Cal said. “I’m grateful every day that Emily came back into my life and gave me another chance. I don’t know what I’d do without her and Annie.”
“You sound like girls,” Jake teased.
The two looked at each other before Mitch said, “We’re okay with that.”
“So you guys are blissfully happy and recommend marriage. Good for you.”
“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” Mitch cautioned.
“I’m not knocking anything,” Jake protested. He looked at Cal on his right and Mitch on his left. “I get it. You guys are happy. Can we talk about business now?”
“One question. What’s going on with you and what’s-her-name? The daughter of the president of the hospital’s board of directors?” Mitch settled an intense look on him.
“You mean Blair Havens?” She was definitely Congressman Havens’s daughter and he was definitely president of the board of directors. Jake answered, “We’re dating.”
“Is it serious?” Cal asked.
“What are you? Her father?”
“I have a daughter,” he said. “And if any guy messes with Annie he’ll have me to deal with. So, I’m just saying …”
“Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by serious.” Jake was dodging the question.
“Serious as in settling down. Marriage,” Cal spelled out.
“I’ve thought about it,” he admitted. “Blair is beautiful, smart and connected. Her father was in Congress and still has political influence. It would be a good career move. But …”
“Ah. But,” Mitch said, a knowing look in his eyes. “A three letter word that means not so fast.”
“Something like that,” Jake agreed.
His personal life had flatlined a long time ago when he fell in love but didn’t pass her family’s white-trash test. In their eyes, once you’ve been homeless the smell of loser never goes away. The experience taught him not to take anything for granted. Hard work alone didn’t guarantee success or happiness. So, a relationship should buy you something. A career boost. Connections. The path to power. Something.
“Okay, guys.” He looked from Cal to Mitch. “Can I start the meeting?”
“Fine.” Mitch nodded.
“Okay with me.” Cal met his gaze. “The sooner we’re done here, the sooner I can get home to the family. Go, bro.”
Agendas were passed out and the first item was a status report on hiring new doctors for the practice. While his friends talked, Jake’s mind wandered to the memory of a pair of pretty hazel eyes flashing with humor and intelligence. A mouth, with its defined upper lip and full bottom one. A mouth that could be cute and crooked when she smiled. It was just a memory, but still had the power to drive him crazy.
And, dammit! This was his practice. The one he’d started with nothing but determination and guts. His career and the stability of his future was on the line. Everything he’d ever wanted was now his for the taking. This was an incredibly inconvenient time to lose focus.
He and Hope didn’t have a relationship, let alone anything that would guarantee him success. In fact, what was between them had the potential to implode all his plans.
Maybe he needed to talk to her again about keeping things between them purely professional.
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