"No, thank you. I'm going to log in early and make everyone really uncomfortable that I beat them there." I sit down and place the crutches out of sight. No point in raising questions about things they don't need to know.
"So, you’re one of those bosses," he says with a hint of a joke, but I can tell he also means it.
"Kind of. Sometimes, they still don't take me seriously. They think the job was handed to me, and they would have been a better choice. It's a family company, and it was never going to anyone else. So, I like to keep them on their toes."
"What's this meeting for?" he asks as I log into the back end of our meeting system.
"My mom and dad are in New York City, and they had a meeting with a company we are trying to acquire. I guess it went well. My dad texted last night to let me know they were going out to a play and dinner to celebrate. Now, he's going to fill us in and we decide the next steps. Also, they’re going to want an update on WJ’s." I say with a slight amount of defeat. I have no idea what I’ll tell them.
"Tell them the truth. Would it be so bad?" Brice says, replying to the last part which I guess I said out loud.
"That I'm stuck here because I chose to wear heels? That I fell, twisted my ankle, hit my head, and still didn't get the deal? Yeah."
"I see your point. Tell them you have something in the works but don't want to jinx it and you’ll tell them more soon."
"Okay, I don't look sick or injured, right? Because if I do, my dad will be pounding down your door in twelve hours flat."
Brice looks at me, giving me a thorough once over. His eyes soften before he speaks. "You look beautiful."
Damn. Why do those three words make my heart race? People tell me that all the time, but it's different hearing those words from him. It’s the way he says them with his deep Texan drawl and soft, ice blue eyes which let me know he means it. Or maybe, it's that he means it and is saying it to get something from me.
"Thank you," I mumble and hit the button to log in.
My dad's face fills the screen."Sweetheart, I knew you'd be on early."
"Hey, Dad. You look like you didn't get much sleep."
"Of course not. It's the city that never sleeps."
"The city might not, but you need to, Dad."
"I told him that, but he doesn't listen," my mom calls from the background before she appears over my father's shoulder."But, really, how are you? Where are you staying? When will you be home?" Mom peppers me with questions in the way only a concerned mother can.
"I'm fine. I'm staying at the local doctor’s house. And I'm not sure when I’ll be home. A few more days, maybe."
"Tell me about this doctor. What degree does he have? He isn't some small town cowboy playing doctor, right?" Dad asks.
"Dad!" I say, meeting Brice's eyes over the computer. "He’s sitting right here."
“Then I want to meet him," Dad says with authority.
"I'm sorry,” I say to Brice, but he stands up and joins me on the computer screen.
"Hello sir," he says.
My dad sits back in his chair and stares at him. "You’re a little young to be a doctor.”
"Went to Harvard Medical School. I knew from a young age I wanted to be a doctor, so I started taking college classes in high school. My mom insisted I graduate high school with my class for a sense of normalcy, but I graduated with an Associate’s Degree. Took summer classes and finished medical school several years early. I had offers for a few jobs in places like New York City, but I only ever wanted to come home and take over my father's practice here in Rock Springs. So that's what I did."
"And your diagnosis regarding my daughter?"
"A mild concussion. With a bit more rest and no more bumps to the head, she’ll be good to go in a few days. Her ankle is sprained, and she’s using crutches. But she won't be in those high heels for a while, and assuming she doesn't try to use them too soon, she’ll be okay. The swelling is almost gone this morning, so that’s a good sign."
"Well, we appreciate you letting her stay with you. Any extra costs, you let me know and I’ll take care of it."
When Dad says that, I bury my face in my hands and groan."Dad, I can pay my medical bills."
"I know, but I'm your father and you’re my only child. I’ll always take care of you. Now let's get into business mode before these other yahoos show up."