Page 50 of Ten Day Affair

“Excuse me?”

“Right when it got really good. I panicked. My brain decided to launch a full-scale anxiety spiral mid-kiss, and I stopped it.”

“Sam.”

“And then, it all went to shit. He said it was a bad idea.”

“Oh my God.”

“I know.”

“No, I mean,Sam.”

“I know.”

“So let me get this straight.” Arden’s tone sharpens, but she’s still my best friend, so I let her.

“You have dinner with your hot billionaire neighbor-slash-hospital board member, you have one of the best nights of your adult life, youfinallykiss again after the Sharon Stone-level sex on your porch, and then you self-sabotage in real time and walk away?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“Do you want to be slapped or hugged right now?”

“Probably both.”

“What happened after? Did you run home like Cinderella?”

“Basically. It was awkward. My body wanted to stay. My brain said to walk. So I walked. And then spent all night replaying every second like an idiot, wondering what he was doing, wishing I were there.”

“I know. Believe me, I know.”

She waits. I don’t offer anything else.

“Well?” she finally prompts. “What happened after that? Have you seen or talked to him at all since?”

I hesitate.

“Sam.”

“I texted him around lunch. He’d asked yesterday, before dinner, if I’d ever be willing to show him the Evelyn Taylor Wing. I figured giving him the tour might smooth things over after the weird exit last night.”

“So, how was that?”

“It was supposed to be a reset. Something professional. Straightforward.”

Arden hums, clearly not buying it. “Why do I get the feeling it didn’t go according to plan?”

I groan. “Kip was with us. I thought he’d be insurance. But even he couldn’t stifle the undercurrent. Let’s just say I’m more confused, and more horny, than ever.”

Arden whistles. “Sexual tension in scrubs. Love that for you.”

"It's not good, Arden."

“And where are we now?”

“He just texted me. That's why I called you, so I wouldn't call him.”

Arden doesn’t even pause. “What did the text say?”