Page 20 of Michael
A brief laugh escapes him. “I just ran into my brother in the hallway. He told me everything.”
“Another brother?” I blurt, immediately regretting each word.
“Looks like it.” He cracks a smile. “Uri also mentioned you asked for Jack’s number in return?” His expression goes flat while he crosses his arms over his chest. “He’s dangerous.”
What is it with these people, warding me off Jack? Jeez. Get a life! “I just need to talk to him,” I explain as calmly as I can.
“Oh. So you know him,” he adds, somewhat relieved. “I just saw baby Jack a minute ago. He’s doing great.”
“BabyJack?” I stammer.
“Sorry, I thought you knew.” He purses his lips. “He just had a kid. I’m his pediatrician.”
“He’smarried?” My eyes are all but bulging. This is getting more horrible by the minute. What’s next?
“Not exactly,” he says. “He and Sammy are trying to make things work.”
I shake my head. “It can’t be true.”
“And yet… it is?” He tilts his head, confused.
My mind is about to explode with a thousand thoughts colliding. “He’s my fated mate. My true love…” I babble to myself. “The necklace told me so!”
The doctor grabs my medical chart and does a quick scan of it, doubtfully. I’m sure he thinks I’m in need of a psychiatric evaluation. After a moment, he lays it down and declares, “I wouldn’t rely on some necklace,Amanda. And I’m sure you can choose someone better thanJack the Stripper.”
My jaw slackens. “He’s a demonanda stripper?” Fate, what the fuck?
“He used to be… ages ago. Nothing but the nickname still holds.” He chuckles and takes his time enjoying his joke. And when he’s done, he checks his wristwatch. “Listen, I gotta find those gloves. I have surgery in about twenty minutes.” The doctor’s gaze angles to the door. “Uh... Take care of that wrist now. And thanks for helping us catch that puppy.”
“It’s actually more of a kitten,” I mumble.
“Meh... It’s all the same to me.” He offers me a slight shrug of his shoulders, with a hint of mirth in his expression. “I’m Rafa,” he introduces himself. “Pleasure to meet you.”
He gives me a quick wave before exiting the room, leaving me by myself. “Nice meeting you,” I say into the empty room, “andyour family.”
CHAPTER12
Michael
When I makeit to my place and the door shuts behind me, I’m about ready to lose it, so off to the beach it is. A nice walk barefoot on the sand will surely clear my head.
I reach the deck just in time to catch the last bit of dusk tinging the sky. The salty ocean breeze usually has a calming effect on me, but not tonight. No matter how many times I try to distract myself, my mind won’t stop replaying the moment I saw her in the exam room.
I’m still not over the fact that my stomach dropped the minute I laid eyes on her delicate frame sitting on that exploration table. I couldn’t believe my luck. Somethingthat fortuitouscannot be a coincidence.
There she was with her sprained wrist. Amanda. Such a lovely name.Sheis lovely—and her fiery temper makes her simply adorable.
God knows how I longed to touch her—that the empath in me could discern Amanda’s true nature. I didn’t even get a chance, it was such a busy shift. How can there be such light within a frame of darkness?
I walk along the beach until a blanket of stars smears across the clear sky. My spirit soars as the night fills with beauty, and the fog of anger and frustration gradually fades.
I return to the deck, taking in the gentle crackle of the firepit and the woodsy smell of burning logs as it wafts through the air. It would be incredible to spend a night here with someone special. I wonder if Amanda would enjoy an evening under the stars like this.
I blink as the realization hits me. I’ve tried to deny it, but the truth is this woman, dark witch or no, has quickened my heart after the longest sleep. Uri said a vacation could help clear my head, but so far, it’s only made me understand how strong my feelings are. If I step away from it all, will my life ever go back to normal?
The question haunts me as I slip into the house, quietly shutting the sliding doors behind me.
She can’t help it—she’s in love with Jack Langley. But there’s something she doesn’t know—he’s the father of a newborn son and he has a girlfriend. How could she be so blind? I can’t bear to watch him take advantage of her, but I can’t bring myself to stop it either.
