Page 16 of Dr. Brandt

Chapter Eight

Jessa

It felt strange to let my mother-hen instincts take over and barge into Cameron’s office like I did, demanding to speak to him like some deranged woman at a department store who wanted to speak to the manager, but I shoved that to the side. Being told it would be another six months before my son could see Dr. Tsang was the straw that broke this mama camel’s back. That truth, however, didn’t make me feel like any less of an ass at the moment.

After hanging up with Cameron, I was escorted to his office, where my insecurities pulsated through me with every tick of the clock as I waited for him. I had two options: I could run out of here and act like nothing ever happened, or I could face the consequences of my Entitled Woman of the Year stunt.

“I’m such a dumb ass,” I softly mumbled as I rested my face in my hands.

“I beg to differ,” I heard Cameron say with a hint of sympathy.

I snapped my head up, and my eyes met his deep blue ones. “Cam,” I said with relief, and that’s when the tears started streaming down my face.

After endless worry about Jackson’s seizures returning with no help in sight, I finally broke down. Perfect timing, too.

I felt my skin burning with the touch of his familiar hand tenderly smoothing over my back. “Jess?” he questioned, making me raise my head to see him kneeling in front of me with a look of concern.

“I’m sorry,” I managed with a sniff and a smile. “I don’t know what possessed me to think I could insist upon you seeing my son like this. I’m embarrassed and feel like a fool.”

Cameron tilted his head to the side and licked his enticing lips. “I like to refer to that as motherly instincts.” He winked, and my heart rate sped up. He always had a way of dazzling me.

You’re engaged to Warren! I internally scolded myself.

“I like to refer to it as that too.” I rose, and Cameron stood, towering over me, as I managed to succeed in the desperate act of pulling my shit together. “I know there is a process for all of this—trust me, I get that—but I’m desperate, Cam,” I said, my eyes fixed on his and my voice set with steady determination.

“I understand that. I also know you well enough to know that it would take a monumental situation to bring you into my office like this,” he softly chuckled, most likely remembering the young college girl he dated who was once filled with drive and fearless grit. “Where’s your boy?” he asked, glancing around his empty waiting area.

“He’s with my fiancé. They’re packing at the hotel and,” I glanced at the silver watch on my wrist, “most likely headed back to New York on a flight that leaves in three hours.”

Cameron frowned. “Without you?”

I nodded, thinking about how irritated Warren would get when I did impulsive things like this. In fact, I knew Warren would be on that flight, probably insisting to my son that I was a fool to believe Cameron would make any effort to help me. Warren had always liked to brag about how he was better at making decisions because of his logical way of thinking—his business sense.

Warren and I typically had a very low-key, easy relationship. But it seemed like ever since the going got tough because of the seizures, he disapproved of my reactions. I guess it was easy to be in a relationship where nothing was ever really happening—it was not so hard to be compatible while coexisting peacefully. I couldn’t say I was a fan of Warren’s behavior since the seizures started again, though. We were totally out of step, constantly butting heads, and I was in no mood for someone to be tripping me up while I was trying so desperately to get ahead and be proactive for my kid. I didn’t appreciate the implication that I was behaving hysterically, and Warren seemed plugged into that idea for some reason.

“If we leave now, we can catch them at the hotel,” Cameron said, bringing me out of my thoughts and back to the issue at hand.

“Let me text Warren and figure out where he’s at.”

“Great idea, tell them to meet us here. That way, I can chat with your son and give him an unofficial evaluation to get him on the books.” He smiled at me as I waited for Warren’s text or call back. “Since I’m not accepting new patients, you’re lucky you’re still the only beautiful woman who can bend me to her will with just a look.” He grinned, the soft black beard on his face trimmed to perfection, bringing out the sparkle in his eyes.

“Thank God I still have that effect on you,” I shot a smile right back at his handsome face and felt the old Jess return, insecurities gone in that second.

“You’ll always have that effect on me, Jessa,” he said, his voice lower and smoother than before.

That did something to me. I mean, it really did something to me. It had awoken an instant sensation within me that I’d not felt in years. Or had I ever felt this way before? No. No, I’d never had my breath taken away by a man for any reason, not like this.

Focus, Jessica! I demanded myself as my phone dinged when Warren’s text came through.

“Son of a bitch,” I said, reading the text. “What a dick!”

“He took an earlier flight and left you?” Cameron questioned.

“He’s leaving either way. He said that if I want to embarrass myself, go ahead, but he’s heading back to reality with Jackson.”

“Why did he even come? What are you going to do?” Cameron asked me, almost challenging me to see if I’d let my dick of a fiancé get away with this bullshit.

This was humiliating, and the fact that Cameron asked me what I would do made me question everything. Maybe Warren was right, and I was stupid to show up here. Cam already said he’s not accepting new patients. Why did I fly across the country without reassurances? What kind of mother does that to her child?

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