Page 67 of Off the Wall

I must be out of my mind.

“It’s getting late.” Nori makes a move to stand.

“You don’t have to go,” I rush to say. “We haven’t even figured out a plan yet.” I just turned down a case to stay with her. I’m not ready for her to leave.

But this has to be her choice.

“There’s not much to figure out.” She sinks back down onto the couch. “Hayden’s out of town, and I left a message for Keeley, but I haven’t heard back from her.” Nori fumblesfor her phone. “Do you know Keeley? She lives downstairs. She’s great. Really great.”

“The brunette. With the nose ring?”

“That’s the one.”

“I’ve seen her around”—I’ve seen her with you—“but I don’t think we’ve met yet.”

“She’s probably out with her boyfriend, Andrew. He lives on this floor too, actually. I can just wait for her in the library. The chairs there are pretty comfortable. I won’t be alone long.” She shrugs, and my too-big sweatshirt slips off her shoulder.

“Stay here tonight.” The request slips out gruffer than I intended.

“With you?” She gulps.

“Yes.” My eyes lock with hers. “Your body just went through significant trauma. You could still be in shock. And … please.” I pause for a breath, my heart hammering in my chest. “I’d feel better knowing you’re safe. Besides. You’ll sleep better here than in a chair in the library. Or propped against your friend’s door waiting for her to get home.”

“But—”

“Iwantyou to stay.” The truth slips out before I can reel it back in. Nori’s gaze roams my face, so vulnerable. So trusting. My hand flexes with the urge to reach out and pull my sweatshirt back up over her bare shoulder. Man. All my protective instincts have kicked into overdrive. I’m wading into dangerous territory.

“Consider it a favor to me,” I plead. “For my peace of mind.”

Nori presses her lips together, and I can’t stop staring at every little move of her mouth. “I guess Idoowe you one,” she says. “So the least I could do is sleep on your couch.”

“Then it’s settled,” I say. “With one exception. I’ll take the couch. You get my bed.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Cash

I hopeNori’s having a more restful night than I am. Then again, she’s in a strange bed after an even stranger evening. One where we both shared some significant history with each other. So maybe she’s tossing and turning too. Or looking out the window admiring the stars.

Either way, she didn’t turn away a job opportunity tonight. And she didn’t follow up that choice by gifting the same opportunity to her direct competition.

Alex Linton owes me a bouquet of roses.

After killing myself for the past two months to prove I’m ready for the LA territory, I took a huge step backward tonight. And I told myself I did it for Nori. But the longer I lie here staring at the ceiling, the more I think a part of me wanted to feel in charge of my own life again.

I’ve spent the last four years at the beck and call of my job. And yes, the patients benefit from my work ethic, but my life and schedule are rarely my own. So taking control back and saying no felt good in the moment. Unfortunately, the consequences are creeping into my consciousness.

Or slamming their way in.

Jason’s going to lose his mind when he finds out I handed a Hahn case over to Vortex on a silver platter. Not only did I miss the opportunity to showcase one of our pedicle screw systems—and my service that goes along with it—but I literally told Dr. Hahn to call Alex. Telling Jason before he hears from somebody else is probably a smart move. Then again, on the off chance no one at Powell finds out, I’d be shooting myself in the foot.

Bottom line: I’m not regretting my decision to turn down the case.

But I’m notnotregretting it, either.

Instead of taking a beat to consider the aftermath, I did what I always do: I let the moment feel urgent and made a hasty choice based on the present only—past and future be damned.

Kind of like proposing to Daphne.

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