Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“I’ll be here for this one, as it’s our main location. I’d like for you to take them to both satellite locations this afternoon. Give them full access to any information they ask for, and don’t hold anything back.”
I nod slowly. “I can do that.”
“Thank you, Charlotte. I’m sorry for dropping this on you like this, but again, I don’t want the staff to know what’s going on. I don’t want them to worry.”
“I understand. Who are we meeting with today?” I ask.
“I’m not certain how many people will be here. I’m hoping it’s a small group so that the staff isn’t as curious. However, we’ll deal with that as it happens. This is the final piece. If they like what they see today, they’re going to sign the contract. We signed last night. I don’t anticipate any issues today.”
“Okay. Well, I better get to work. I’ll be ready at ten when they’re here. Should I order pastries or lunch, maybe?”
“I took care of having lunch catered. It’s been a while since we treated the staff, and then we’ll set up for a private lunch with our guests in the conference room. It will just be you and me. The other providers have full patient loads.”
“All right. Well, if anything changes between now and then, let me know.” My smile is forced, but I’m hoping it’s not obvious. I know he said that all of our jobs are safe, but a buyout always changes things. I love this job, my staff, and the physicians. This is not what I needed on top of last week’s drama.
Speaking of, I make a mental note to check and see if we have any boxes that I can drop off to Audrey. She’s been packing up her things this week while Lincoln is staying at a hotel or maybe with Liam, I assume. She’s going to be staying with me for a while until she gets on her feet. I’d never tell her this because I don’t want her to think that I’m happy that her wedding never happened, but I’m excited to have her staying with me.
By the time I graduated with my master's, Audrey was in college too. I’ve been living on my own, and while I enjoy my space, it will be nice to have her here. It won’t be so lonely for a change.
Taking a seat at my desk, I fire up my computer and get busy. My day just got high-jacked. I spend the next two hours multi-tasking, wearing eight million hats as I do on any given day. As practice administrator of a privately owned practice, I’m accounting, maintenance, human resources, IT, and anything and everything else that happens to arise that needs to be taken care of. It keeps me busy, but I love it. I couldn’t imagine doing anything different with my life.
Well, that’s not true either. I’d love to be a mom, but you have to fall in love for that to happen, or at least be dating. Sure, I know there are other ways, but my best-kept secret is that I want the fairy tale. My parents were so in love with each other. I want that. I want a man who looks at me as if I’m the best gift he’s ever received, and I want to be the woman who stands by his side, supporting him through life.
A quick glance at the clock shows me it’s a few minutes before our guests are due to arrive. I dash down the hall for a quick bathroom break before making my way to the conference room. I walk around, pushing in chairs and tossing a leftover napkin from where one of the physicians must have eaten lunch in here earlier this week. The room is ready, but my nerves are not. I’m not a fan of change. I’ve had enough change in my lifetime. But Dr. Phillips seemed excited and confident that this buyout is what’s best for everyone.
I just hope he’s right.
I hear voices down the hall. I stand up straight and smooth out the black pencil skirt and white, flowing top I’m wearing today. I plaster a smile on my face, and as soon as Dr. Phillips steps into the room, I see who he’s with, and my smile drops.
“Mr. Pennington, this is our practice administrator—”
“Charlie. I mean Charlotte,” Spencer corrects. A slow, sexy grin tugs at his lips. He studies me for several long heartbeats before offering Dr. Phillips more information. “We went to college together.” He steps toward me and offers me his hand. “Good to see you again.” He’s not once taken his eyes off me since he walked through the door.
My heart pounds in my chest. What in the hell is he doing here? I wipe my sweaty palms on my skirt as my mind races with what I know about Spencer. Suddenly everything clicks. He’s the CEO of our local hospital, Charleston Memorial, and he’s going to be my new boss if this plan goes through. He tilts his head to the side, and I realize his hand is still suspended in the air. “You too,” I say, taking his hand. There’s a tremor in my voice because I’m freaking the hell out. This can’t be happening. He gently traces his thumb over mine before he releases his hold, which lasts far longer than a greeting handshake should have.