“The universe doesn’t work on human timelines.”
“Fair point.”
“And yes,” I added quietly. “I do. I see him. Really see him. Not just the control and the precision, but the person underneath. The one who’s scared and tired and trying so hard to be perfect that he’s forgotten how to be human.”
Fitz studied me for a long moment, and I could see the shift in his energy, from playful to serious, from teasing to understanding.
“He’s lucky to have you,” he said finally.
“The universe brought us together for a reason.”
“I’m starting to believe that.”
“Dr. Lovejoy,” Winnie tried again, her voice slightly strained. “Your patient in room three—”
“Can wait another minute. I’m having a fascinating conversation about cosmic destiny and—”
“Fitz.”
The voice came from behind me. Sharp, controlled, absolutely horrified.
I turned to see Julien standing in the doorway to the waiting room, his briefcase still in his hand, his expression one of complete and utter disbelief. Behind him stood a debonair, strikingly handsome doctor who had aged to perfection and was currently sporting an expression that ranged from amused to delighted.
“Julien!” I said brightly. “I was just meeting your colleagues. Winnie is lovely, and Fitz has been so welcoming—”
“What are you doing here?!”
It wasn’t a question.
It was a statement of pure, desperate confusion.
“Supporting you,” I simply replied. “The universe told me you needed—”
“The universe,” he interrupted, his voice very quiet and very dangerous, “needs to stop telling you things.”
“But—”
“Athena.” He walked toward me, his footsteps precise even in his panic. “We talked about this. You said you were going to explore the city.”
“I did explore! I explored my way here.”
Behind Julien, a tall man with kind eyes and graying hair was trying very hard not to laugh.
“Is this her?” he asked. “The Vegas wife?”
“Hayden,” Julien said through gritted teeth, “this is not the time.”
“Oh, I think it’s exactly the time.” The handsome man winked. “Dr. Hayden Walker, ma’am. Pleasure to meet the woman who finally broke Julien.”
“I didn’t break him,” I protested. “I’m helping him.”
“By showing up at his workplace unannounced?” Julien’s voice had risen slightly.
“By being here when you need me.”
“I don’t—” He stopped, closing his eyes, clearly counting to ten. Or possibly a hundred. When he opened them again, they landed on Fitz with the intensity of a surgical laser. “Fitz. Why are you talking to my wife?”
“Because she’sdelightful,” Fitz said, his British accent somehow getting more pronounced, like he was doing it on purpose just to irritate Julien. “And because watching you havea nervous breakdown in real-time is the most entertainment I’ve had all week.”
