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I release an inaudible sigh. Money would be easier. But I can try to make this work for both of us.

"Tell me what you mean by that—someone to spend time with. What does that look like to you?"

She shrugs, her eyes glazing over thoughtfully. "I don't know. A few times a week for a few hours. We could go out sometimes, or we could stay home. Your place—" She glances around the open floor plan, her eyes lingering on my books. "You can come to my place sometimes—if you want to, I mean. I don't live like this," she says with a sweeping look around.

Her shoulders slump forward. "Maybe this isn't a good idea," she says softly.

"You'd really rather spend time with me than get paid?" I ask incredulously. "Why? And why do you all of a sudden think this isn't a good idea?"

She picks up the pen, fiddling with it.I should have gotten her a drink."I don't want your money."

She's already made that pretty clear.

"I originally met you because I thought we were looking for the same thing. Companionship. Friendship, even. But without the expectation of anything more. Potential maybe, but not expectation."

She swallows thickly.

"We can do that." I nod. I'm still not following. "But?"

"Florence, you don't have friends." Her voice is gentle, but it cuts. "You don't let anyone see who you really are. You're completely closed off." She looks at me for a long minute. "Do you haveanyoneyou trust or care for that you don't pay?"

That's not fair."Don't judge me for putting my career first," I say, my voice low.

"I'm not judging you, Florence. I feel sorry for you."

I inhale sharply.

I force myself to stop, not to react. I need someone to be my fiancée, and I don't have time to find and vet other women.

"Don't feel sorry for me," I counter. "I like my life."At least I haven't been pining over my best friend for more than a decade.

I soften my tone. "I'm proud of the work I do, Josie. We have one of the best teaching hospitals in the nation. People come from all over the world to get their education here. Some of the best doctors in the world trained here. We're the best of the best." I take a deep breath. "I've built this hospital's reputation from mediocre to the best in the world." Not by myself, but by building a superior team on every level.

Josie smiles. "Yes, you have. And I'm proud to be part of the team that creates those world-class doctors."

She takes my hand, turning my palm up and tracing my life lines with her thumb. Her eyes follow the path from our joined hands to my face, and she intentionally holds my gaze.

"But there's more to life than that." Her voice is quiet, firm. "You need to let people in to take care of you. To hear you. To love you for who you are—outside of work. The people who work for you can only do that to a point."

I hear Marin at the door. I pull my hand away and avert my gaze.

"That's Marin. She's bringing dinner."

I stand quickly, eager to escape this conversation. She comes in before I even reach the door.

"Did you have any trouble?" I ask her.

She shakes her head. "I've got it, ma'am. Give me five minutes, and I'll have dinner ready for you. I'll put dessert in the refrigerator. I can stay and serve if you'd like."

"Not necessary."

I pick up the contract documents from the table and set them on the china cabinet. I need something to do with my hands.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Marin's glances between us as she sets up dinner.

"Nice to finally meet you, Doctor," she says, placing the steaks on the table. "I've heard so much about you."

"Oh?" Josie's eyebrow go up, and my shoulders tense. "Like what?"