Page 132 of Hold Me Instead
“What that means for you though is that you’d be in charge of a solid team, overseeing a large clientele that we anticipate will grow exponentially over the next few years. Numerous partnerships are already in place, and the outlook for expanding the technology is huge. All we’re missing is a strong leader who will win over everyone.”
He grinned at what he surely thought was a compliment. Charlie, however, noticed her body coiled tighter the more he spoke.
She released a slow breath. “You have to understand. I know thisisa business, but it’s about more than that to me. I chose this career because I love it, and what has been most amazing is that I’ve fallen in love with all my patients, the community, my team. What I have at EFVH is family. That’s not easily replicated.Thatcan’t be bought.”
Ned leaned forward. “Or is it that wherever you go, family will find you?”
***
A tap on Charlie’s shoulder made her shriek, sudsy water flinging from her hands onto the cat clock above the kitchen sink. Amber jumped back, hands out.
“Sorry!” she shouted. “You couldn’t hear me over the music!”
“You scared the shit out of me!” Charlie yelled.
“Where the hell is your phone?”
“It’s on the—” Charlie broke off when silence filled the air, Amber locating the phone on the counter and pausing the music.
Her cousin flicked her eyes at her. “Playing a concert for the whole neighborhood?”
Charlie returned to scrubbing. “You’re channeling my mom.”
“Levi was banging his head against the wall of the alcove when I arrived. I’m surprised he didn’t knock a hole through to your side. Said he couldn’t take the pop tunes anymore.”
Charlie snorted. “He secretly loves pop.”
“You may have ruined it for him.”
She scrubbed harder at the Pyrex, muttering under her breath.
“What are you doing?”
“Dishes.”
“Are you trying to wear through the glass? Turn it back to sand?”
Charlie stopped and huffed a sigh. “Did you just come over to antagonize me?”
Amber pointed to a grocery bag on the kitchen table. “Our New Year’s Eve bash. Remember?” She slipped on a pair of plastic glasses and pressed a button to set the frames flashing. “It’s gonna be a rager here at Chez Charlie.”
Charlie returned to the sink.
“You do remember us talking about it, don’t you? Magnolia and Cleo are coming…”
“Sure.” She didn’t remember. The last few days had been exhausting enough, dancing around to avoid contact with Zachary while she processed what to do with her life. No one knew about her meeting with Ned. Talking with her cousin on the phone earlier in the week was vaguely familiar, but all Charlie recalled was uttering random sounds of agreement. To something. Apparently, it had to do with hosting New Year’s Eve, one of her least favorite holidays.
This year was no exception.
“Is that why your hair is a tangled mess? I see you busted out your sexy high school sweatpants that have lost all elasticity in the waist. Real hot.”
“Aren’t we going comfy?” Charlie said, in an effort to appear prepared and uncaring.
Amber laughed, her perfect bangs highlighting perfect eyeliner in her perfect oversized maroon sweater. Paired with leggings and cozy wool socks, she was the picture of winter comfort.
Charlie was a wreck, in a faded T-shirt that hid how far her gray sweatpants had fallen.
“Okay, hun, I think this dish is clean.” Amber pulled it from her hands. “Why don’t you go freshen up? The ladies will be here in a little bit, and we’ll get you nice and drunk. Then you can tell us what’s going on.”
