Page 33 of Mountain Freedom
Jackson shook his head in disgust. “I’m so sorry.”
I sighed, then did something that surprised even me. I smiled. “It’s okay,” I said, meaning it for the first time. “It’s odd. We were together all through residency, but I don’t miss him at all. He didn’t love me, and I know now that I didn’t love him.” The certainty of it felt like a gift.
“Well, good. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“After that,” I continued, “I decided I was just…tired of it all. Tired of the politics, the striving, the cutthroat environment. I wanted a fresh start somewhere quiet and peaceful. I started sending out my CV that night, and Dr. Stone called about this job shortly after.”
“As far as the other guy goes, is there anything I can do? Are you still thinking of filing a report?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I mean, it’s just my word against his. I don’t have proof of anything. He, on the other hand, has people willing to speak out against me because of what he can offer them in return.”
Jackson put his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together, resting his chin against his knuckles. His eyes were thoughtful. “He’s probably done this to other women. If we found others willing to speak out, we might be able to do something about it.”
I smiled softly. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For believing me. For wanting to help. For not saying I was stupid about the whole thing. Everyone seemed to think I should have just done it. Small price to pay for a career, right?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “No, it’s not.”
“Exactly. Not to me, anyway. But.” I smiled, surprising myself again. “Other than having a receptionist who hates me and an incompetent nurse, I’m starting to think it all worked out for the best.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I think I ended up exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Dinner wasfabulous in every way. My irrational annoyance at Luna aside—how was it possible for a woman to be so insanely beautiful? And why on earth did she have to like Jackson?—I had to admit, she knew what she was doing when it came to her restaurant. The meal would have easily stood up next to some of the best award-winning restaurants I had ever been to. And sharing the meal with Jackson made it even better. I felt so comfortable with him, and it was lovely to have someone to decompress with at the end of the day.
So when Luna swept over to our table in her long red dress—placing a hand on the back of Jackson’s chair—to ask how everything was, I told myself the reason I found it annoying wasn’t because I wanted a romantic relationship with him. It just reminded me of the reality that our friendship had an unknownend date. He was an attractive, popular man. Despite what he had told me, he wouldn’t stay single forever. Someday, some girl would convince him to give a relationship a try, and he’d be so in love with her that he would say yes.
And then our dinners would be over.
The thought nearly broke my heart. But it was just my personality, I assured myself. I was a woman of routine. I got into habits and then struggled with change. Dinner with Jackson had somehow already become a regular part of my new life, and of course it would be difficult when that routine had to change.
Difficult?my inner voice whispered, mocking me.Don’t you mean it will rip your heart out and shred it to pieces?
I sighed. It was true. I’d been attracted to him from day one, and we had gotten way too close. I was playing with fire. Maybe it would be better to end our dinners now, before I lost my heart completely.
No.I would not fall in love with him. We had an agreement.
And if the sight of Luna looking down at him with adoration in her eyes was making me crazy, it was only because it was rude of her to intrude on our date.
I mean, our conversation.
Okay, maybe I did need to take a step backward.
When Luna finally left and Jackson apologized, I did my best to be totally cool. “Don’t worry about it,” I said, waving him off. “Seriously, I can be your wingman. I’m good here with this fabulous meal. Do you want to be alone with her? It’s fine.”
“No,” he said, looking at me like I was crazy—which, admittedly, I was feeling. “I told you. There’s nothing whatsoever between us.”
“She’s gorgeous,” I said.
A funny grin spread over his face. “Maybeyou’rethe one who wants to go chase down Luna. Is there something you’re not telling me, Allison?”
“What? No!” I sat back, shocked, as he died laughing.
“I’m teasing you,” he said. “But seriously. Let’s drop it, okay? I’m not sure why she’s being so friendly tonight, but I’m not interested. Now, what were we talking about before she came over?”
