Page 149 of Love Sick

“Fine.” I motion for her to continue. “Say it.”

“My brother is a both-feet-first kind of person. I’m certain he told you how he feels, so let me highlight the gravity of that. When that boy loves, it’s fierce. I’ve never heard him talk about a breakup the way he’s talked about this one.”

My heart speeds, but I keep my expression neutral.

Tori stands, face sharpening into unadulterated fury. “That’s how I know this is the real deal for him. If you ever decide you want him, he’ll come back. I’m telling you right now that if you do that, you better be real fucking sure he’s what you want. If you break him again, I will cut you into pieces so small they won’t even know it’s human until they test the DNA.”

I blink.

Tori smiles the fake smile once more, eyes cold. “We good?”

“Yeah. We’re good.”

“Bye, Gracey.” She slams the door.

* * *

Instead of the GYN surgery month I was originally assigned for April, I’m covering most of Raven’s L&D shifts. As I step into the resident lounge at TUMC for lunch, a familiar figure standing near the drink station makes me grin. “Hey, Asher.”

He looks up, usual smile in place. “Hey, Gracey-poo.”

“What are you doing here?”

He grabs a coffee cup and slides it under the automatic machine. “Just finished a hyst with Levine.”

I eye the brew that comes from the machine. “You trust that stuff?”

He lifts a shoulder. “Better than nothing.”

“I disagree.” I pointedly snatch a foam cup and fill it with Mountain Dew.

He chuckles.

After I load a plate with a meager banana and dollop of mashed potatoes—the only part of the complimentary lunch offering that appears edible—I take a seat beside him. We’re early so the room is nearly empty.

“How have you been, Asher? I feel like I’ve barely seen you lately.”

He sips his coffee. “You’ve been a little preoccupied, I think.” He smiles when I shoot a curious glance his way. “I’ve been fine.”

“Good.” I take a bite of potatoes and grimace. Ugh. That’s awful.

Laughing, he leans forward onto the table. “Yeah. I avoid the food here when possible.”

“I heard you signed a contract near Houston. Private practice?”

He bobs his head. “Yep.”

“Aw.” I smile. “I’m so happy for you. I’ll miss you, though.”

He tilts his head. “Will you?”

I pause in peeling the banana to stare at him. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

He studies my face. His brown eyes have a ring of green at the outer rim. How have I never noticed that?

He gives his head a slow shake. “You have no idea, do you?”

Um. Huh?“No idea about what?”

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