Page 41 of Not Dating Material

“Xander,” he says in a smooth voice. “You’ve been bitten, and your body is simulating anaphylaxis, is that correct?”

Xander hurries to nod.

“I’m going to inspect the bite. Do you understand?”

Xander nods again.

“On his ankle,” I say.

Derek throws me a quick smile before inspecting Xander’s ankle. He shines a penlight on it before wiping over the site with an antibacterial wipe. The whole time, I’m expecting Derek to brush it off, to tell Xander he’s fine and to go home, but he takes his time.

“I need you to open your mouth so I can look inside. Can you manage that?”

Xander’s jaw drops open. Derek inspects from Xander’s tongue all the way to the back of his throat. Then he listens to Xander’s pulse rate.

“Okay.” Derek pulls a stool over to sit on. “After a thorough inspection, I’ve determined that you’re not going into anaphylaxis shock. There’s no closure of the throat, your tongue size hasn’t increased, and the bite you’ve experienced looks to be that of a mosquito.”

“A … a mosquito?”

“Correct.”

Xander’s gasping takes a minute, but he manages to get it under control. He’s pale and drawn as he wraps his arms around himself. “You’re sure?”

“I am.”

A shudder runs through him. “Why am I like this?” Xander’s voice breaks, and he bows over, sobbing into his knees.

I’m about to start forward when Derek leans in closer and sets his hand on Xander’s back. “You’re in a safe space here. There’s no judgment.”

“I’m judging me.”

“Xander.” Derek’s tone hardens, and Xander finally looks up again. His eyes are red, and makeup is smeared under them.

“You are safe,” Derek reminds him. “You are in control.”

His voice is weak when he says, “Okay.”

Derek drops his voice some more. “Have you done what we talked about? Did you call her?”

“I did, but I don’t have the money. She’s expensive.”

“All psychologists are expensive.”

Xander glances at Derek, face twisting into a dark expression I’m not used to seeing on him. “And that’s why I’m still a headcase.”

“What have I said about calling yourself that?”

Xander’s empty gaze slides to me. “You agree with me, don’t you, Molly?”

And while I think Xander’s a lot of things—sweet, broken, confused, adorable—I don’t think he’s that.

I shake my head. “Actually, I think you’re really brave.”

Apparently, that’s the right thing to say because Derek gives me a soft smile as Xander buries his face into his knees.

“Where’s Seven?”

“At work.”

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