“I even redid myself. What do you think? I remember how you said you like Angelina Jolie’s mouth, so I got it for you!”
“You got—”
“And Natalie Portman’s nose, and those boobs you were eyeing when we watched that cheerleader movie that time.” She pushes the enhanced mammaries against me, making them impossible to ignore. “I had my floating ribs removed, like Cher…”
I stare in horror. She piecemealed a face and body together out of random features I said were pretty? Is she insane?
Stupid question. She is insane. Certifiably. Everyone knows this. The only reason she isn’t locked up somewhere is her parents. They’re overly loving parents, and they’ve hired a great legal team to protect her.
“Georgette, I’m working. And this is a hospital. You need to let me get on with my job,” I say, forcibly separating our bodies.
“Working?” she whines, stumbling back a step. “But why? You have all the money. Just tell Justin to take care of whatever it is.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. If she were a man, I’d punch her in the face, just to shut her up. Justin takes care of the profit-generating side of the family business, and I deal with the charitable portion. That isn’t changing, not for her, not for anybody.
Evie steps closer to us. “You need to go,” she says to Georgette.
I wince. Evie doesn’t have to get involved in this madness, and Georgette is most definitely an equal-opportunity bitch.
“Who the hell asked you?” Georgette glares at Evie. “The hired help doesn’t get to talk unless addressed first.”
Evie’s jaw drops. Red colors her cheeks, but this time it’s an angry red.
“Georgette, shut up. If you aren’t sick—and I mean physically sick—then you need to leave,” I say furiously. I’m seriously embarrassed for her. And at myself for having dated her. I was young and stupid, thinking with my dick more than anything else.
“I’m not going anywhere without you!”
Her whiny voice makes me clench my teeth until it feels like I’m going to chip a tooth. Thankfully, security has finally arrived.
“Take this trash out,” I say coldly, gesturing at Georgette.
The guards approach her.
“No, stay away! He and I are meant to be!”
She launches herself at me again, but I’m quicker this time. I sidestep, and Georgette flails, off balance. She screams when the guards grab her arms, but I don’t hire donut munchers for security. They start to drag her away.
“Nate, don’t let them do this to us! I’m going to have you, no matter what! We’re destined! Fated, like Troilus and Cressida!”
Slapping my hand over my eyes, I grind my teeth. Georgette and her degree in classical literature. Are our attorneys good enough to get me off on a technicality if I kill her? It wouldn’t even be murder, just self-preservation. She’s a soul- and money-sucking monster who’ll drain me of life if I let her.
Robbie clears his throat. “I apologize. That was…um…unfortunate.”
“Yes. Very,” I say tightly. My schedule isn’t exactly a national secret, but how the hell did she find out that I was going to be here? When I find out who told her, they’re fired, effective immediately.
I inhale deeply and force myself to relax. “But it’s done now. Let’s continue.” I’m not letting Georgette derail my agenda.
The rest of the visit is uneventful. Everything is as described in the reports. Robbie runs a tight ship. Doctors and nurses—at least the ones we see—treat patients with compassion and patience. We screen them carefully to ensure that they’re dedicated to helping people, rather than just fattening their bank accounts, although the center pays well.
I thank Robbie for his time, commend his staff on a job well done and leave with Evie. She didn’t say a word after Georgette got dragged away. But she must have a lot on her mind. She’s never been this quiet during an inspection before.
When we’re back on the road toward the office, I say, “You can tell me what you think, Ms. Parker.”
She looks at her tablet, as though needing to consult her notes. “I’m thinking the Sterling Medical Center is in good hands.”
“Really? That’s all?”
She shrugs. “You don’t think Robbie’s good?”