Page 54 of Hold Me Instead
“No.” Her answer was immediate.
“Trying to drive me out of here, Harris?” He struggled to keep his tone light, despite the tension coiling in his chest. Business politics aside, he wanted her towanthim here.
“Your family is thrilled you’re home. Not to mention the clients.”
“Not you, though.” He set his burger down and pressed close, lowering his voice, the aged pain resurfacing. “You just want me out of the way. Get the practice to yourself. A little sooner than you were expecting, sure, but why waste time? Right?”
“What are you even talking about? I’m not the one sitting around making lists of things to fix as soon as Daniel’s gone.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Youshouldbe. Sign of someone who knows how to run things.”
She gasped.
He swallowed hard, but continued. “What made you look through my things? Didn’t trust me to not make more mistakes?”
Her face flushed as she appeared to calculate his words.
“Charlotte, I thought that was you! Goodness it’s been a while. How are you, dear?” A woman swarmed their table and wrapped Charlie in an uninvited hug, stepping back to barely leave a foot of space.
Charlie’s eyes widened, her cheeks still burned red, and her fingertips were white against the table. She stared at the woman in front of her, most likely in her late fifties, with her chic coat and tight bob of gray hair.
It took an extra moment, but Charlie softened her eyes slightly and forced a tight smile. “Hi, Mrs. Hampshire. Now isn’t the b—”
“Oh, you know you can call me Loretta, Charlotte. We’re long past the Mrs. Hampshire days. I’m doing very well. Here for a little night out with my sister, you remember Gloria? We aresoexcited for the holidays. You know Bobby’s little one is two this year? What a sweetheart she is, my word. Let me show you.” She whipped out her phone as quickly as the words were out, swiping the screen until she was satisfied enough to shove it in Charlie’s face.
“Adorable,” Charlie said with barely a glance, her voice quiet. “Lore—”
“Isn’t she? She is the absolutecutest, but I’m biased, I suppose. She went as a little cupcake for Halloween, I just died when I saw the costume. Here, you have to see it. We joined them for their little trick or treat this year, what a delight.”
“Sounds wonderful. Loretta, if you don’t mind…”
“Oh! I hope I’m not interrupting a date?” She placed her hand on her chest, various rings sparkling in the dim light of the restaurant as sheturned her body toward Zachary. Even without knowing her, he knew she’d been aware of his presence. “Though I suppose you wouldn’t be in your work scrubs for a date now, would you?” Her laughter singed the air as she tapped a hand to Charlie’s shoulder.
Charlie clenched her jaw. “Loretta Hampshire, this is Zachary Lee.”
“Hello, what a pleasure. Of the Lee family, from Charlotte’s clinic?”
“Yes.” It was all Zachary felt was necessary, since this woman knew everything anyway.
“I see. I’m so sorry to interrupt yourworkmeeting. What a lovely place you have, Dr. Lee. I remember the stories Charlotte shared when she and my son were dating.”
Ah, that’s why the nameBobbystood out. He remembered hearing about him when they worked together, a layer to the guy that sounded exactly the opposite of what he pictured for Charlie. He’d even met Bobby briefly when he came by to pick her up after a shift, and one handshake was all it took to solidify that gut feeling.
He saw a bit of where he got it from.
“Have a good rest of your night, Loretta,” Charlie managed.
“We will! I’ll make sure to tell Bobby you say hello.”
“No need,” Charlie said, voice firm.
Loretta blinked rapidly, mouth falling open with a silent gasp. With a nod his way and a final glance at Charlie, Loretta Hampshire zipped toward the front of the restaurant.
Zachary waited, watching Charlie’s face as she looked everywhere but at him. Her pinched expression didn’t lessen, despite the distance between her and Loretta.
“Could I get a to-go box? Thanks.” Charlie caught the waitress on her way by, then busied herself with scooting her fries together, as ifthat’d help save time when the box arrived. “I need to go. It’s been a hectic…God, only a couple weeks, but it sure feels like a month. Anyway, lots of prep to do yet for the cookout.”
“Charlie—”
