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I slid my arm around her waist and gave her another kiss. “As long as you promise me you’re really this good and not just diving into a project to hide.”

She was a brat and kissed my nose. “It’s a bit of that, but it’s really helped. I talked to Gerald a bit and I have to go into the police station tomorrow and sign the reports against Kenneth and that family. I’m sure they’ll get off with a fine—I don’t know, but I want it over. I don’t care if he gets prison as long as he understands this was the last time he contacts me.”

Which meant having a private chat with Kenneth Reed was just added to my calendar.

We had fun at the gym. I ended up swimming with her and she did some machines for lifting while I did free weights. The tension between us was so intense that it was good nothing too flammable was around us.

The sex we had after was all I wanted for fire and then we had fun eating.

Everything was more fun with Ellie. Even opening her damn packages full of bins and organization stuff. Honestly, I got some really good ideas for my own condo and asked for her to send me a few links which tickled her.

She cleared her throat when we were finished with her closet. There was a small hanging section above two drawers and a few shelves. “I hoped this was enough along with a shelf and drawer in the new bathroom.”

I beamed at her. “It’s perfect. Your bed is much nicer than mine, so I like staying here.”

She frowned. “I like your bed better. Mine’s like fifteen years old. I was going to ask where you got yours.”

“Yes, mine’s newer and more comfortable, but yours hasyouin it, and that’s most important and makes it better.”

She blinked at me for a full minute “You are too fucking smooth. Seriously, it’s—you need to come with a warning for the hearts of women.”

I laughed so hard my side hurt. She was just too perfect.

Her master suite looked like a completely different room after her time off. Her home office was pristine and organized in a way I was jealous of. How had she seriously managed that in a handful of days? We’d been to the gym a few times, gone shopping for some new clothes for her, and I knew she’d been to the police station.

Plus, she’d been on several video calls for work. She really was on a level we mere mortals couldn’t catch.

She seemed extra determined Sunday but also a bit nervous. I didn’t pry, but I told her that she’d made it as far in life as she had by trusting her gut. That I trusted her and her decisions, so I knew she would make the right ones. It seemed to really help, and I was relieved because I wanted to be the one she turned to when she needed help.

Just like she always helped me even when I didn’t ask for it.

When I didn’t even know Ineededit.

“Can you believe she went on TV and actually said that?” one of my staff whispered when I was between patients to update a chart.

“Good for her. I’m glad Ms. Reed is drawing a line in the sand. Too many think this will blow over and it will be back to the bullshit it was before,” one of the nurses replied as she typed in something. “I agree with her that it needs to go further. I like working for a doctor who doesn’t see me as a conquest.

“I like that we have fun but work hard. Hell, I’m thrilled HR isn’t a bunch of petty children anymore and will protect the hospitaland help us. I had to talk about my leave and changing some things around for my kid’s break after getting reassignedhere and the new team is awesome. I want to do my job and then live my life.”

“That’s how it should be,” I agreed, letting them know I was there. I ignored when they both jumped but then glanced between them. “Did everything get resolved with HR?”

“Yes, Dr. Clark,” she assured me. “When I got transferred here, they put me at the wrong level given how long I’ve worked here, and then I wouldn’t get top pick of time off. I waited to have kids until I had that because I—it’s hard being a mom and not getting to enjoy breaks with your kids. My mom struggled with that, and I don’t want that with my kids.”

“I’m glad it worked out. If it ever doesn’t or—I’ll make sure it does with HR.”

The other woman smiled at me. “We know. Working for you is so much better than the last office I was with.”

The nurse cleared her throat. “It would be almost perfect if we could get rid of one or two problems.”

“I know, but we need replacements or I’m not sure the extra workload that will be put on you will be worth it,” I told them. “But I’m working on it, not blind to it.”

“We know,” they said together.

“What did you mean about Ms. Reed on an interview?” I asked, dying to know what they were talking about but not seem like it.

“She held a press conference about the changes to ASH and the path we’re on,” the nurse told me. “It was seriously impressive. She’s going to piss a lot of people off.”

“Can you text me the link?” I asked.