Adley

Crew said he would be waiting for me outside the clinic at five o'clock. He didn't tell me that he wouldn't be alone. Ellie is next to him with Jonas holding tightly to her hand.

"Hey, Bean." I approach where the three of them are standing. I look down at Jonas. For a five-year-old, the kid has some major height. "What are you two doing in this part of town, kiddo?"

"Aunt Adley, you know why we're here."  He rolls his eyes.

I have no idea why they are here. None.

"I thought you'd change before you left the clinic." Ellie scrunches her nose as she looks at my scrubs. "I guess this means you want to stop by your place first?"

I look at Crew for any hint, but he's silent and staring at me. Great.

It's been a long day. I'm cranky and tired. On top of that, I'm still trying to wrap my head around what happened between Crew and me last night.

The kiss was exactly what I wanted until we were interrupted. By the time I'd finished with the call from the clinic's answering service, the weight of what we'd done hit me full force. I jeopardized one of the most important friendships I've ever had. It was reckless. It can't happen again, even if my lips still feel tender and the ache for him has only intensified.

"We ran into Crew down the block." Ellie pats him on the back. "I'd invite him to join us, but he has to sit this one out since I only have three tickets."

Three tickets to what?

I scroll through my memories trying to latch onto anything that will clue me in to what the hell I had planned for tonight.

"You're obviously in a good mood," she says sarcastically when Crew doesn't make the expected comment about being left out in the cold. "Did you fire someone or something?"

"I did." He answers without taking his gaze off of me. "Miriam."

"You fired Miriam?" There's no mistaking the shock in Ellie's tone. "Does Nolan know? He loves her."

"He'll get over it."

She shakes her head. "He won't be happy."

He finally turns to look at her. "He will get over it, Ellie."

"So you haven't told him yet?"

Crew folds his arms across his chest. "I'll go to your place now and tell him face-to-face since it seems that my plans for this evening have fallen through."

"Can we go, Mom?" Jonas jumps in place. "I need to use the bathroom."
I jerk a thumb at the clinic. "Use the one in the waiting room."

Ellie takes a step forward before Crew stops her with a hand on her shoulder. He squeezes it. "Have fun tonight, Bean." Then he crouches and extends his closed fist to Jonas who goes in for a hearty fist bump. "I'll bring you some pretzels this week, Joe."

"Those chocolate covered ones?"

He messes Jonas's blonde hair before he stands upright. "An entire bag just for you."

With that Ellie scoops her son's hand back into her own and they head into the clinic leaving me alone with the man I've thought about all day.

***

"It's the circus," I mutter after seeing a taxi top display for the big top as a cab waits at the red light on the street in front of the clinic. "We're going to the circus."

"I'm glad she didn't get me a ticket." He steps closer to me. "I'm not a fan."

I'm not either but I remember four or five months ago when tickets to a fundraising circus in Brooklyn went on sale. Jonas was on board immediately, and since May had no interest in going, he invited me personally during a phone call. My heart melted and I agreed straightaway.

"I take it you forgot about your plans with them tonight," he goes on. "I'm disappointed, Ad. We need to talk."

We do but I have to admit that I'm grateful for the reprieve. I haven't had a chance to take a breath since I was called in late last night. Dr. Hunt had to perform emergency surgery on a Bassett Hound that was struck by a car. I assisted and by the time we were done, the clinic was opening for the day.

I could have left early but I need the overtime so I stuck it out.

"I know," I say quietly. "We'll talk, Crew. It just can't be tonight."

His jaw tightens. "I don't want to put this off. This is important. I can stop by your place once you're home."

I'm too tired for this. I have to think through what I want to say before we have a discussion of this magnitude. I want to salvage our friendship. That's my main goal at this point.

I turn toward him and shrug. "I don't know what time it will be over. I think we should agree to talk tomorrow night."

"I have plans tomorrow night," he says curtly. "I can make it at lunch if that works."

Although I want to ask about his plans, I don't. This is the very reason why last night should never have happened. My emotions will get tangled in knots if we take things any farther. The idea of him with another woman is already tugging on my last nerve.  I can't imagine hanging out casually at Ellie and Nolan's place with him after we've fucked and decided to try to be just friends again. It won't work. 

"I can't do lunch."  I look over when the clinic door opens and Jonas bounces out with Ellie right behind him. "We're having a going away party at noon tomorrow for one of the lab techs. It's her last day."

I don't know why I explain that to him. He didn't elaborate on his plans.

"Are you ready to go?" Ellie wraps her arm around my shoulder. "Someone is super excited to have some popcorn."

"I'll call you tomorrow, Ad," Crew says with a sigh. "I hope the three of you have a blast."

"We will," Jonas answers for all of us. "See you later, Crew."

"Later," he responds without looking at Jonas.

I still feel his eyes on me as we start off down the block to the car and driver waiting for Ellie and Jonas. I want to turn back, but I don't. I'm scared that if I do, he won't see his best friend. He'll see just another conquest and that's not who I am.