“Okay.” I step by her, going to the bathroom. I linger there a little before coming back out.
“How is everything? Are you fitting in?” Rachel asks when I walk past her desk.
“I think so.” I don’t really see anyone else to try and fit in with.
“I wanted to give you a heads up. I overheard Jack talking about asking for your number.”
“Really?” I scrunch my nose.
“I take that as a no for you.” She laughs. “I think I like you even more. He’s a charmer and most of the girls fall for him.”
“No worries there,” I promise.
“Well, so it’s not awkward remind Jack about the rules if he does come a knocking.”
“Right.” My stomach tightens. The rules. I wish I could see those in fine print. I wonder if there is a loophole. Nathan said no one would fire him.
“So no one can date anyone here?” I ask, wanting to know.
“There are a few outs but not many. You can be married.”
“So no first dates?” I tease. “Unless it’s to the courthouse.”
Rachel laughs, going back to looking over the spreadsheet on her desk.
Nathan didn't say anything about if anyone could fire me or not. It would be so worth it if this was a forever kind of thing. For all I know, this might be a fling to him.
I could actually see Nathan going on about how humans shouldn’t be in monogamous relationships. I’ve read some studies too and understood what they were saying. Understanding and doing are two totally different things. When it comes to love I let my heart guide me, and call me old fashioned, but I want the forever kind of love.
eleven
DR. NATHAN AMHERST
If I don’t getmy mouth on Kayla soon, I’m going to explode. I thought about it all last night and it made the most sense to get her into an enclosed space—to recreate the elevator experience without the terror of loss of life or limb. Thus was born my brilliant plan to get her to the Lancaster cabin. I take her there and pretend that my car breaks down, never mind that it’s a new Tesla sent to me by Musk in thanks for the formula on a new plant-based energy source. We then are forced to stay at the cabin until the tow truck arrives—only no tow truck arrives because I pay off Henry, the auto guy, to stay away. Then she takes off her clothes and begs for me to take her. It’s a solid plan. No holes at all.
First, though, we’re going to need food because if she’s hungry she will be distracted. Hunger is the number one cause of failed seductions. I don’t know that this is true, but it sounds right.
“This is the Kingsbury. Can I help you?”
“I want to order some groceries,” I say.
“What do you mean order groceries?”
“I want to order food to be delivered to my house. I’m at 511 Pine Grove. The gate access is 4357. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what to include but make sure you have champagne, ice cream, chocolate, whipped cream, honey—did I mention whipped cream?”
“Sir.”
“Yes?”
“This is Lancaster. We don’t deliver.”
I frown. How is that possible? “Everyone delivers.”
“No, sir, we don’t. This is a small town, and we only have four employees. No one—”
“How much?”
“How much what?”