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"No, thanks." I move toward the kitchen to get some water, but she gently grabs my arm.

"Let me get it."

I shake her hand off my arm. "Do you remember what I told you on the phone Wednesday? If I'm doing this thing with Florence, that's between me and her. You don't work for me. I won't let you wait on me like that."

"Suit yourself, Doctor." She follows me into the kitchen, expertly moving around me. When I start opening cabinets to look for the water glasses, she opens the one behind me and quietly sets two glasses down.

We eat in silence for a few minutes. "Marin," Florence says, "you can go for the night. We'll clean up.".

"No, you won't, Florence." She's firm, but gentle. "You're exhausted. You haven't been sleeping well for the past two weeks, and you need a long hot soak in the tub."

Florence shakes her head. "We took care of all of that tonight. HR is taking care of Woodhouse. I'll have to prioritize his replacement, but I have people who can work on that."

"Good. One problem down, one more to go." Marin looks directly at me.

Florence sighs loudly. "Don't, Marin. It's none of your business. I told you to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

The woman nods. "Of course. Call me if you need me."

Then she's gone.

I wait until Florence is finished with her soup. "Do you want to talk about it?" I ask quietly, leaning back against my seat.

"Talk about what, Josie?" She lets out a long breath, shaking her head. "The fact that I wanted to fuck you this afternoon? That I almost lost control of myself?"

I suppress a grin. "If I'm going to fuck you, damn straight you're going to lose control of yourself." I wink, trying to lighten her sour mood. "Although maybe we should talk about it first. You're stuck with me for the next year—you might as well get some satisfaction out of the deal."

She leans back, studying me.

When she doesn't say anything, I frown. "Talk to me. What's going through your head?"

"This is too stressful. I don't know if I can do this."

I don't follow. "You mean the social media thing? Trust me. Renna's idea was brilliant. All of Delmont knows you're with me. Between this and the charity event next week, we won't need to make any other public appearances for a while."

She shakes her head. "You. And me." Her words are so disjointed. "This afternoon. That wasn't like me."

"Which part? I'm still not following." When she doesn't answer, I push. "Is it me?" Marin certainly seems to think so.

Her eyes drop to her empty bowl. "It's… no."

I stand up. Right. "I'll clean up and get out of your hair." I grab her dishes and head into the kitchen.

When I come back to wipe the table down, she's still sitting there.

"Why does Marin think I'm a problem?" I ask.

"She's wrong." Florence takes a long breath. "I'm the problem—or rather, my feelings are. You're only a 'problem' because of my feelings—in her mind, I mean."

"Go on. I'm listening." I sit down.

"I don't do feelings." She swallows hard. "I don't get attached. I never have, not even with Katie. I swore I never would. I've worked too hard to get where I'm at to let emotions get in the way."

"Except you have feelings for me."

"Since the night I met you. You have to admit there's chemistry between us."

My gaze drops to her neckline, then slides down her body, heat pooling in my belly. "Yes, there was. You're a gorgeous woman, Florence. I wasn't opposed to the idea of going home with you for a few hours."Not to mention she was the object of many a fantasy over the years.I can't help the smile that tugs at my mouth. "You seemed pretty open to it, too."