Page 52 of The Potter

“Why?”

His words are so matter-of-fact. “I know everything about everyone in this office… except you.”

“You know more about me than most,” I counter. After all, he has my entire history in a manila file in his office, not to mention he’s had a close encounter with my lady bits.

“Well, all I know right now is that you look peaked and nervous in Duke’s office.” He tugs at his tie, giving it a nice yank. “And it’s distracting.”

Please.

I roll my eyes. “My apologies for the distraction, Dr. Potter. I simply needed Duke’s help, but no worries, I can manage without him.”

I step back, turning for the door. Surely, Serena can come down from her twat throne and help me with scheduling a flight? But then I remember this morning’s coffee incident and reconsider. Dr. Potter seems amenable today. Perhaps he wouldn’t fire me over a simple lack of knowledge. Astor never used the jet before, so it’s not like I would know how to schedule a flight on my own.

But more importantly… “I need a sedative,” I blurt out, enjoying the shock that passes over Vance’s face.

“I’m sorry. Come again?” He’s adorable when he loses his grip on control.

“I said, I need a sedative.” Sighing, I wring my hands as I explain. “Astor asked me to bring a box of pamphlets to him in Napa.” I wave my hands between us. “You know he’s at the plastic surgeon’s conference, and he forgot the pamphlets. He wants me to bring them to him in the company jet, but I don’t know how to set it up, nor have I ever flown.” I take a breath. “I can ask Serena about the scheduling, but that won’t get rid of the nausea currently going on in here.” I motion to my stomach, just in case he needs a visual.

Vance watches me intently, his gaze narrowed on my face. “You’re nervous about the plane?” he asks slowly, like I may break if he speaks too quickly.

“I’m nervous about flying in general,” I admit with a shrug.

Continuing to stare, Vance watches me carefully before stepping behind me. Closing the door, he leans back against it, giving me all of his attention while worrying that expensive tie between his fingers once more. “You’ve never flown before?”

At least he doesn’t sound shocked.

“No,” I explain. “Not since the accident. But even then, it was a helicopter, and I was sedated.” I don’t go into detail about how flying takes me back to the day I nearly died. When my entire life changed in an instant.

“I forgot the Georgia girl doesn’t travel.” Dr. Potter’s voice interrupts my spiral into memories best left alone.

“She doesn’t.” I offer him a small smile. “That’s why she needs a sedative, so she doesn’t vomit all over the pamphlets when she finally figures out how to schedule the jet.”

He’s still examining me so closely, I think he’s not going to answer me, but then he comes through as usual. Rude. “I’m not prescribing you a sedative.”

I really should have known. I don’t know why I even bothered explaining the situation to him. “Okay, thanks anyway.” I try to keep the disappointment from my words and reach for the door handle.

He doesn’t move. He simply stays put, watching me curiously. “What time does he need you in Napa?”

My heart speeds up. “Four.”

Finally, Vance pushes off the door, his masculine scent of leather leaving me a little lightheaded. “I’ll have Serena schedule the flight, and I’ll meet you in my office in two hours,” he says, opening the door for me.

“Two hours?”

His eyebrows rise. “Two. Don’t be late.”

“But…” What’s happening here?

“But what?” Dr. Potter is back to his hateful self again.

“What if I throw up on you?”

He chuckles, guiding me out the door with a hand on the small of my back. “You won’t.”

He sounds so sure. “You decided to give me a sedative after all?”

“No.” His eyes harden. “You’re going to see the West Coast completely sober.”

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