Page 83 of The Refiner

I narrow my eyes. “You said you were going to the office.”

“I did go to the office—just not mine.”

Oh, I see how he’s going to be. “You could have told me.”

A deep line creases his forehead. “I didn’t want to disappoint you if I couldn’t follow through.”

“Why would you disappoint—” I shake my head. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’m coming with you. We can ask your brothers if they can watch Tatum for us.”

He’s quick to respond. “No. They can’t know about this.”

“But don’t you need someone to drive you home?”

“I have it handled.” He turns to walk away, but I know him now, and know when he’s avoiding.

“You’re not going alone.” I grab his shirt and pull him to a stop. My ass he has it handled… “And you are not driving yourself home after anesthesia.” This man thinks he’s invincible.

“No.”

“Yes.” We stand there, eye to eye, him furious and me determined. “You didn’t leave me when I needed support, so I’m not leaving you.”

He works his jaw and I know he’s thinking of all those times I asked him to leave, and yet, he stayed because he knew, deep down, I needed someone.

“Don’t get mad at me,” I tell him when all he does is glare. “You’re the one who made the rules to this thing between us.”

“I don’t want my brothers to know.” His voice sounds like gravel.

“I’m sure they would be more concerned that you were trying to drive home loopy.”

“I said I have it covered.” He tries injecting a bite to his tone, but he should know he doesn’t scare me.

“Cancel whatever ridiculous plans you had and get in the car. I’ll text Halle.” Grabbing Tatum’s carrier, I take a step forward, but Astor doesn’t move.

“Or we can stand here while you brood.” I shove at his chest. “Unless we’re only there for each other when it’s at my expense.”

I wish I knew all that went through his mind in those minutes that he just stared at me; but I’m thinking it’s probably best if I don’t, since he looks like he could throw me in the back of his trunk without regret.

“Fine,” he finally clips out. “But we don’t tell Halle what we’re doing.”

Goodness. “She won’t care.”

“No.” He seems set on this condition.

“Fine. We won’t tell her.”

I understand where he’s coming from. I wouldn’t want to air my medical business out to my family and assistant either, but what if something happens and we need them to keep Tatum longer? It’s not like I know anything about this procedure or what it entails. Hell, I don’t know all that much about his infertility issues to know what the surgery is trying to fix. All I can hope is that it’s an uncomplicated process.

“Let’s go.” Without another word or even ago team,Astor grabs Tatum’s carrier and walks to his car. Within fifteen minutes, we’re at Vance and Halle’s, handing over Tatum.

“You sure you’re okay?” I knew Halle wouldn’t go for the vague question,Can you watch Tatum? We need to take care of something.Vagueness to a woman is a red flag. We like details, and know that when you leave out the details, you’re up to something.

I tried to tell Astor, but he insisted that I let him do all the talking. Therefore, leaving Halle suspicious as hell.

“We’re fine. I promise I’ll be back before dinner.”

Halle looks past Astor to me. “We can keep Tatum for the night if you need us to.”

I start to nod, but Astor grabs my hand, pulling us toward the car. “Thanks, Hal. I’ll be back soon.”

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