“Thanks,” I said sarcastically.“Good to know who I need to blame.”
Oz didn’t respond, but gave me a tight smile, then turned and walked out of the room.The door hadn’t clicked shut before I grabbed my phone and dialed the number he’d given me.My pulse raced as it began to ring.
Twenty-Three
Cressida
The same number flashed on my screen.That was the third time in a row.I knew the area code, and I did not want to speak to anyone from Madison, Mississippi.I turned off my ringer on the first ring and went back to the mail that had been delivered.Sorting out the junk from the bills.Dr.Carmichael had told me that unless a catalog interested me to toss it along with all other “offers,” then leave the rest of the mail on his desk.
My eyes kept going back to my phone, like a glutton for punishment.This time, when it lit up, it was a text message.Nope.Not reading that either.If it was Bane checking in, he could ask Dr.Carmichael how I was doing.And if it was Kash … well … I was protecting myself.He only brought me heartache.I was sad enough as it was.I didn’t need for it to get worse.
“This one is a doggy treats catalog,” I told Rocket, holding it up.“We might have to give it a look and see if there is anything you might need.”
He cocked his head to the side, like he often did with his tongue hanging out, as if he was hanging on my every word.I went over to leave the doggy catalog on my desk, and he followed behind me.It was rare he wasn’t at my heels.Dr.Carmichael had said yesterday that he believed his dog would rather go home with me.I wouldn’t object, but he’d been joking.He wasn’t about to give me his dog.
Perhaps I should get one of my own.I could use the company.It was lonely in the evenings and weekends.I’d bought some decorations for the apartment with my first paycheck this past weekend, and that had given me something to do at least.
The door opened to the office, and I looked up to see Rhodes—I forgot his last name—the guy who owned the gym three doors down, walk inside.He’d brought in someone last Thursday who had hurt their wrist on one of the machines in his gym.While Dr.Carmichael was checking the injured man over, Rhodes had leaned against the counter and talked to me.
To be exact, he flirted with me.
Before he had left, he asked me if I was free on Friday or Saturday night, and I told him I had plans, which included decorating and then watchingStranger Thingson Netflix.Friday, he returned with a stack of one-week-free coupons to put out on our counter and asked what time I took a lunch.I’d told him that I had to file during my lunch hour that day.And now, he was back two hours after opening on Monday morning.
Great.I needed to think up another excuse fast.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Morning, beautiful,” he replied with a crooked grin.
It most likely worked for him a lot.That grin thing.He owned a gym.Worked out all day.He looked like a bodybuilder.His face wasn’t bad either, but I did not want anything to do with a man again.I was still broken from the only one I’d wanted.
I didn’t know how to respond to the beautiful comment, so I continued my fake smile.“How can we help you today?”Since you’re clearly not injured and you don’t have an injured client with you.
He put an elbow on the counter and leaned slightly closer to me.“I’ve got tickets toA Christmas Carolmusical currently playing at the theater.They put it on every year.You’d like it,” he said.“And I’d take you to dinner before, of course.”
He was relentless.
I was broken.
Wrong tree, pal.
“Uh, well …” I sighed.“I’m going to be honest with you.I just got out of a …” I paused.That was a lie.But how did one explain what Kash and I were?I just got shipped off here by the guy I love who no longer loves me?That just sounded pathetic.
“Relationship,” he supplied.
I hesitated, then nodded.Whatever.He didn’t need my backstory.
“Me too,” he replied.“Three years, and she left me for her ex-husband.”
Oh.Ouch.
“I’m sorry about that,” I stammered awkwardly.
“Yeah, I’m not.We had run our course.Time to move on.”He winked.“What about we just have a night out, getting to know each other?”
I glanced over at my phone to see six text messages now.“Uh, I’m sorry.There seems to be an issue.I’ve got several text messages from a friend back home.”I gave him an apologetic smile.“Maybe after I’ve had some space and time.I’m just not ready.But thank you.”
His disappointment was clear, but at least he wasn’t leaning on the counter now.“All right.But when you’re ready, I’m right down the street.”
