I ignored his playful tone, unable to see the humor in the situation.
“So, this is your office?”
“This is my office, yes,” he said, gesturing casually to the gleaming clinic around us.
My brain felt like it was short-circuiting, still catching up, and refusing to believe he was actually my worst nightmare.
He was adentist.
“Oh no.” I straightened abruptly, the paper towel slipping from my shaking hand.
Jay frowned slightly. “Oh no?”
“This can’t be happening.” The sterile scent of disinfectanthit me full force, and I suddenly felt trapped.He’s a dentist.The very thing I’d run away from.
I spun toward the door. “I, um—I have to go.”
“Wait, what?”
“I just remembered something really important I have to do at home,” I stammered, already halfway to the exit.
“Hope, slow down.”
But I didn’t. I pushed through the glass door to the outside, gulping in the mountain air, trying to get a full breath. But my heart was pounding, my fingers starting to go numb. If I didn’t get out of here, I would end up in the midst of a full-blown panic attack.
I was halfway across the parking lot when I felt his hand close gently around my wrist.
“Hey,Amapolita. Relájate,”Jay said softly. “What’s going on? Did I say something wrong?”
I turned, eyes darting to where his hand held me. The last time someone in scrubs had grabbed my arm like that, it hadn’t been gentle.
I swallowed hard. “I just—I need to get home.”
He let go instantly. “Okay. That’s fine. You just look scared.”
“I’m not,” I lied, my breath hitching. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. I hit myself in the face with a hammer. It’s just been a lot.”
Jay tilted his head, brow furrowing. “Hope, if I did something.”
“You didn’t,” I said too quickly. “Really, you didn’t. It’s me. I just—” My voice cracked, and I forced a smile, but it was more of a grimace. “I can’t do this right now.”
“Do what?” His brow furrowed, genuine bewilderment in his eyes.
Be around another dentist,I screamed in my mind.
But all I managed was, “Thanks for helping me with my tooth. I’ll get an Uber.”
Then I spun around again, having no idea where I was going—just knowing I needed to get away.
I heard him mutter something in Spanish under his breath, then his footfalls were close behind me again. “An Uber? Hope, let me take you home.”
I shook my head quickly. “No, please. I would rather you not.”
“Hope—”
I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think past the pounding in my ears.
“I’m sorry.” I knew he probably thought I was utterly insane. But I didn’t care. My fingers going numb and my tongue tingling were all I could think about. I just needed to get somewhere I could calm down.
