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“Yeah,” she said, looking down at her chicken salad. “So, when do you think you will be opening your clinic for children?”

“Honestly, I haven’t even started planning yet,” I said shamefully. “I know I need to start planning soon because my inheritance from my grandparents will only last me a few more years. I don’t know what my problem is. I can’t seem to wrap my head around putting my dreams down on paper.”

“You’re the therapist. You tell me.” Lindsey chuckled. “Maybe you’re afraid to grow up.”

“I’m not Peter Pan.” I laughed. “I think deep down I’m afraid to fail. I know what it’s like to lose a parent, and these kids will be relying on me to pull them out of that. It’s a big deal, you know? It’s a lot of responsibility, and I want to make sure that I’m ready for it.”

“Your phone is ringing,” she said, looking down at it buzzing on the table.

“Hello?” I said, answering without looking at the screen.

“Hey there,” Nathan said, making me blush.

“Oh, hi,” I said excitedly. “How are you?”

“I’m good. How are you?”

“Good, just eating lunch with Lindsey,” I said.

“Do you guys ever do anything other than eat lunch?”

“Yeah, we plan weddings,” I joked. “What’s up?”

“My company is throwing a party on Saturday night, and I wanted to know if you would be my date?”

“Wow,” I said. “What kind of party?”

“It’s a release to the shareholders,” he said. “We are presenting the new project in its finality.”

“I would love to,” I said happily.

“Awesome,” he said. “I will pick you up at seven then.”

“I will be ready,” I said. “Oh, how formal is this event?”

“It is black tie, my sweets,” he said with a smile in his voice.

“Alright, great,” I replied, feeling a bit of dread. “I’ll see you then.”

I hung up the phone and looked at Lindsey. She smiled and shoved lettuce into her mouth. I laughed and shook my head.

“That was Nathan,” I said. “I’m going to be his date at the party on Saturday.”

“Oh, wow,” she replied with a full mouth. “That’s a big deal.”

“I know,” I said, standing up and grabbing my bag. “It’s a huge deal, and it’s black tie.”

“Well, you better go get a dress,” she said. “I’ll call you later. Send me pictures.”

“I’m on it,” I said, walking out of the trailer.

I wanted to knock him off his feet.

Chapter 6

Nathan

It was always a good feeling when the clock hit quitting time on a Friday. I had a full weekend planned, and though I would have to be CEO the next day for the party, for that night, I could just be me and relax. I straightened up my office and grabbed my briefcase, switching off the lights as I left. I walked down through the halls and took the elevator to the bottom floor. The car was waiting for me on the street, so I hopped in and sat there, thinking about what I had planned.