A Beautiful Thought (The Beautiful Series) (2 page)

“Again, I sincerely apologize, Gail.” Greg stood from his office chair and started to pace. “We lost a huge account last week, and it represented a large portion of our patients. They went with a bigger company who is in-network with their new insurance carrier.”

I racked my brain, wondering which company would sacrifice quality rehabilitation care for the sake of saving a few bucks. There was always at least one.

“It was Midwest, wasn’t it?” I asked out of curiosity. I felt as though my world was crumbling to pieces around me, and I did not have the power to stop it. It was an awful, helpless feeling that I was not coping well with.

He came to stand at my side, and then he sat in the empty chair next to me. His fingers ran through his hair in frustration. “Yes.”

I shook my head, still in a state of shock. “That doesn’t surprise me. They always seem to care more about every penny they can save rather than the recovery of their clients.”

Greg tilted his head over at me. “It’s sickening to think that a health care company is allowed to do such a thing.” He paused and let out a troubled sigh. “Gosh, Gail, I’m so sorry,” he said again. “If there were any other way, trust me, I wouldn’t be doing this to you right now. I know you have a lot on your plate, too.”

I shifted my eyes to look directly at Greg, observing the remorse in his expression.

This man had become such a dear friend to me in a short amount of time. He was an excellent doctor, a fantastic boss, a loving husband, and a wonderful father to his two teenage daughters. Greg had so much more weight on his shoulders than me. He had to do whatever was necessary to keep his business afloat during our not-so-great economy. And if I knew him at all, he was not making this decision lightly. He would only decrease my hours if he had no other option.

So, I sat up in my chair and let out a deep breath. I dug deep within myself for inner strength that I desperately needed. “I understand that you have to do what is right for the company.” I smiled reassuringly. “So, please don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay.”

He gave me that look, the one that called bullshit. “Are you sure?” he asked uneasily. “Maybe I can squeeze in a few extra hours.”

I could not allow Greg to compromise what was best for his company or his family just for me. He had a wife and two children to take care of at home.

I rose from my chair and told him, “Seriously, Greg, I have savings to fall back on, and I can find something to do on the weekends to make extra cash if I need it.”

A whoosh of air expelled from Greg. “All right.” He pointed his finger at me, reminding me of my father’s same reaction when I would get in trouble as a kid.

I stifled a grin.

“But you let me know if you need anything, and I mean
anything
, kiddo.”

Now, I had to smile.

Greg always called me kiddo in a friendly yet fatherly sort of way even though I was twenty-five. And just like my dad, I would not dare argue with Greg.

“Got it.” I winked in agreement. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I offered a small smile.

“Take care.” He waved.

I shut the door before I lost my composure, and I left the building. I strode across the parking lot and got into my car. With shaky hands, I started the car and then retrieved my sunglasses. I flipped down the visor, glanced up into the mirror, and stared back at myself. My medium-length hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the common style of a health care professional. My normally bright brown eyes now reflected worry as I wondered how in the world I was going to pay my bills in the upcoming future for an unknown amount of time. No matter how many deep breaths I took, I couldn’t calm myself. I definitely needed my best friend right about now.

It was my best friend, Abbey Madison’s, turn to gape across the table at me in shock after I finished explaining my predicament with my job. Sitting in a booth at TGI Fridays, we sipped on our 7-and-7s.

With an evening crowd, the restaurant was rowdier than usual. A group of teenage girls were sitting near us, all giggling and having a good time. My brows pinched together while a minor part of me wished I could have experienced being a teen without worries.

With Caroline having a great deal of needs for as long as I could remember, I’d had a job at the age of fifteen, so I could help out around the house and pay my own way. Therefore, my parents could focus solely on my sister’s needs. I had no regrets, and I’d do it all over again because I loved my sister more than words could ever convey.

“Didn’t you just get a promotion a few months back?” Abbey exclaimed, snapping me back to reality.

“Yep,” I replied, sulking inwardly. I let out a defeated sigh. “But the company lost a huge account last week, and it was detrimental to us.”

Abbey’s bright blue eyes filled with sympathy. “I’m so sorry, Gail. What can I do to help?”

Normally, if one of us were feeling down, we would go out to lunch and then hunt for the best deals during a shopping spree. Afterward, we would be cured from our troubles. Today, that plan was definitely not an option. If anything, I should be asking the manager of TGI Fridays for an application to work nights and weekends, so I could compensate for my lost income.

“You’re doing exactly what I need right now, Abbey.” I gave her a soft smile. “Just being here for me and lending an ear while I blow off some steam means the world to me.”

“You always do the same for me, so back atcha, girl.” Abbey winked at me.

Abbey was such a sincere, kindhearted woman, and I treasured our friendship dearly. I had no idea what I would do without her, and I never planned on finding out. We were attached at the hip. Since the first day when we’d met back in college, she was always there for me in good times and bad. Whether Abbey and I ranted about our daily stresses, shared our memorable moments, or even argued with each other like all humans do from time to time, we would always be there for each other—unconditionally. That was the most precious part of having a best friend.

The waitress appeared with our cheesy nachos, and she placed them in the center of our table before leaving. I dug in to the delicious appetizer while Abbey took a sip of her 7-and-7. As I swallowed my bite, Abbey suddenly sat up straight in her chair and set down her drink with force, nearly spilling the contents.

“Oh my gosh! I just had the most random”—she lifted her hand in the air—“yet perfect thought come to me out of the blue!”

Uh-oh…I have heard those words come out of her mouth before.

Since our college days, Abbey had a very long, horrible history of random ideas.

My eyes widened in pure anxiety over what was running freely through her mind this instant. I briefly shook my head. “Oh no…I know that look.”

