Chapter 4
4
AMELIA
A rriving in Key West felt like stepping into a dream.
The moment the plane touched down on the private landing strip, I just knew I was in paradise.
Outside the window were blue skies and palm trees swaying in the breeze.
I could almost taste the salt in the air.
I walked down the steps and couldn’t help but feel a little off kilter.
Maybe it was the flight, or maybe it was the fact that I’d spent the last hour in close quarters with him .
Jared Welch. The man was a walking contradiction—insanely attractive, yes, but also brash, abrasive, and so inflated by his own ego that I was surprised he didn’t float away.
I watched him stride off the landing strip toward a row of warehouses, his posture relaxed but purposeful, like he owned the place.
Which, I guess, he did.
His fingers had been flying over the keys of his laptop during the flight.
I’d caught myself staring at his profile more than once.
It was infuriating. I didn’t even like the guy, but there was something about the way he moved, the way he carried himself, that was impossible to ignore.
I was attracted to confident people.
And it was no secret Doctor Welch had every right to be confident.
In the neuro world, he was akin to a god.
I knew I was in the presence of greatness.
Too bad he was such an asshole.
I shook my head, trying to clear the thought.
I needed to chill. Focus.
This was my dream job, and I wasn’t going to let my arrogant boss distract me.
I didn’t have to like him.
I just wanted to learn from the other brilliant staff and do my research.
If I could pick up a few things from him, awesome.
But if not, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.
Clair’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
She was practically screaming at Shawn, who was walking away with Jared.
“You owe me a drink!”
Shawn just waved her off with a laugh.
I knew people. I studied human behaviors.
Those two were clearly attracted to one another.
I wondered if there was a history between them.
Or maybe it hadn’t happened yet.
Clair turned to me, her face lighting up.
“Come on,” she said, gesturing to a golf cart parked nearby.
“I’ll give you the grand tour.”
I grabbed my luggage—a single suitcase and a laptop bag—and followed her to the cart.
As we drove through the campus, the feeling returned that I had stepped into another world, a better one where curious minds figured out how to make the world healthier.
Welch Labs was massive, with several huge buildings dedicated to surgery and research, all sleek and modern, surrounded by lush greenery.
We passed a park, and Clair explained that it was a family-friendly area, but there was also a beach-side cantina and a few restaurants that could get rowdy.
“There are lots of social events too,” she added, grinning.
“Some of us nerds know how to have a good time. You’ll love it here.”
I nodded, trying to take it all in.
It was overwhelming, but in the best possible way.
This was everything I’d worked for, everything I’d dreamed of.
And then Clair pulled up to a row of condos in the residential area and parked the cart.
“This is you,” she said, gesturing to one of the buildings.
“Us, technically.”
I was pleasantly surprised.
When the job details offered housing, I was expecting dorms. Or some rundown flat.
This seemed lovely. I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high, though.
The inside could be less impressive.
She grabbed my suitcase and led the way while I carried my laptop and purse.
My eyes scanned the area, trying to take it all in.
“Not a bad place to work and live,” I said.
“It’s the best,” she said, opening the door.
“Now, the keys should be on the counter.”
I followed her inside, my heart pounding.
The condo was incredible.
Two bedrooms, a spacious living area, and a kitchen that looked like it belonged on a spaceship.
The walls were painted in blue so light it almost looked like a cloud.
The furniture was modern but comfortable.
But the real showstopper was the view.
Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the ocean.
I felt like I could see forever.
Clair led me out to the back patio.
I gasped. The ocean stretched out before me, endless and blue, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was like music.
I couldn’t believe this was where I would be living.
A spit of land jutted out into the water, and atop it perched a huge building, all glass and steel and modern lines.
It seemed to glow in the fading light, like a beacon calling me home.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Is that another surgery center? Or a clinic?”
Clair followed my gaze and laughed.
“Oh, that’s Jared’s house.”
I blinked, surprised.
“That giant place is just for him?”
She shrugged.
“Yeah.”
“He lives here? Full time?”
“Yep,” Clair said, nodding.
“He’s here most of the year, unless he’s traveling for conferences or surgeries. A lot of people think he runs a cult out here, but in reality, he’s just a pioneer of neurosurgery with the best research lab in the world.”
I snorted.
“A cult? Really?”
Clair shrugged.
“People love to talk. But you’ll see—this place is amazing. And you’re going to love working here. We’re like a little community. It’s safe, clean, and the people are friendly. It’s like our little family.”
I nodded, still trying to process everything.
Clair gave me a quick tour of the rest of the condo, then handed me the keys.
“Settle in,” she said.
“I’m right next door, so if you need anything, let me know. Oh, and if you need a golf cart, just say the word, and I’ll have one delivered. The campus is huge. Walking is great, but sometimes we get a downpour, and you have to get to the lab. The golf cart will save your hair and your shoes.”
“Is the weather always this perfect? Because if so, I might never leave.”
