Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Why am I not surprised that I keep running into this kid here?
“I’m Berk Morgan.” Berk shoves his hand at Dax as Tony slips away.
“Daxton Robinson.” Dax shakes his hand. “I’m a patient of Dr. Morgan’s.”
Berk shoots me a glance. I toss him one back meant to apologize for the interruption but he pushes back from the table. “I’m going to call Astrid and check in.”
“Wait.” Dax drops his hand to Berk’s forearm. “Are you her husband?”
“I am.” He stands. “I’m pretty sure your girlfriend and sister are at my house right now having dinner with my wife and her cousin.”
“What a small world.” Dax laughs. “It’s good to meet you, man.”
“You too.” Berk motions toward the bar. “I’ll make that call. Sit and talk with Gaines.”
Dax sits his ass down as Berk takes off.
“Again, I’m sorry to interrupt.” Dax kneads his hands together on top of the table. “I just need to tell someone, and since you’re my doctor.”
Concern grips me. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling all right?”
He edges back in the chair before he slides forward again. He’s a bundle of nervous energy. “Penny is the one, Dr. Morgan. I’m in love with her.”
I’m happy for him but that doesn’t explain what’s tearing him up. “What’s bothering you, Dax?”
“I’ve been keeping something from her.” His gaze darts past me. I suspect he’s looking at his parents. “I’ve been keeping it from everyone.”
I’m not a priest, but it feels like he’s about to make a confession. “I can recommend someone you can speak with. I have colleagues who are very experienced in dealing with issues related to anxiety. You may find that helpful.”
“If I tell you something it stays between us, right?” He laughs nervously. “You can’t tell anyone else about it. You took an oath, didn’t you?”
“I’m not a lawyer, Dax,” I explain. “If it’s related to your health, I’m legally bound to keep that information private unless you give me permission to share it.”
He nods. “All right. I get that. It is related to my health.”
Since we’ve finally established that, I take a sip of water and lean back in my chair. “Tell me what it is.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Eloise
“That was Berk.” Astrid rests her phone against her chest. “What is it about his voice that makes me feel so… complete.”
Stevie looks at Saylor. “That’s how we will be one day.”
“Nope.” Saylor hugs the stuffed walrus she brought with her.
She gave Stevie a walrus charm that she’s since placed on a silver chain around her neck. It’s a perfect complement to the bracelet that her parents gifted her with that she rarely takes off.
“It’ll be me when I’m thirty.” Stevie shrugs. “I put it in my life plan so I need to follow it through.”
“Okay.” Saylor nods. “I’ll say that about a boy when I’m thirty.”
I scratch the back of my neck and look at my cousin. “How is Berk?”
That’s a very roundabout way of asking if he mentioned Gaines. I’m pacing myself, though. I can ask about Berk’s cousin after I test the waters with a few more questions about Astrid’s husband.
“This is funny.” She looks toward where Penny is sitting next to the kitchen island.
“What’s funny?” I ask.
“Daxton and his folks are at Atlas 22, too.”
At least I know where to find Dr. Morgan. That’s if I wanted to find him. I don’t. I more interested in the fact that he’s not home.
“They’re having champagne.” Astrid goes on, “Berk said they haven’t ordered dinner yet so I don’t think Daddy will be home to read you a story.”
Stevie glances at the clock on the kitchen wall. “Bedtime is soon.”
Mine isn’t. I still have plenty of things planned for tonight, including breaking and entering, although I suppose it’s not classified as that when you have the key code to the apartment you want to enter.
“Is everyone still full from dinner?” Astrid asks the room.
She prepared spaghetti sauce with meatballs, and garlic toast. A garden salad accompanied it and I’m not sure how she managed it but the carrots were cut into different shapes that resembled bunny ears and hearts.
“I’m stuffed.” Saylor taps her stomach beneath the cute pink top she’s wearing. “What about you, Stevie?”
Stevie smiles. “I’m full to here.”
She cuts a line across her forehead with her hand.
That sends Saylor into a giggle fit.
“I think I need to get someone back to her brother’s apartment so she can shut her eyes.” Penny stands. “Dinner was awesome, Astrid. Thank you for doing this.”
Astrid rounds the island to take Penny in her arms. “Thank you for starting work next week. I had no idea Castle would want to leave that soon.”
“I’m so happy to do that.” Penny looks my way. “Do you want to share an Uber, Els? We can drop you off first.”
“I need to make a stop before I go home.” I move to stand, but a sudden burst of dizziness hits me. It sends me back to my chair.