Page 37 of The Confidentiality Clause
He looks like he wants to argue with me, but he doesn’t.
“That sounds good. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will. Thanks again.”
He shoots one last smile over his shoulder on his way out. I find myself mirroring the expression as I wash off all the dirt and grime. Maybe things between us aren’t so bad after all.
Chapter seventeen
Ariel Cambridge
The scent of acetone makes me wrinkle my nose as I soak a cotton pad with nail polish remover.
“I have exciting news,” Sutton says, her smile filling up my phone screen.
Lately we’ve waited longer in between nail polish chats, but after I set a date with Cohen for next weekend, I thought we could use one now. So I told Brock not to bother me and then locked myself in my room at the cabin.
“Me too!” I reply. “What’s yours?”
“We’re coming to visit this week,” she squeals.
My smile grows. “Seriously? I didn’t know if you’d be able to with preseason coming up.”
“We managed to squeeze a few days from the schedule. I miss you, and Shaw and I both want to check on Brock.”
My smile dims a touch. There’s that fun best friend guilt rearing its head. If Brock wasn’t making progress, I’d tell hereverything right now, but he’s taken time to cook with me, to sit in the hot tub, and earlier today, he went on the balcony for a few minutes without his phone. It’s not much–and I had to abduct him to make it happen–but it’s enough to keep me quiet. I don’t want to ruin things by breaking his trust.
“That sounds good. Have you told him you’re coming?” I focus on scrubbing the old polish off my nails.
“I called him earlier, but he didn’t answer, so I texted him. I’m sure he’ll text back later, saying he’s got a busy week but will try to get lunch with me.” I glance up and catch her rolling her eyes. “If he thinks I won’t come and disrupt his entire day, he’s mistaken.”
I laugh at her headstrong attitude. “I’m sure he’ll carve out time once you’re here.”
I’ll make sure of it.
“He’d better. We’re supposed to have family dinner–you’re invited, obviously–and if he doesn’t show up, I’m going to cause a scene. I talked to Mom last week, and she was almost in tears over how little he comes by anymore. He lives not even thirty minutes from them. No one is so busy that they can’t see their parents.”
I duck my head to hide a wince. If spending time with Brock has taught me anything, it’s that he is busy. It’s his choice, but still. Sutton seems to think he’s blowing the family off for other reasons, but Brock is drowning in work.
“Anyways, enough about my ridiculous brother,” Sutton says with a sigh. “Tell me about your cute doctor guy, since I’m assuming that’s what your news is about.”
I smile, happy to change the subject. Anything to distract me from the guilt that eats me up every time I think about it too long.
“We’re going on a date next weekend,” I tell her.
“Oooo, where to?” Sutton asks as she starts to swipe white nail polish on her thumb.
“We’re going out to dinner at Sakura.”
Sutton’s eyebrows lift in approval. “That’s a nice restaurant.”
I nod. “He suggested it, and said for our second date, we can go for a run and get breakfast after.”
“Already planning the second date, that’s bold.” She gives me a pointed look. “It’s clear he likes you, but how do you feel abouthim?”
“I can’t say he’sthe one. The dating scene has been too rough lately for me to be that optimistic, but…” I bite my lip. “He’s sweet and funny, too. He’s got a good job, of course, and takes care of his health. He wants everything that I want for the future. If this date goes well, I could see a future with someone like him.”
“Do you have chemistry?”