Clair chuckled, shaking her head.
“Oh, honey, don’t get too attached to ‘perfect.’ This is Florida. It’s like living inside a sauna half the year. You’ll be praying for a little rain by August. And don’t even get me started on hurricane season.”
“Hurricanes?” I raised an eyebrow, half-joking.
“Should I stock up on canned goods and bottled water now?”
“Nah.” She waved a hand dismissively.
“We’ve got a solid evacuation plan here. The lab’s been through worse. But yeah, you’ll want to keep an eye on the weather reports once June hits. And invest in some good waterproof boots—the streets flood faster than you can say ‘tropical storm.’”
I laughed softly, shaking my head.
“Got it. Sauna-like heat and hurricanes. Anything else I should know? Sharks? Poisonous snakes?”
Clair smirked, leaning in like she was about to share a juicy secret.
“Well, yes and yes. And since you asked… there’s also the alligators.”
I blinked at her, mouth gaping.
Clair’s smirk widened, and she burst out laughing.
“Relax, Amelia! I’m messing with you. No alligators on the compound. At least, not yet.” She winked.
“But seriously, you’ll be fine. Just don’t go wandering into the mangroves alone at night, and keep your head on a swivel if you’re ever walking a dog by the water. Gators seem to think all pets are lunch.”
I exhaled dramatically, pretending to wipe sweat from my brow.
“Good to know. I’d hate to start my dream job only to become gator bait.”
Clair grinned, clearly enjoying herself.
“You’ll fit in just fine here,” she said, patting my shoulder.
“Now, go unpack and get settled. You have to promise you’ll meet me for drinks and dinner tonight at the cantina on the water.”
“I’ll be there,” I said even though I was still feeling a little overwhelmed.
After she left, I took a deep breath and looked around.
This was my home now.
My home . I’d lived with my grandparents in a run-down flat my entire life, sharing a room with my mom until I left for college.
This place—this mansion —felt like a dream.
My eyes drifted to Jared’s house on the water.
I couldn’t even begin to imagine how big his house was.
At least five stories.
I honestly thought it was a hotel.
I spent the next hour unpacking my clothes, which didn’t take long.
I didn’t have much, but with my new salary, I could probably afford to start buying the designer things I’d always wanted but never allowed myself to have.
I put my toiletries in the bathroom and then checked out the kitchen.
It was stocked with some basic cookware and dishes.
The fridge was filled with bottles of water and some juices.
It was hard to believe this was all just for me.
I felt like royalty.
I went back into the bedroom to change out of my skirt and into something a little more casual.
I slipped into a sundress that was loose and flowy with a corset-style top that gave me a bit of an hourglass.
I checked the time. I still had a while before I needed to meet Clair, so I decided to make a phone call.
I dialed the number and waited, my heart pounding.
When the person on the other end answered, I took a deep breath.
“Hi, it’s me,” I said.
“Just checking in. Is she doing okay?”
“She’s doing just fine,” the woman said.
I ran a hand over my face, trying to push the worry away.
There was nothing I could do right now.
I needed to focus on my new life.
I hung up and took a deep breath, then grabbed my bag and headed out the door.
The walk to the cantina was beautiful.
The sun was setting, but unlike back home, the air was still warm and balmy.
It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, and for a moment, I felt at peace.
But then I heard a familiar laugh, and my stomach dropped.
I turned toward the sound and saw Clair waving at me from a table near the water.
She was seated with Shawn…
and Jared. My heart sank.
Of course he was here.
Why wouldn’t he be? Clair pulled out a chair for me, right next to Jared.
It would be rude to turn around and walk right back to my condo.
The guy was my boss and the job was too amazing to jeopardize it with impoliteness.
I forced a smile and walked over.
Jared was leaning back in his chair, a drink in his hand, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
I could feel his gaze like a physical touch.
It made my skin prickle, but not unpleasantly.
“Amelia,” Clair said, grinning.
“You made it! Sit, sit.”
I sat down, trying to ignore the way Jared was looking at me.
The man made me feel like I was naked on his exam table.
“Thanks,” I said, keeping my smile glued on.
“This place is amazing.”
“Isn’t it?” Clair said, beaming.
“Wait until you try the food. It’s incredible.”
I nodded, trying to focus on Clair and Shawn, but I could still feel Jared’s eyes on me.
I glanced at him. For a brief second, our eyes met.
He smirked, raising his glass in a silent toast. I felt a flash of irritation.
This fucking guy.
But as much as I wanted to dislike him, I couldn’t deny the pull I felt.
He was infuriating, yes, but his eyes burned with curiosity when he looked at me, like I was a math problem to be solved.
I kept wanting to look back into that gaze and try to see past the arrogance.
My eyes stayed on everyone else, though.
I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing I was curious about him as well.
I hated that I was drawn to him, and right then and there, I promised myself I would stay as far away from him as possible.