Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(102)

The last month had been an endless series of making connections and serving as a hostess at these special dinners. Her newly polished social skills had proved to be beneficial, as she’d brought in two new clients in the last three weeks. Her role within the firm was expanding, and while she was encouraged, she’d paid a stiff price in her personal life.

Despite his promise to give her time, Phillip had grown increasingly impatient with her schedule. She’d tried reasoning with him. He should be able to understand that this was a huge professional opportunity. It was vital that he realize how important it was for her to prove to the partners that they’d made the right decision in asking her to return. Like every other business, they wanted proof that their investment in her was going to pay the necessary dividends. It felt good to grow as a professional and see herself becoming skilled in the areas where she’d been weak before. But it was just so frustrating that there weren’t enough hours in the day for all the things she wanted in order to live the rich, full life she hoped to have. Instead she was caught in a crazy balancing act, looking to reassure the firm’s partners and at the same time maintain her relationship with Phillip and the other friends she’d made. She didn’t want to believe it was an either/or situation.

Phillip had grown distant; the emotional walls were becoming thicker and harder to penetrate. He was often sarcastic and cranky and eager to start an argument. Libby tried to be patient. She bit her tongue so often she feared it had permanent teeth marks.

His own surgery schedule had increased after one of the other surgeons opted for early retirement. The hospital was hiring a replacement, but the interview process was taking far longer than anyone had anticipated. As a result, Phillip’s workload had increased dramatically.

Phillip often phoned her between surgeries, asking her to meet him, to take time for a cup of coffee, to sneak away for lunch, or to just stop working long enough for them to connect. Each time Libby had no choice but to put him off. As much as she would have liked to spend time with him she couldn’t just walk away from the office because he had an hour or less free. She had responsibilities, too.

Twice now they’d argued so bitterly that she’d had to walk away to cool down.

“What happened to the woman I fell in love with?” Phillip demanded.

“I’m right here. Nothing’s changed,” Libby insisted.

He laughed, scoffing at her. “Are you the same woman who took time to help a pregnant teenager?”

“Of course I am.”

“When did you last speak to Ava?”

Libby clenched her fists at her sides. “She can call me, too, you know.”

Phillip just stared at her and shook his head.

And that wasn’t the end of his barrage.

“Sharon tells me that since you started work you haven’t been to the nursery even once.”

Libby had to acknowledge that she didn’t have time now to rock newborns. “I haven’t, and I miss it.”

“Sharon misses you and so do the babies. You were wonderful with them. I fell in love with you watching you sing to the babies.” His eyes grew dark and sad, as if the woman he spoke of was forever gone.

“I was unemployed. I had time on my hands. I don’t any longer; I have a job now, other responsibilities.”

He just stared at her as if he hadn’t heard a word she’d said.

“How’s Robin?” he asked next.

The question gave Libby a reason to smile. “Fine.”

“Really? When was the last time you talked to her?”

“This week,” she shot back, although now that he asked, she wasn’t completely sure. The days flew by so quickly.

What Libby didn’t mention was the sarcastic comment Robin had made the last time they’d connected. They were supposed to meet up for a drink after work and Libby had canceled at the last minute. Robin hadn’t taken kindly to being put off. It’d been the second time in as many weeks.

Now, tired as she was, Libby lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling, assessing the last few months. The days had flown, seeming to trip over one another like falling dominos. Scott’s birthday party seemed like last weekend but it was almost a month ago. Soon it would be Thanksgiving and then Christmas would be upon them.

Phillip had invited her to fly to Arizona to meet his parents for Thanksgiving. It had broken her heart to turn him down. Ironically, he hadn’t seemed the least bit troubled. He’d simply shrugged it off, almost as if he didn’t care.

The sound of her doorbell startled her. Libby sat up in bed and glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It was nearly one o’clock in the morning. The only person she could think it might be was Ava, and the thought filled her with apprehension.

Libby had connected with Ava only a few times lately and the girl wasn’t happy. She wasn’t doing well in her classes and was fighting with her grandmother. Peter’s family had put their home up for sale and had already purchased a house outside of the neighborhood.

Grabbing her robe, Libby stuffed her arms into the sleeves and tied the belt around her waist. Before she reached the front door, the doorbell chimed again. Checking the peephole, she was shocked to discover a disheveled Phillip standing in the hallway outside her door. He looked terrible. Apparently he’d been walking in the rain because what she could see of his coat was drenched. Rainwater dripped from his hair.