Count on Me (Bayview Heights Trilogy) Read Online Free

choice,” he repeated when he finished.
    She drew in a deep breath. “I see.” She rotated her shoulders as if trying to relieve them of a burden. The silk of her shirt hugged all her curves and made him yearn to touch her. “Am I...are my kids...You’ll be working with my students, won’t you?”
    “I’m afraid so.”
    He could see her mind clicking into gear. How was she going to deal with this? One of the things he’d loved most about her was her ability to deal with life’s blows. Her optimism had always been the best kind of medicine for him when he was down.
    After a moment she straightened. “Fine, then. We’ll deal with it.”
    An almost-tangible silence hung in the room as they stared at each other.
    Then Kurt asked, “Zoe, how are you?”
    Abruptly she stood and gave him a weak smile. “I’m doing well, Kurt. Really well.” She scanned the room. “I don’t want your coming here or the clinic to interfere with that.”
    “Neither do I. I’ll try my best to make this easy for you.”
    She nodded. She seemed about to say more, but didn’t. Instead, she inclined her head regally—he’d watched her stem numerous teenage rebellions with just that gesture—and met his gaze. “I’ll be seeing you around, then, I guess.”
    “I’m sorry, Zoe.”
    “About the clinic?”
    “That, too.”
    She shook her head, turned, walked to the door and opened it. Holding her head high, she left him. He followed her to the doorway.
    In the outer office, Kurt saw a few students talking to the financial secretary. Everybody was trying to ignore the drama that was playing itself out. Seth stood when Zoe came out, approached her, whispered something in her ear, then walked into his office. Alex Ransom rose, too, slid an arm around Zoe’s shoulders and guided her out.
    For a moment Kurt stared after her, the sense of loss so great it immobilized him. The feeling was akin to losing a patient after months of treatment. Turning, he stepped back into Seth’s office.
    “Was it hard?” Seth asked
    “Yeah.” Kurt stuck his hands in his pockets. “It was hard.” He picked up his briefcase. “Nothing I don’t deserve, though.”
    Seth’s face softened. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you, Kurt.”
    “I’m sorry I hurt her,” Kurt said roughly, and strode to the door. “See you tomorrow.” He exited the office before he embarrassed himself big time. He almost couldn’t contain what was inside him.
    o0o
    AFTER ASSURING ALEX she was fine, Zoe hurried to the safety of her classroom, barely acknowledging the greetings and good wishes from her colleagues in the hall. Once she was safely behind a closed—and locked—door, she stumbled to her desk, dropped into her chair and gulped for air. When her breath came in pants, she bent over and put her head between her knees. At last the emotion subsided, and she straightened.
    Then reality set in.
    Oh, God, she was going to have to work with him. See him. Frequently. She slapped her palm on her desk. “Damn it. Why?” She kicked the drawer. “Why? I was doing so well without him?”
    “Zoe?” Cassie stood in their connecting doorway.
    Their eyes met.
    Cassie’s were full of concern. “You know, don’t you?” Her friend came into the room and pulled up a chair. Grabbing Zoe’s ice-cold hands, she said, “I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you first.”
    “How long have you known?”
    “Kurt came over last night to tell Mitch. I wanted to call you right away, but Mitch said it was too late. Then this morning things were so rushed I thought lunch would be the best time to break the news. How’d you find out?”
    “Kurt’s here. Meeting with Seth. I walked into the office—” she held up her hands “—and bumped into him.” Quickly she related the details.
    “Son of a bitch.” Cassie’s face flamed. “I’m so sorry, Zoe.”
    “Oh, Cass, I’d like to say it doesn’t matter that he’ll be in town, but I can’t kid myself.”
    A