Her brows rose, and her expression feigned innocence. “What look?”

“That look right there.” I pointed my finger at her jokingly. “You only get that shimmer in your eyes right before you tell me one of those crazy, erratic notions you get in that head of yours.”

Abbey pinned her eyes on me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She smirked in denial. “And when has an idea of mine ever turned out badly?”

“Oh, let me see.” I lifted my hand and tapped my fingers along my jaw, pondering for an exceptional comeback.

“See!” She snorted with humor. “You can’t even think of one.”

“Oh, I can. I’m just trying to make it a good one,” I retorted.

Abbey popped a chip into her mouth as she waited with a victorious smirk spread across her face, appearing as she always did whenever she thought she had the upper hand.

There were just so many memories with Abbey. I needed one that would stand out and get me off the hook with her most recent spontaneous idea. The perfect memory clicked into place.

I raised my arm and snapped my fingers. “I got it!” I snickered. “Remember that
random
thought
you had in college when you said we should play beer pong with our roommates across the hall?”

“Uh…” Abbey cringed. “Yeah.”

“Funny, I remember that one, too.” I laughed silently and somehow managed to keep a straight face as the events of that night years ago played out in my thoughts. “And do you recall what you said to me when I kept missing the shot glass, and I had to chug more beer?”

“Yes,” she admitted guiltily. “I told you to keep going, and you’d soon get the hang of it.”

“And how did that work out?”

“Not so good. You spent the rest of the night hugging the good ole porcelain toilet in our bathroom while I held your hair,” Abbey admitted sheepishly. “But in my defense, I didn’t know you had such a low tolerance for beer at the time.”

“Totally irrelevant,” I replied, playfully dismissing her excuse.

Abbey raised her brows at me with a hopeful expression on her face. “Do I get points for holding back your hair, so you wouldn’t get puke on it?”

“Nope.” I laughed.

“Damn.” She sighed. “Well then, I at least get to take credit for making you a beer pong champ by the time we graduated with our degrees.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that one.”

I grinned, and we both fell into an uncontrollable fit of giggles.

The waitress appeared with another round of drinks. We each picked up our new glasses and took a sip. The cool liquid contrasted the warmth my body felt from the alcohol.

Abbey abruptly set down her drink and peered back up at me. “So, back to my original thought.” A grin slipped past her lips as though she could not resist. “You remember Damon Johnson, Jason’s brother, from a few weeks ago, right?”

My body froze, and my heart stopped midbeat for a split second before I nearly choked on my 7-and-7.

Jason was Abbey’s fiancé
,
and Pearl was their utterly adorable seven-year-old daughter they’d recently adopted. Upon Pearl’s first official night at Abbey and Jason’s condo, they’d had a beautiful welcoming home party for her. Family and friends had greeted Pearl with open arms, hugging her and welcoming her to the family. We all had cried, smiled, and rejoiced over such a heartfelt, sacred moment. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen, and I was honored to be a part of it. I loved Abbey’s family like my own, and I was so pleased to see her so happy and at a great place in her life.

That part of the night was the easiest to reminisce.

Damon, on the other hand, was the man who I had been deliberately trying to block from my thoughts since that day. From his soft blue eyes and brown hair to his muscular, tall form, every inch of him was delectably gorgeous.

At Pearl’s party, I’d silently daydreamed about the look and feel of every curve of Damon’s muscles hiding beneath his clothes. I had lacked the inner strength to peel my eyes away, and Abbey had caught me staring at him.

Go figure.

Trying to hide my blushing face from Abbey in an effort to avoid any questions, I’d ignored her inquisitive eyes that day and turned my attention to her mom, Grace.

Just thinking back to meeting Damon at Pearl’s party caused my body temperature to rise a few degrees. He was
that
hot. I shifted in my chair, wanting to ignore the way my entire body responded to hearing his name.

“Yes,” I finally squeaked out. I was terrified to see where this conversation was leading.

“So, you do remember him?” Abbey teased.

I rolled my eyes at her. “Of course. How could I not?” I lifted my drink to take a large gulp. I would definitely need liquid encouragement to continue this chat with her.

“True,” Abbey answered. “So, since he is new to town and currently seeking housing, my thought was that maybe you could ask him to be your roommate.”

My eyes widened at her words. I had to remind myself to swallow and not spit out my drink. I could feel the scorching heat in my body. Nerves were taking over at the idea of having a man for a roommate. I had only met Damon once in my life. Not to mention, living and sleeping with that handsome hunk under the same roof
while
keeping things platonic would be absolute torture.

At my expression, Abbey lifted her hands in front of her. “Whoa! Hear me out!” she pleaded.

All the reasons to rebuttal her suggestion came pouring out of my mouth. “That is your most ludicrous idea ever, Abbey! Doesn’t Jason have an apartment he wanted to get rid of since the two of you moved in together?” I questioned.

“No, it’s not!” Abbey exclaimed, looking teasingly appalled. “And Jason’s apartment is not available anymore. When he called the landlord to let him know the apartment was no longer needed, the guy found someone to lease it to within a week.”

“But Damon and I don’t even know each other. Wouldn’t that be totally awkward?”

“Only if you let it.” Abbey set her elbows on the table, leaning closer. “Gail, he’s a really sweet, funny, and down-to-earth guy. Quite frankly, he’s great. You’d really like him, and this could be a win-win situation for both of you.”

“How so?” I croaked.

Imaginary red flags were waving at me, shouting loud and clear that this was a terrible way to solve my problem.

“Well, Damon could chip in on the rent, relieving you of some financial pressure. Since he just moved here from Colorado, California is new to him. This opportunity would give him the chance to see if this move is right for him without committing to a lease.”