How Much I Feel - Marie Force Page 0,90

We’re going to figure something out, okay?”

Hope swells within me, a wave of happiness so big I couldn’t hold it back even if I wanted to, which I don’t. I nod, because what else can I do but put my faith in him?

He leans across the center console but can go only so far.

I have to meet him halfway, so the choice is mine to make. As if there’s any choice at all. I lean in.

His hand curls around my neck as his lips meet mine in a kiss that starts off sweet but quickly becomes about frenzied need and intense desire.

We resurface many minutes later, hands buried in each other’s hair, lips tingling and other parts on fire for more.

“Whoa.”

His single word sums it up rather well.

“I have to go to work.” I glance at the clock. I have fifteen minutes to get there on time and will need every one of them at this hour.

“Me too.” He kisses the back of my hand and lets it go, seeming reluctant. “Can I call you later?”

I think about that before shaking my head. “Call me when you figure out what you’re doing. We’ll go from there.”

He groans dramatically and drops his head back against the seat. “You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Giordino, but okay. We’ll do this your way.” He rolls his head my way and looks at me with those beautiful eyes. “Don’t fall for someone else before you hear from me, okay?”

My lips quiver from the effort not to laugh. I sense he wouldn’t appreciate that right now. “I’ll try not to.”

“You do that.” He reaches for the door handle but looks at me one more time, seeming to take visual inventory, before he gets out of the car and closes the door behind him.

I watch him walk over to join Juanita’s line, noting the subtle hunch of his shoulders as he goes. While I hate to see him hurting, it helps to know we’re both unsettled. I’m thankful for that as I leave the parking lot and head for work, running frightfully late.

CHAPTER 22

CARMEN

Traffic is more of a monster than usual, and I end up jogging on heels from the parking lot, juggling my cortadito, my work bag and my purse. The effort is worth it when I roll into the executive suite five minutes after nine.

Fortunately only Mona sees me come in late, and I doubt she’ll tell anyone.

“Good morning,” she says, apparently chipper in the morning, which is super annoying to a non-morning person.

“Morning.”

“Did Dr. Northrup’s sister find him last night?”

That stops me dead in my tracks. “His sister?”

“She’s very pretty. I could see the resemblance, actually.”

“That’s interesting, because Dr. Northrup doesn’t have a sister.”

Mona stares at me, her eyes wide. “He doesn’t?”

“He only has a brother, so it seems you gave his location to someone who isn’t actually a family member, Mona. That could’ve been very dangerous if she’d been looking to harm him.”

I feel like shit when her eyes fill with tears, but it’s true. She can’t just give out a colleague’s personal information without their permission.

“Is he . . . He’s all right?”

“He’s fine, but he was extremely unhappy to be confronted by the woman who caused the scandal in New York.”

“That’s who she was?”

“That’s who she was.”

“Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry. I feel terrible.” She looks up at me with eyes gone shiny with tears. “You won’t tell Mr. Augustino, will you?”

I offer a smile and a wink. “You kept my secret, and I’ll keep yours.”

“Oh, thank you, Carmen. You’re the best. I’m so glad you’ve joined our team.”

“Me too.” I go into my office and get settled for the day. I send Jason a quick text to tell him that Mona was the one who gave his “sister” the address of his hotel.

Well, that’s one mystery solved. Leave it to Ginger to lie about everything.

I told Mona she shouldn’t be giving out that info without permission. She’s very sorry.

Tell her no worries.

I put down my phone and get started with my email where I find a message from Terri, the nurse administrator friend of Jason’s from New York.

Hi Carmen,

Here are some more testimonials that came in from former patients and colleagues of Dr. Northrup’s. I heard the board here has offered him his job back. Tell him we’re all elated to hear that and can’t wait to have him back where he belongs. I texted him, but haven’t heard from him. Hope he’s holding up all right in