"You''re wee." As Eleanor reached the door, she felt the need to make her point more forcefully. "You might not regret this now, but there''s no guarantee you won''t in the future. After all, it''s your life. Wasting it on me..... is stupid."


    She finished with that one blunt word.


    His response left her speechless. He did have the right to decide how to live his life, just as she had decided hers.


    "Are you free tomorrow?"n suddenly asked in a low voice.


    Eleanor looked at him with a frown. "Do you need something?"


    "Come y golf with me tomorrow," the man said unexpectedly. "You know I don''t y." Nor did she have any interest in it.


    "I can teach you,"n said with a raised eyebrow.


    "No, thanks," Eleanor refused.


    "Do you remember owing me a favor for saving Mansfield Ellington? I''ve decided to cash it in. Tomorrow, I want Dr. Sutton to spend the day with me. From the moment we drop off our daughter at school until it''s time to pick her up, your time belongs to me,"n stated, his tone low and demanding.


    Eleanor was taken aback for a second. But using one day to repay that favor... it actually sounded like a good deal.


    At least it was better than letting him hold that favor over her head and use it to make a more difficult requestter on.


    After a quick mental calction, Eleanor agreed decisively. "Fine, I ept."


    A glimmer of a smile crossedn''s eyes. "Great. I''ll pick you up tomorrow after we drop Evelyn off."


    Eleanor finally stepped out of his apartment. Ian closed the door, walked back to the table, picked up the box of stomach medicine, and put it away in a cab. He didn''t need it at all.


    Back in her own home, Eleanor wondered whyn had used his favor so readily. It didn''t seem to fit his usual calcting style.


    Still, being even with him was exactly what she wanted.


    The next morning,n came over to take their daughter to school. Afterward, he turned to Eleanor and said be back to pick you up in a B


    "I know," she replied.


    Evelyn Goodwin asked curiously, "Daddy, are you taking Mommy somewhere fun?"


    "I''m taking her to y golf,"n told his daughter.


    Evelyn''s big eyes sparkled, and she shed a bright, toothy grin, clearly happy about it.


    After dropping off his daughter,n returned to theplex. Eleanor had already changed into somefortable athletic wear.


    At 8:30 AM, her doorbell rang.


    Eleanor opened the door to findn standing there. He was dressed in


    navy blue golf attire that


    entuated his tall, fit frame. In the


    morning light his silver-white hair seemed less cota, giving him a refreshed look.


    He handed her a bag. "For you."


    Eleanor took it and saw a brand-new white women''s golf outfit inside,plete with a hat and gloves.


    "You don''t have to. I can just wear my own clothes," Eleanor said, not wanting to ept it.


    "The club has a dress code. Go change. I''ll wait for you in the garage,"n said, then turned and left.


    Eleanor sighed in frustration but ultimately went back to her room to To


    e into the well-made met


    her surprise, it fit perfectly


    Seeing her dressed up, Joslyn couldn''t help but smile. "Ma''am, you look so sharp today!"


    Eleanor smiled back. "I won''t be home for lunch."


    "Okay!" Joslyn said, still beaming. She knew Eleanor was going out withn today.


    She had been hoping their rtionship could go back to the way it was.


    Eleanor got inton''s car. His eyes visibly brightened, and heplimented her without hesitation. "It looks great on you."