He only wanted to forget her, but lying in the warmth of another 's arms, he realized he never could.
Excerpt below
Ethan turned to look at the clock on the mantle after placing his last piece of luggage alongside the door. Eight-thirty. He still had three hours before his flight departed from Logan. He could make a call if he wanted...
He poured the last of the scotch from the decanter, ensuring he got the very last drop, then sauntered toward the balcony. Boston looked like a masterpiece. The setting sun painted hues of amber and rose above the city he loved. He soaked in the scene, attempting to commit it to memory. Something he could remember in the months that lay ahead.
Settling into his favorite deckchair, he emptied the contents of his drink; he could feel the emptiness coming from the chair beside him. The place was his for the past eight years, and he was accustomed to having it to himself. He preferred it that way. But within the past few months, everything changed. He could still see her sitting there, wearing nothing but his button-down shirt, her laughter dancing through the air brightening everything in its path... making him dizzy with desire. He couldn't recall ever wanting anyone or anything, more. Just one more instance where fate stepped in to cruelly mock him, the one thing he wanted...
His phone rang, and the voice of another woman greeted him on the other end.
“Harper," he started. "Everything still on schedule? I can still arrange for an Uber to take me if..."
“Nonsense!" She insisted. "I was calling to see if you've already packed. I thought we could share a drink or two at the airport before you take off to save the world.”
Despite her laughter at the end of that statement, Ethan knew she was proud of him. So were Naveen and the hospital board. All heralding him as a hero for going off to save lives in the depths of the Amazon. But their accolades didn't bolster him; they simply made him feel like more of a fraud. Yes, he was eager to help others; that's why he became a doctor to begin with, but he knew the truth. This trip was about nothing more than saving himself… and the woman he loved.
*****
Kaycee sat ashen-faced at the news. Her trembling hands covered her mouth in dismay. If only they could hide her completely.
“Dr. Ramsey is on sabbatical. As of this morning, he is in the Amazon, working with the WHO. He will be there for a minimum of two months….”
“No!” She gasped loud enough for every head in the room to turn in her direction.
Dr. Banerji’s face fell. One look at the horrified look in her eyes and his worst suspicions were confirmed... Ethan hadn’t told her a thing. Her eyes met his, frightened and desperate for an escape; she needed any excuse that would justify her reaction, but in her state, she was left wading alone in a tumultuous sea without so much as an oar to reel her in.
“It’s OK, Dr. MacClennan,” Naveen smiled. "The diagnostic team will still be functioning... business as usual. Your fellowship will not be impacted at all. In fact, you’ll be working with me, and I couldn't be more delighted to work with the esteemed doctor who saved my life.”
With attention focused back on Naveen, Kaycee waited for her shaking legs to stabilize enough to walk, then she rushed to the door with Sienna quick at her heels. Ignoring her friend’s pleas, she bolted down the hallway, already dialing Ethan when she stepped into an empty elevator.
“Kaycee? Are you OK? What was that all about,” Sienna asked the second the door closed.
But Kaycee couldn’t muster up a word.
You have reached the personal voicemail of Dr. Ethan Ramsey. Please be advised that I will be out of the country for several months, and your call may not be answered until my return….”
“He... He wouldn’t….” Kaycee croaked, “he… couldn’t…. Ethan wouldn’t do this to me! He... he can't.”
She furiously dialed his number again. Sienna’s face scrunched in concern as the puzzle pieces began to fall into place.
“Kaycee, talk to me. You can trust me. Dolphin code!”
“He wouldn’t do this, Sienna! He would never just leave without even telling me. He told me… he told me we’d work things out! He cares about me... he wouldn't...”
The young doctor's head flung to the door as it opened, her eyes like deers in a headlight when Harper stepped inside.
“Dr. MacClennan, Dr. Trinh," she nodded. "Is everything OK?”
“Yes,” Sienna smiled, “we were just….”
Harper cut Sienna off, Kaycee's expression telling her all she needed to know.
"I take it you heard the news. Kaycee, there’s no need to worry. Everything remains on track for you. Ethan went out of his way to make sure of it. In fact, he asked me if I’d mentor you when I brought him to the airport last night, and I assured him that I’ll be here for you while he was gone.”
