Page 25 of Doc Hollywood

He frowned. “I thought doctors were paid well.”

She blushed and gazed at the floor, avoiding his eyes. She couldn’t believe she had managed to say that. She hadn’t let anyone know about the financial mess that Jack had left her with as she was too embarrassed.

That while he swanned off and married the daughter of a billionaire, she had nearly drowned under his debts. Actually, she should say her debts as, in hindsight, Jack had been very sneaky and made sure all the money was borrowed under her name. He came up with excuse after excuse about why she should borrow the money, and by the end of their relationship, she was too scared of him to say no.

“Clara?”

She didn’t realise she had been lost in thought until he spoke again. She cleared her throat a few times and shrugged. “Long story. Mountains of debt.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I—“

Clara cut him off before he could say anything else. “So, to summarise, I have to work a stack and no time for a dog. Although if I had one, I wouldn’t let him stay in the local hotel; he would probably get fleas.”

Taylor smirked. “The local hotel is not an option then?”

She shook her head. “Definitely not.”

She leaned forward and plucked the keys out of his hand.

“And you’re not going to let me drive?” He raised an eyebrow at her and the keys that she had slipped into her pocket so he couldn’t get to them easily.

“Nope.”

“And you think the solution is me stealing your bed and you sleeping on the sofa?” he said, peering at the lumpy, uncomfortable sofa.

“Yeah, ’cause you’re far taller than me, so you won’t fit on the sofa.” It seemed very logical to her.

“I’m not taking your bed.” Taylor folded his arms, and the flexing of his biceps distracted her.

Clara stared, her brain going blank before she remembered what she was trying to do. “You are. You can’t sleep on the sofa.”

“I’m not taking your bed.” Taylor tried to disagree with her.

“You can’t sleep on the sofa. You’re too tall.” She shook her head emphatically.

Taylor laughed. “This is going to be a very circular argument, isn’t it?”

“Yup. I’m sleeping on the sofa. You take my bed,” she said with finality.

Taylor opened his mouth to argue again, but Clara didn’t let him speak.

“I’m going to change the sheets and get a towel for you. You should grab some scrubs from the spare room to sleep in.”

She spun around and strode away from him before he could object.

“Clara,” he called after her.

“It’s settled. I’m not discussing it anymore.”

“Clara.” He dashed after her, catching her up in the doorway to her room and gently grabbing her arm. “I’m not taking your bed.”

Clara froze under his grip, and she couldn’t help it; her body began to tremble as she recalled all the times that Jack had taken hold of her in anger.

“Shit.” Taylor must have felt her stiffen as he dropped her arm immediately. “Are you okay?”

Clara stood silently, breathing deeply and reminding herself over and over again that it wasn’t Jack; he was long gone.

“Clara?” He spoke softly. Leaning forward, he reached towards her shoulder but pulled his hand back before he touched her.

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