Two luminous eyes stare back before disappearing into the fog.
4
NOVA
“It was a long night,but I still got here in one piece.”
Olivia listens from across the table with sympathetic hazel eyes.When she heard the tow truck this morning, she came by to check on me.I filled her in on the details as we ate lunch at the local diner.
Some of them, that is.I didn’t mention anything about wolves.Not what I saw on the highway or outside the window—or in my dreams.I can’t deny what I saw, but it makes even less sense sitting here in the daylight and almost too-hot June air.
“That’s a nasty lump.Are you sure you don’t need a few more days to recover?”Olivia reaches for a glass of water.Her hair is pulled into a messy bun, so blonde it looks white in the sun, and she’s wearing a t-shirt and jeans that reflect her down-to-earth personality.
Looking at her, it’s hard to tell she’s almost twice my age.We’ve bonded over books and feeling awkward at most social gatherings.Not all doctors are introverts, but I’m glad I get to work with someone I can relate to.
I shrug.“To be honest, I’m kinda excited to get started?You’ve probably never met someone who actually wants to work on other people’s teeth.But it’s…rewarding.I like working with my hands and helping the patients.”
I cut off a piece of fish on my plate to take a bite.Between this and the venison burger, I’m completely sold on the cuisine around here.
Olivia quirks her eyebrows.“Well, I’ve bet you haven’t met someone who can stay in their office for twenty-four hours straight researching genetic abnormalities.”
We both laugh.It’s refreshing to be able to enjoy myself after eating alone for so long.
“I knew Roen would pick a good one,” Olivia adds.
I pause mid-bite.“Roen picked me?”
She hums.“There were a few applicants who met all the qualifications.I asked him to help break the tie.He’s—well, he takes it on himself to look out for all of us.I trust his judgment.”
My resume didn’t include a photo, and the application didn’t require one.So, if he wasn’t using my appearance or my credentials, then why choose me?A wave of heat rolls through my body.It’s the same as when we made contact last night, but now it’s like he’s touching me everywhere, all at once.
I try to ignore the sweat gathering on my neck as our waitress comes to refill our drinks—a young woman in her teens with natural red hair and vibrant green eyes.
“Thanks, Cleo.”Olivia nods to her.Then she turns to me.“Let me introduce you to our new dentist, Dr.Sterling.She’ll be helping me in the clinic from now on.”
I give Cleo a small wave.Her smile falters for a millisecond as she returns the greeting.“Nice to meet you.I overheard about your accident…” She breaks eye contact to pick up our empty plates.“I hope you get better soon.”
“I’ll be all right.Just a little banged up—nothing a good meal and some rest won’t fix,” I assure her.
She brightens.“I’m not sure how dentists feel about sweets, but Roen brought back some pastries from Grandma’s—it’s a pretty famous bakery from downstate.Everyone who comes in today gets one for free.”
“That sounds delicious,” I reply.“I happen to be a dentist with a sweet tooth.”
“Two pastries coming up!”Cleo whirls and heads back into the kitchen.
“Roen seems kind of famous around here,” I muse.Heat pulses between my thighs as I remember seeing him through the broken glass.His rough hands and gentle touch.
Olivia tilts her head.“I imagine your first encounter with him was a little strange.I hope that doesn’t scare you off.Small towns can be a little quirky.”
An odd feeling nudges the back of my mind.There’s something she’s not saying.
I shift my gaze out the window.“I like the idea of living by the ocean.I wanted to explore a little more, but I can’t go very far without a vehicle.”
“Good thing you don’t need one.”
I glance back at Olivia as Cleo sets down our pastries.
“There’s a trail that leads to a stretch of beach behind the apartment—it’s rocky and the water will be cold, but that’s what you get up north.”
