Page 88 of Doc Hollywood

Clara clenched her fists as the waves of jealousy washed over her.‘That’s good.’

‘Yeah. She’s surprisingly good company.’

Clara’s fists clenched tighter. This was what she had been afraid of; she was just a novelty to a man who had so many options. It was time to pack her heart back into the box that kept it safe and not let it get broken again.

Flopping back on the bed, she tried, she tried so hard. But every time she nearly had the lid closed, another nice memory with Taylor pushed its way out until she gave up and went for a run, leaving her phone behind.

When she got back to her hotel, a parcel was waiting for her at the front desk. Clara assumed it must be another present from Damien and Louisa; however, when she opened it, she found that the note wasn’t from them; it was from Taylor.

‘I saw this and thought you might like it. Taylor.’

Examining the stunning blue handbag that was in the package, she felt the box that held her heart, that she was trying so hard to close spring back open again.

It wasn’t a designer bag, but it was absolutely perfect for her. With a place to put her laptop, a section with a removable cool brick to keep her food, and a pocket to keep all the crap she seemed to always carry around. It was exactly the bag she would have chosen for herself.

“Oh crap.” She snatched her phone up off the bed and sent Taylor a message.

‘Thanks, it’s perfect. You didn’t have to.’

His reply was immediate.‘I know I didn’t have to. I saw it and knew you needed it.’

And with his message, the box was not only open; it was burnt to the ground.

She put her head down and avoided him for the rest of the shoot, reminding herself that soon she would be home and back to reality, and she wouldn’t see Taylor again. She knew his interest in her would soon wane, and she would have to accept that and move on with her life.

CHAPTER 24

When Clara arrived home, she launched straight back into her normal work routine. Despite using her time away to sleep as much as she could, the emotional roller coaster she had been on, seeing Taylor every day with Devon hanging off his arm, had left her more exhausted than ever.

Standing on her doorstep, tiredness dragged down on her, and it took her a moment to notice the huge bouquet sitting there. Her heart skipped a beat, and she leaned over, grabbing the card. Her pulse slowed when she saw they were from Damien and Louisa, thanking her again.

Picking them up, she took them into the house and stood there wondering what to do with them. She didn’t have a vase, so she put them in the sink and added a vase to her shopping list.

Quickly snapping a picture, she sent it to Damien, thanking them both. She was surprised when she got an immediate response.

‘Louisa wants to know if they’re in the sink because you don’t have a vase.’

Grinning, she replied,‘Yes. I’m getting one tomorrow. Until then, they’ll have to live in the sink.’

‘Louisa says… Hang on. I’m sending Louisa your number, and she can contact you directly.’

Another message popped up on her phone.‘Louisa here. What’s your style? I’ll send you a vase tomorrow.’

Clara gaped in surprise. They wanted to send her a vase, too.‘That’s kind of you, but I’ll get one tomorrow.’

‘No. I won’t hear of it. I’m an interior designer. I love picking out things for people. Just send me a photo of your living area, and I’ll choose the perfect vase.’

Clara looked dubiously around her small living room, with its shabby furniture and distinct lack of anything she could describe as ‘homey’ touches. She wondered if she should decline, knowing Louisa would be more used to grander homes. But in the end, she took a photo, sent it, and waited for the reply.

‘Perfect. I have three choices in mind. I’ll send you through pictures now.’

Clara had already decided to ask for the cheapest one, but when the three pictures arrived, each one had been cropped to exclude the price. She looked at them carefully and finally selected the least ostentatious one, replying to Louisa and thanking her profusely.

It was then that a message from Taylor arrived.

‘Hi. How was work? We only have two more weeks of shooting this movie!’

‘Work was the usual. How long before you start the press tour for Below Zero?’Clara asked.

---