He barely reacts.“What do you want, Amelia?Or should I say, Dr.Whisperer?”
“I’m not—”
“Sure about that?”He crosses his arms, his stance firm.“Seems like people in that little gossip column love to ruin reputations.”
“No one knows who’s behind it.They’re anonymous.If I find out, I’ll let you know.”
Rumor has it the gossip column came from some long-time freelancer the paper paid forty bucks an article.Nobody in the office had ever met them.They handed in their stories through a generic inbox like a phantom.
Adrian scoffs.“What kind of reporter can’t figure out who Dr.Whisperer is?Unless, of course, they are Dr.Whisperer.”
I stare at him, momentarily thrown.This accusation isn’t new, but coming from him, it stings.
“Good call, Dr.Pierce, but I’m pretty damn good at my job,” I counter.
His lips curl, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.“I’d beg to differ.A scathing article about me?Ruining my reputation further?And now, not being able to figure out who’s running that?Doesn’t scream ‘good reporter’ to me.”
I grit my teeth.I can’t believe Violet thinks I’d be interested in this guy.He despises me.
But I’m here for a reason.“So you won’t give me an interview?”
“What interview?”
I straighten my shoulders, hating having to ask him like this.“I just want to get your side of the story.”
His eyes darken as the pulse in his jaw tics.“So you can twist it?No thanks.”
He turns to leave, and in a moment of desperation, I reach out, catching his arm.My fingers meet solid muscle, and my brain short-circuits.His bicep flexes under my touch.I wasn’t expecting this level of muscle from a doctor, let alone noticing how good he feels, but I do.
Adrian stills, his gaze dropping to where my hand lingers.My pulse spikes.I drop my hand like I’ve been burned.
“Please,” I try again, my voice softer now.
His nostrils flare.“No.I also read your recent article about the welcome party.”
I pretend I don’t know exactly which part he’s referring to.“That was nice, right?”
His eyes narrow.“You keep finding little ways to dig at me.If I agreed to an interview, you’d do it again.I’m not giving you the chance.Not at my expense.”
He turns and walks away, his long strides eating up the pavement.
I stand there, watching him disappear into the night, trying to ignore the fact that, despite everything, I can’t stop looking at him.
Chapter 8
Adrian
Iyankopenthecar door and slide into the driver’s seat, gripping the wheel tightly, refusing to look back.
Every article she writes about me is full of bullshit, twisting the truth to fit whatever story she’s after.And now she wants my side?Yeah, right.She doesn’t actually care… This is just another opportunity for her to build her name, to add another dramatic piece to her collection.
I rub my temples as exhaustion settles deep in my bones.It’s been a long day, and I don’t have the patience for this.What I do need to figure out is how the hell I’m going to get the hospital the money for the CT.
Starting the engine, I pull out of the parking lot, driving slow.But as I pass the hospital entrance, a flicker of movement catches my eye.
She’s still there.
Standing beneath the streetlamp, arms crossed, shifting on her feet.She’s watching me.Waiting.
