Nick cocked his head. “Have you been to counseling?”
“Yeah, after I made my first million and still wasn’t happy. I was in a gang when I was a teen. I did horrible things. Had horrible things done to me. I never dealt with it until I got help. I doubt I could ever have fallen in love if I hadn’t.”
“Wow. That’s a lot.”
“Yeah. You know, you and I have worked together for a long time and never talked about these things.”
“I’ve closed everybody off.” But Noreen snuck in. “I’m glad we’re having this conversation.”
“Me too. And if you ever have a bad time you can’t get through alone, call me. And think about a counselor.”
“Thanks, Jackson. I will.”
* * *
Noreen was in a much better place as she drove back to Westwood. Her mother always did that for her. She was so lucky to have the woman in her life. Noreen didn’t think she could ever be there for a child as Eve had been for her. Her hand went to her stomach. Too bad.
Luckily, the roads were clear so she drove steadily and reached Westwood in thirty minutes. She checked her watch. Maybe she’d go to the clinic. See if they were busy and needed help. Paxton had hired a replacement doctor full time and while he was away on his honeymoon, the man had filled in. But sometimes the adjustment of someone new was slow. He might need help. She didn’t want to talk to Nick but if he came by, she would at least have some cover there. But he probably wouldn’t try to find her. She’d checked her phone and he hadn’t called after the wild night they’d had. She’d been absurdly disappointed. Which was stupid!
She walked into the clinic and saw the waiting room was full. The security guard, Tom, nodded to her and she crossed to the reception desk. “Lots of people today,” she said to Jon.
“We’re crushed. Any chance you can stay?”
“Yes, I can.” It would get her mind off Nick. “Let me change into scrubs and I’ll buzz you when I’m ready. I’ll tell the new guy I’m helping out.”
The day zipped by. She saw a patient with a bad cough, a woman who had a huge hematoma on her side—she sent her to the hospital. Two little kids with bronchitis. And a nearby store owner who’d cut his arm on broken glass and had run over to the clinic bleeding.
By six, they’d treated everybody. Noreen was the last to finish up and was in the office with the door open, when the bell overthe front rang, indicating someone had come in. Damn, hadn’t Jon closed up?”
Raking her hair back, she walked into the front area. And saw Nick standing out front.
* * *
Nervous, Nick had decided they needed to talk so he didn’t carry around this anxiety for days. And, to be honest, he wanted to see her. So he was glad when she opened the door. “Hello, Nick.”
“Hello, Noreen.” He looked past her. “Are you here all alone?”
“Everyone inside left but the guard is out front.”
“Out front?” He scowled. “How would you contact him if something happened in here?”
“All employees have the car on speed dial. It’s only for the times the security guard inside isn’t here. I don’t think we’ve used the number so far.”
“Why are you working anyway?” he asked.
“There’s a new doctor filling for Pax and they got busier than he could handle. When we closed, I sent everybody home and was finishing up paperwork.”
“Will you come with me somewhere to talk?”
Conflicting emotions crossed her face. One was desire. She wanted to go with him.
But she straightened her shoulders. “No. If you want to talk, we’ll do it in the office.”
“I—”
She preempted him by heading to the office. He followed. She turned to face him. Damn, he wanted to kiss that remote look off her face. So he walked further inside. And reached for her. “Don’t,” she said stepping back.
“Why?”
