Page 22 of Every Breath

“Mr. Collins, you can go in now.” The dental assistant peeked through the door. His heart raced as he walked to one of the back rooms. He took a seat in the dental chair and let the woman arrange a bib around his neck.

Mason knew Brandi wasn’t the only hygienist in this office, but he hoped he got her. Even if he didn’t, he would find her.

“Someone will be with you shortly.” The pretty assistant smiled at him and gave him a little wink as she sashayed out.

When he had first discovered himself in this body, he hadn’t found it very appealing, but it seemed like the ladies did. Go figure. Anyway, there was only one woman’s interest he wanted to capture.

Dr. Cross entered the room. He was a small man with thinning black hair and thick bushy brows. He had been Brandi’s boss since she graduated from college.

“Hello, young man, how are you today?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

Dr. Cross looked at his chart. “You’re here for a cleaning, I see. Well, let me take a look at those choppers and make sure you don’t have any cavities and that your gums are healthy. Then I’ll send in one of my hygienists to take it from there. Okay?”

“Sure.”

He always hated going to dentists, not liking the intrusion of someone messing in his mouth, but he had taken good care of his teeth. He hoped that the old Mason Collins cared about his dental hygiene as well.

“Open wide.”

Mason complied, hoping that it would be over soon. He endured the poking and prodding of his teeth for what seemed like a very long time. The things one did for love. Relief took over when Dr. Cross finished his examination.

“Well, I saw what could be the beginnings of a cavity, but if you brush and floss regularly and use the correct toothbrush, you should be fine. Do you have any questions?”

“None. Thanks, Dr. Cross.”

“My pleasure. Someone should be in here shortly to see you.”

Mason waited anxiously when he was left alone again. He heard soft humming as someone entered the room and instinctively knew it was Brandi.

A stunned look appeared on her face when she saw him. “What the hell are you doing here?” Anger flashed in her eyes.

“This is a dentist’s office and I’m here for my six-month cleaning.”

“Ha, ha, very funny. Now tell me why you’re really here.”

“I told you. I need to get my teeth cleaned. What a coincidence that you work here.” He feigned surprise.

She placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. He knew she wasn’t buying it. “Uh huh, pull the other one. You just happened to make an appointment at this office for the first time after we met? It might have been a coincidence if you didn’t live a half-hour from here. I’m sure there are closer offices to you.”

“I’m sure there are, but this office is close to one of my dealerships.” When he saw her eyes narrow, he knew it would be prudent to confess. “Okay, so I found out you work here and made an appointment. I had to see you.”

“I told you. I don’t want to see you again. I don’t appreciate being stalked.”

“I’m not stalking you. I wanted to see you and this was the only way I knew how. Why didn’t you pick up DJ?”

“You know why. What we did was wrong.”

“How could it be wrong when we wanted it? Is it because I’m white?” As far as he knew, she had never shown any interest in a white man before, but he knew she was attracted to him.

“It’s not because you’re white. I already told you, I’m engaged,” she hissed.

His eyes strayed to her left hand. The large diamond she had been wearing on Friday was missing. Was this a good sign? “You’re not wearing your engagement ring.”

“I don’t wear it when I work.”

The hope that had been building up in his chest was instantly crushed.

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