Ricks grins. “I’m very glad to meet you, Mrs. Teager.”
Tipping his head to the side, he takes off.
19
ZANE
I think life comes in moments. Some happy, some sad, some scary, and some where everything stills before you. And right now, that’s exactly how I feel.
Rick smirks as he places the coffee mug before me after removing the lid. “That’s specially for you, boss.” That fucker doesn’t even try to whisper.
All eyes zoom in on the lipstick mark.
I try to hold back the smile that feels like it’s crawling up from my chest. But I’ve no idea how successful I am. The entire med team looks at me with a mix of bewilderment and awe as I hold the cup close to my lips.
The meeting continues, and for the first time I’m more excited to leave the conference room than be in it.
I can’t wait to call Vienna.
Finally, Kristy shares her findings about the new start-up that’s catching the M&A department’s eye. I mentally draft a plan on how we should start our assessment.
When the meeting ends, I collect my iPad and the empty coffee cup, but before I can get up, Kristy flops down on the empty chair next to me.
The rest of the staff leaves, and it’s finally just us. When I think she wants to discuss some finer details with me, she says, “Is Vienna worried about you?”
Her head motions toward the cup still held safely in my hand, and then she points toward my neck.
I smile. “I don’t th-think she’s w-worried. She jus-st wants to s-stake her claim.”
She bursts into laughter. “I love her.”
“Me too.”
While the smile on Kristy’s face continues to grow, my heart has fucking stopped. I try to convince my brain that those two words are just part of this facade. But believing that is becoming harder.
After closing my office door, I check my cell phone, and there’s a text from Vienna.
Vienna: Does your staff now know you’re taken?
And amidst all the thundering inside me, I can’t help my smile.
Me: Yeah. Your claim is loud and clear.
* * *
In the evening, I park outside Steamy Beans. Vienna is waiting for me on the steps while the café is already closed.
“Wh-when does your sh-shift end?” I ask as she hops in the car.
“Two hours ago.” She grins before looking ahead at the golden sky of sunset.
“W-were you alone? Why d-didn’t you call me earlier?” I’m pissed at myself for not knowing her work schedule, but also scared. As much as I don’t want to think about it, she has now passed out a few times, and I can’t forget last night’s episode. Even Dr. Allen said I need to be watchful when I called and told him about last night.
“Calm down.” She places her hand over my arm, and I realize I’m gripping the wheel too tight. “Ivy was with me until half an hour ago. We experimented on some lattes and gossiped about you.”
“M-me?” I don’t know how I feel about her discussing me with her best friend.
“Of course. You’re the most interesting thing in my life these days, husband,” she says and then rests her head on my shoulder as I drive us extra slow through the streets of Cherrywood toward our home.