Page 78 of Off the Wall

“Wow. I guess I should’ve trusted you.” He pushes out achuckle. “I feel like a jerk now, getting all worked up about the numbers for a minute.”

“Not even close.” I offer him a half smile as reassurance. “I learned from the best, top down. You’re one of the reasons I’m where I am today. Not just with Powell, but in life. You care about people. I know that firsthand.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Jason offers me a healthy dose of side-eye. “You don’t have to kiss the ring anymore. You know I’ve got your back, Cash. I just want to be sure you still have mine.”

“Always,” I say.

“The thing is, if you’re going to make it in an LA territory, you might have to be a little more … cutthroat.”

“Thanks for the warning.” I cock a brow. “Is this your way of saying the West Coast reps don’t care about patient outcomes?”

“Donotquote me on that.” He runs a hand over his scalp. “But seriously. Before I stick my neck out, I need to know you’re up for the challenge. I can’t recommend you to someone like—let’s say Brad Mossler—and have you turning down cases to hang at the beach and slobber all over the first blue-eyed blonde who bats her eyelashes at you.”

“Not gonna happen,” I insist. And I couldn’t mean the words more. The only woman I’ve cared about in years wants to buy a tea shop and settle in Serendipity Springs forever. That’s why she committed to this dating app campaign in the first place. So she’s basically off-limits in every way. Contractually. Geographically. Financially.

Which meansI’moff-limits emotionally.

Besides. Nori Sinclair is not a blue-eyed blonde. She’s a brunette. With hazel eyes and?—

“You say that now.” Jason’s snort busts into my train of thought. “But every girl who’s walked into this place since you showed up has checked you out. And that kind of attention ishard to ignore, Cash. Especially after so many years off the market.”

I wave his comment away, wishing I had some coffee to stir sugar into just to distract myself from the heat creeping up my throat. “Anyway, Brad Mossler manages the Cedars’ territory, yeah?”

“Smooth subject change, man.” Jason smirks. “But yes, he’s got Cedars. Plus UCLA and Children’s Hospital. There’s a lot of competition out there. Sets are more expensive. Every screw has a higher price tag. So the cases bill out at a bigger total, which means increased commissions. Everyone wants a piece of that action. Of course, the cost of living is off the charts, too. You’ve gotta grind to afford LA.”

“I’m prepared to grind,” I say. “But forget me working for Brad Mossler. If you went after a manager position out there, we could?—”

Jason throws up a hand. “Let me stop you right there.”

“Come on, man. A manager’s only as successful as his reps. If I’m going to dominate any territory, I want you to benefit too.”

“Like I’ve told you before, I’m a Central Mass guy. My family’s here. My friends. I’m perfectly happy where I am.”

“Heh. Who’s got time for family and friends?”

“Seriously, though.” The crease in Jason’s forehead softens. “I don’t need anything more than what I’ve already got.” He grabs another sugar packet to dump into what’s left of his coffee. “Besides. Change is not my friend. Full disclosure—I hate the thought of losing you, but I’m willing to sacrificemyown well-being if that’s what you want.” He presses a palm to his chest and does a little chair bow. “I’m a giver like that.”

I choke out a laugh. “Not to mention humble.”

“I only speak the truth.” His mouth slips into a smirk. “Anyway, I just wanted to be sure your goals are still the same.”

“They are.”

“I believe you.” He picks at the top of his muffin, breaking off a chunk of bran and raisin. “Three years ago, you were the hungriest rep I’d ever hired. And you had your sights set on LA from the beginning.”

I draw down my brow. “You think that’s changed?”

He shrugs. “Word gets around the OR. Doctors and PAs talk. And let’s just say the staff at Springs Memorial has their ears on alert at all times. Mercy General’s even worse. More than one person’s mentioned that your focus could be shifting. Not in a bad way. Just … that something else might be on your mind these days.”

My chest goes tight. Who would be talking about me? Maybe Dr. Hanson told someone about us running into Nori at Vincenzo’s. Or Sandra could’ve gossiped about me living at the famous magical love building. Either way, something shifts in my chest, and I find myself wanting a lavender latte with a smiley face in the center. Two seconds later, I’m picturing Nori Sinclair in a bridesmaid’s dress.

I shake my head.

This needs to stop.

Nori is not the solution to my problem, no matter how much I might want her to be. If anything, she complicates my situation. I need to be realistic. Our goals don’t match.

“Listen, Jason, I have no idea who’d be interested in my personal life,” I insist, “but I can promise you I’m as determined as ever to make this move.”

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