with no way of getting back quickly if she finds she can’t manage. A mixture of fear and protectiveness grow in me. I’m no good for her, but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped caring about her.

I need to do something to help.

Before I can take action, Jacob arrives. “Hey, you look terrible,” he says. “You’re getting older, can’t handle those red-eyes like you used to.”

I don’t even bother to stand. It’s not just the flight that has me tired. I haven’t been sleeping. Not properly. Not since I left the UK.

“Great to see you too,” I say. “Where’s Beau?”

Jacob tilts his head in the direction of the door. I glance around the restaurant and spot him talking to a waitress. Of course he is. He never met a woman he didn’t like.

“How was Arizona?” Jacob asks.

“Shit,” I reply.

“Not the answer I expected. But I’m not surprised. No doubt you started to enjoy yourself too much with Kate, decided you were getting attached, and split. Now you regret it?”

I swipe my hand through my hair. “Jesus, we’re doing the tough love thing already? I haven’t even ordered a drink yet.”

Just at that moment, the waitress approaches. Before I can say anything, Jacob orders three margaritas.

“Margaritas? We’re day drinking?”

“It’s my day off. Beau’s too. And you look like you need a drink or a good night’s sleep. I scanned the menu and of those two things, they only have drinks.”

Beau finally arrives at the table and slaps me on the back before taking a seat. “You look like shit. Anyone up for a beer?”

“Jacob just ordered us margaritas.”

Beau laughs. “Happy to go with that flow.”

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