Page 34 of The Potter

“What?”

“I’m serious about what I said.”

I grip the door until my knuckles turn white.

“I’ll be in the OR with you. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Halle

Anineties playlist and a venti latte later, and I’m still pissed.

Didn’t I tell Vance that I no longer wanted the surgery? I’m pretty sure I did, and yet, he put me back on his calendar as soon as we arrived to work this morning. Without saying a word!

This man is allergic to not getting his way.

“Dr. Potter will want you to change into a gown.”

I glare at Serena, who has been giving me the stink-eye since I walked in this morning. “Thank you, Serena. I’ll consider Dr. Potter’s wishes when he—”

The door opens, revealing the dark head of wavy hair and haunted eyes. “Ms. Belle. How are you feeling this morning?”

I’m feeling like God knew Vance would need to be hot because the personality he strapped him with will end up getting him junk-punched. Multiple times.

Before I flash him a fake smile, I address the second pain in my ass this morning. “That will be all, Serena.”

I could swear Dr. Potter’s mouth twitches.

“I don’t answer to you,” Serena snaps, her lips turning down into a pout that Dr. Potter ignores.

“It’s okay, Serena,” Vance soothes. “I’ll be out in a moment.”

More like he’ll be out in a matter of seconds. This appointment will not take the allotted half hour he booked.

Serena huffs, giving me one last glare before she pulls the door closed behind her, leaving me and the beast alone. Hopefully, for the last time.

“Don’t bother sitting,” I say, still staring at the door. “You aren’t staying. As I said yesterday, I no longer require your services.”

Vance chuckles, and the sound snaps my head to where he perches on the exam table, one leg kicked up on the step. “I think that’s the first time someone has ever told me,” his voice lowers, and his eyes grow colder, “what to do inmyexam room.”

Okay, so maybe that wasn’t the best way to start this conversation. “My apologies, but it seems like you need further instructions in this particular situation since you decided to make another appointment for me to tell you the exact thing I did yesterday. As you said, your time is expensive, and this appointment is a waste of those precious hours.”

I hadn’t planned to be such a shit, but this man needs someone to remind him that he is not the Messiah.

Rising, Vance sighs, a seductive smirk pulling up his lips. “Ms. Belle, what am I going to do with you?”

“Stop making me ridiculous appointments?” I suggest.

His steps are confident as he strides closer to where I’m standing by the sink. “You see, normally, I would agree with you, but unfortunately, it seems you’re incapable of making sensible decisions on your own.”

I snap, taking a step forward so I’m in his face. “You don’t know me!”

He grabs my hand, wrapping it in his. When did I point at him?

“Don’t I?” His brows rise. “Halle Elaine Belle, born December twenty-third in Cordele, Georgia.”

I narrow my eyes and try pulling my hand free, but he doesn’t let go. “You could have read that in my chart.”

Like I didn’t speak, his intense gaze steadies on mine. “You have a pet goldfish, who traveled here to Texas with you, only to move into a dump, six miles from my office.” He pushes forward, pinning my arm to my chest. “What were your plans post-surgery, huh? Who’s going to help you with recovery?”

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