Page 131 of Hold Me Instead
“That sounds like a pretty big deal.”
Zachary put his hands on his hips. “This isn’t like Anna. I’m not making this decision, staying in town, with the practice, because of Charlie.”
“It’s definitely not like Anna,” Jordan said.
Zachary blew out a breath. “I just feel like I’ve been down this road before.”
“Look, you’re the only one who really knows how this is different from your relationship with your ex-wife. From my perspective? It’s very different. You’re completely yourself around her. From the little I’ve seen of you two together, you push each other. Also, I haven’t seen you smile that much in a really long time.”
“My mom said the same thing.”
“She must be freaking out, then. You guys have known each other for a long time, Z. Even with time apart, that’s not nothing.”
“I didn’t realize how much I missed her,” Zachary said. “Now that feeling won’t go away.”
“That sounds like something worth looking into.”
He nodded. “Yeah. Yeah. Okay, thanks.” He clapped his hands and hopped out of the room.
“Where are you going?”
“Got some work to do!”
“It’s like, two in the morning!” Jordan called.
Zachary stalled, looking at his phone.Huh. He was wide awake. “Love waits for no one!”
Jordan laughed. “Is this the kinda shit I’m gonna hear, now? You’re an idiot!”
Zachary grinned.
Didn’t mind being an idiot when he knew he was doing it for love.
Chapter 37
Charlie
“Whatdoyouthinkof our proposal?”
Charlie looked across the bistro table at Ned North as he sipped his coffee, his fleece bearing a small Neptune Corp logo. He’d seized the chance to meet at a café outside Elmwood Falls, willing to drive early on a Sunday at her request. It halved the chances of any familiar faces seeing her, though there was really only one who made a difference.
“A nice plan is in place,” she said. Their offer to her was generous, though she was hesitant to say as much. The images of the revamped veterinary clinic on the east side of town looked chic and modern, sure to draw lots of attention.
It chafed, the way money swooped in to transform. In the wrong hands, it was only a disguise—it eliminated any heart in the process.
She had to remind herself why she was here in the first place. What mattered was considering her options, finding what was best for her. If that meant moving to another clinic, then so be it. She was still her,thatwouldn’t change. She could bring all the heart she could wherever she went!
“Their schedule is filling up nicely,” Ned said. “The community is very pleased. A few other businesses have closed up shop, and this location is well-equipped to handle the overflow.”
“What do you mean, which businesses?”
“Well.” He shrugged. “There was another clinic not far from there. They shut their doors a couple months ago, so plenty of clients were looking for a new option.”
“East Town Veterinary?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. Daniel knew the owner—they’d opened their practices around the same time and bonded through the process. He was a lifer. She wondered if Daniel even knew what had happened.
“Yeah.” He waved away the name. “Owner was ready to retire. Worked out great. We were hoping the same would go for your boss, but no such luck...yet. Maybe in a few years.” He laughed.
She blinked at the reminder that Neptune had made Daniel an offer.
