Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“So…we’re just not doing it enough?”
“Well, from your interview, you seem to be enjoying frequent intercourse. Females with shorter menstrual cycles can sometimes ovulate earlier than expected. There’s a chance you’ve just been missing the window. Lifestyle factors, such as stress, can also lead to delays in ovulation and impact fertility. Can you think of an obvious source of stress in your life?”
“No, not that I can…” My words drifted off as soon as I met Hale’s stare. Okay, maybe there was one source, but that seemed like a stretch. Or was it?
We both sighed and said, “Remington.”
“What’s Remington?”
Hale grimaced. “He’s my father and Rayne’s boss.”
“Do you consider your job stressful, Rayne?”
“My job? No.” My phone buzzed. Speak of the devil. I sent the call to voicemail. “My boss, however, can be a bit of a handful.”
“And your boss is also your father-in-law?”
“Yes, but I have a very different relationship with him than Hale. We’re more like friends.” If one friend always bossed the other around and made them pick up their dry cleaning and headhunt minions.
“He’s a malignant narcissist who expects the world to revolve around his needs,” Hale explained. “If he can’t profit off of someone, he views them as a waste of time.”
“I see.”
“That’s a little harsh,” I mumbled.
“Harsh, but true. He’s a source of stress in both our lives,” he told the doctor and I gaped at the little tattletale.
“I wouldn’t say that—”
“How many times has he texted you since we’ve been here? Ignore the fact that you’re using your personal time, he knows you’re away with your husband, and that you have a doctor’s appointment today.”
I casually slid my phone into my bag. Stunned Hale would throw me under the bus like that. Yes, Remington had called several times, but that was only because I was a crucial part of his daily operations.
“I’m an indispensable part of the company,” I explained, refusing to look at Hale who knew that was a lie.
“He was probably looking for paperwork on collectible cars, or something equally unimportant. He has no respect for your personal time.”
“It’s not like I can’t ignore him.” I bunched my shoulders, feelings slightly under attack. “He knows I’m busy, that’s why I haven’t answered him. I’ll call him back when I feel like it.” My purse vibrated in my lap, and I winced.
Hale gazed at the bag. “That’s him right now, isn’t it?”
“So? You don’t see me rushing to answer.” Just then, the Imperial March blared from my work phone. If Remington was using the emergency line reserved only for emergencies, it must mean that whatever he needed couldn’t wait. Hale held my stare, daring me not to pick up. I almost didn’t, but the longer it rang, the more I worried something was wrong. “I’m sorry, I have to get this.”
I discreetly lifted the phone from my purse, and the Imperial March silenced. “Remington? I’m at a doctor’s appointment. Did you need something?”
“Meyers, what did you do with the paperwork from the marina? I want you to see about moving my yachts closer to the cabana lounge.”
I closed my eyes as Hale glared at the phone. The room was small and silent, so there was no chance they couldn’t hear how ridiculous and not-urgent Remington’s question was.
“This is exactly what I’m talking about,” Hale told Dr. Seacrest. “She needs to establish boundaries.” He cupped his mouth and spoke loudly toward the phone, “This. Is. Her. Personal. Time.”
“Remington, I’ll have to call you back.” I hung up the phone and it instantly started ringing again. I silenced it, stuffing it all the way at the bottom of my bag as my blood pressure rose.
“That was an emergency?”
“You know how he is, Hale.” I didn’t want to argue about this here, so I faced the doctor. “Obviously, there are some changes I can make. But it’s also stressful that Hale refuses to get along with his father when he’s such a prominent part of our lives.”
There. I said it.
Was I going to look at Hale now that I told the truth? Abso-fucking-lutely not. So I stared wide-eyed at the doctor like a total psychopath.
“Well, it seems like you’ve identified some areas you can work on. A few boundaries and perhaps some minor lifestyle changes, and things should improve.”
Was she dismissing us? That was it?
Her advice was fuck more and stress less? Who wouldn’t benefit from that?
What a waste of a tank of gas. I mean, it was great we both got a clean bill of health, but we weren’t necessarily given a solution. I thought this lady was supposed to be the best of the best? We were at least happy before we came here. Now, we were both pissed off and not speaking. Great. This was exactly why I preferred to be non-confrontational in all things.