Harlow: A Military Bad Boy Romance: The Bradford Brothers by Juliana Conners Page B

reason, they’re not,” he concedes.
    “Yeah. For whatever reason.”
    “Well good luck little brother. But don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.”

Chapter 31
 

     
    This morning when I get into work I call Dr. Davis first thing, before I can forget. I receive his voicemail and I leave a message, informing him of Harlow’s positive progress and asking if he would like to talk further about perhaps changing his treatment plan to be more suitable.
    I start out on some paperwork but my mind is still on Harlow. That kiss was electrifying and unlike anything I’d ever experienced with Tony or anyone else.
    I’m already wondering when it can happen again. I’m wondering what will happen if I don’t stop him next time. If I let him do all the things to me that he wants to do, and that I want him to do…
    Luckily, I have a patient coming in and I know that working with him will keep me focused. I’ve never liked the paperwork aspect of this job nearly as much as I enjoy being with the clients hands- on. My grades are good but my clinic evaluations are always top notch.
    As I work with the patient my mind continues to flutter back and forth to Harlow. Much like my heart. I’m sad that I don’t get to see him today. But I am going to play it cool and not call or text him. I watch enough romantic comedy movies to know that’s not a good idea.
    When I’m finished with the patient, I check my office voicemail only to find that I still haven’t heard back from Dr. Davis. So I walk down the hall to discuss notes and treatment plans with Lance. Secretly I also want to tell him about my “date” with Harlow, and how well everything is going.
    But after I knock on his door, he doesn’t look as happy to see me as he usually does.
    “Hello Whitney.”
    It’s such a formal greeting from him, one that I’m definitely not used to.
    “Hello Lance.”
    I try to mimic his robot- like voice.
    “Thanks for dropping in on my session with Harlow yesterday,” I continue. “I’m glad you were able to see that—”
    “Yeah, about that.” He frowns. “About this whole Harlow thing. I don’t know what’s going on between you two, and I really don’t want to know, but I just think you should be careful.”
    “I am. I haven’t…”
    “I’m not talking about sleeping with him. I’m talking about whatever you’re doing during his treatment that is contrary to Dr. Davis’ wishes.”
    “What?”
    “Look. If I knew more of what was going on, I would say more. All I know is that Dr. Davis has contacted the facility…”
    “He has? Today? Well good. I’ve been trying to reach him.”
    “That’s probably not a good idea, Whitney. Let the higher- ups deal with him. I have no idea what’s going on with him and maybe you’re right that he’s less than up front about things.”
    He takes a cautious look around, as if someone could have possibly come into his office to eavesdrop on us without us knowing. I guess he really is worried about something.
    “But apparently,” he continues, his voice dropping to nearly a whisper, “he’s not happy with Harlow’s treatment. There’s going to be some meeting about it and we’ll all know more soon. I probably shouldn’t even be telling you this much. But what I do know is that I’m to take over his treatment until this is all ironed out.”
    “You’re to… but why?”
    Despite my best efforts, my eyes well up with tears. I had thought everything was going so well in every way possible, only to find out that the exact opposite is true. I should have known not to get my hopes up.
    “I’ve done everything by the book. Harlow is excelling. I don’t understand…”
    “It’s probably better this way anyway,” Lance says. “It’s never a good idea to be so emotionally invested in a client. And this way I can protect you from any allegations of incompetence.”
    “ Incompetence ?”
    “I’m not saying that there are allegations. I’m just saying that I know you