Page 157 of Toxic Temptation
“Liar. You’re going to the hospital to check on your patients, aren’t you?”
I cringe, red-faced and guilty. “Maybe. Just to check in. That’s not against the rules.”
“I’m not gonna bother to tell you not to do it, because I know you won’t listen,” he says, eyeing me over the rim of his mug. “But just… Be careful, okay? Don’t let Jeremy catch you.”
“That hospital was my second home growing up. If I don’t want to be seen, I won’t be.”
“V?”
I shove the pharmacy bag deeper into my purse as Charity approaches in her EMT uniform. “Hey, Char. Just getting off shift?”
“Brought in a patient,” she replies. “I asked around for you, but the nurses said you weren’t working today.”
It takes me just a minute to explain all the details about Jeremy’s latest power play. By the time I’m done, she’s as furious as Waylen was.
“What a piece of shit. You should sue him.”
“For what?”
“Emotional distress, for starters.” She points to the pharmacy sign behind me. “Why else would you need a pharmacy first thing in the morning? Loading up on antidepressants?”
“I just needed?—”
Before I can finish, she grabs the paper pharmacy bag poking out of my purse.
“Charity! That’s private.”
Her eyes widen as she pulls out a pink pack of birth control pills. Thankfully, she hasn’t noticed the Plan B pill, which has probably sunk to the bottom of my bag. But this isn’t much better.
“You’re going on the pill?” she asks, surprised.
I snatch it back and shove it deep into the nether regions of my purse. “None of your business.”
“Hello? We’re best friends? Soulmates? Everything you do is my business? Your life is mine to peruse as I please?” She follows me when I try to retreat down the hall and into the depths of the hospital. “Speaking of pleases, please tell me you’ve finally ended your dry spell. Andpretty pleasetell me it was with?—”
I stop walking so abruptly she crashes into me. “Fine. Yes. It was with Kovan. No, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just sex.”
She grabs my arm. “How was it?”
“You said you wouldn’t ask for details.”
“I lied.”
“This isn’t the time or?—”
“Oh, shit.” Charity’s face changes, all playfulness gone.
I turn to see Jeremy walking toward us. He hasn’t noticed me yet, so I could still escape. But my pride won’t let me run.
When he looks up and sees me, I expect anger. The usual scowl and red face that means I’ve crossed another line.
Instead, he goes pale. Almost green, like he’s about to throw up.
“Jeremy.” I keep my voice neutral. “I’m just checking on my patients. I won’t?—”
“Dr. Fairfax. About yesterday…” His eyes dart around like he thinks we’re being watched. “Forget what I said, okay?”
My mouth falls open. I look around, too, though I have no idea what I’m supposed to find. “Uh… excuse me?”
