Page 52 of The Refiner

“You need to handle that,” I suggest, hoping to redirect his attention to someone other than me.

Astor leans down to my ear and drops my shirt, seeming to agree, but then he says, “Do not attempt to walk out of this house because I will chase you.”

“Are you threatening me?”

I narrow my eyes to slits, just as he fingers a lock of hair before moving it off my shoulder. “I’m promising that we’ll put on a show for the entire neighborhood if you disobey me.”

Oh hell no. “I’m not your daughter. You don’t tell me what to do.” I don’t know what happened in that shower he took earlier, but clearly the hot water washed away some brain cells.Disobey me… Have you ever? This man is delirious.

I lift my gaze and find him staring right at me, his jaw hardened, but what concerns me is his smile. A smile that I haven’t seen on him before. A smile that screams danger. “Then run. Let’s see who prevails.”

Then run. Those two words manage to send shivers throughout my body.

I cannot with this man. “Crazy is not a good look for you, Dr. Potter. I suggest you tame that before you remain a bachelor forever.”

What am I supposed to do with that statement? Test him? He seems quite serious that he has no problem looking foolish by chasing me through the neighborhood. And while I’m never one to back down from a challenge, I’m not in the mood to end up on the news and mortify Tatum when footage shows up years later of me and her father weaving through the bushes of million-dollar mansions while screaming profanities at each other.

I’m not saying Iwon’tact crazy—especially if Astor keeps up his bossiness. I’m just saying I’m not in the mood right now.

So, I’ll let this one slide.

We’re both tired, and Astor is likely suffering from PTSD after the poo incident this morning.

“Go,” I shoo him away, “and handle your brothers. I’m ready to get this day over with.” I refuse to acknowledge the smug victory smile he shoots me before tipping his chin and walking away from me and toward his brothers.

Fucker. Just when I think he might not be so awful.

“It’s good to see him smiling again.”

I glance beside me and find Halle, the freaking ninja assistant, next to me. “Yeah, well, my client list is exclusive. My mission statement has always been to return surly surgeons back to their former charming selves. You can expect him back at the office very soon.”

I can never just deal with uncomfortable situations in a normal manner. I always need to crack a joke, but Halle laughs more than she should at my lameness.

“Oh, you sweet girl.”

Halle definitely doesn’t know me well if she thinks I’m sweet.

“I remember those days of denial like it was yesterday.” She leans in closer. “A lot can change in three months.”

“Three months?” What is she talking about?

Her eyes widen. “You didn’t hear?”

Apparently not.

I shake my head.

“Dr. Astor isn’t returning to the office for another three months. He’s taking paternity leave.”

Oh, whew. “Good for him.” My sister would be proud that he’s staying home for an entire three months to be with his daughter.

Halle nods like she knows something I don’t. “You both need the time to heal.”

“Oh, I’m not staying,” I correct her. “I don’t have that much leave. After I settle my sister’s estate, I’ll be heading back home.”

Her face falls, which is concerning.

Did she think I was staying with Astor? Did he make it seem like we were taking this leave together? Surely not.

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