Page 105 of Penalty to the Heart

“Who?” Piper asks, confused.

“Trent and Roxanne. They look awfully chummy.” I frown.

Piper throws another glance at the dancing pair and shrugs.

“They’ve been friends since Trent became GM for the Guardians. Why?”

“It doesn’t look right. I mean… he’s her boss. Shouldn’t there be a code of conduct or something?”

Piper laughs.

“I’m the last person you should ask. Need I remind you that Trent and I are dating? In fact,” she chews her lower lip, “we’re about to move in together. Officially, I mean.” She finishes with a tinge of pink on her cheeks.

“So you two are solid?” I ask, never wavering my sight from Roxie.

“What kind of question is that?” She laughs. “Of course we are. We love each other. Why are you giving me the second degree all of a sudden, and why…” Before she finishes that question, she looks over at Trent and Roxanne again, realization finally dawning on her.

Piper then turns to me, with a stern expression

“Caleb, don’t even go there,” she forbids with a severe glare.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I defend weakly, unable to pull my gaze off Roxanne.

“Yeah, you do. Otherwise, why would you be staring daggers at my boyfriend for dancing with Dr. Seymour?”

“Her name is Roxanne.”

Roxie, only to me.

“I know what her name is, Caleb,” she groans in frustration. “Look at me,” she demands, clutching my chin to ensure my full attention. “Don’t even think about trying something with Roxanne. She’s not like those bunnies you like to hook up with. She’s your therapist.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you?” she retorts with a hiked brow. “Because this is how it will play out if you follow the instincts of your dick instead of the head God put on your shoulders. You’ll do something stupid like make a pass at her, and she’ll have no choice but to turn you down. Roxanne will be forced to step back as your therapist and refer you to another doctor because you’ve muddied the waters. Which would be a goddamn shame since she’s the first person—aside from Jack—that has actually got through that thick head of yours,” Piper says before slapping me across the head

“You don’t know that.” I rub the back of my head. “She might not turn me down.”

“That scenario is even worse!” Piper gives my shoulder a little punch. “Because if she doesn’t… if, somehow, Roxanne also has feelings for you and, God forbid, acts on them, then she can kiss her medical license goodbye. Is that what you want? To ruin her career? A career she actually excels at?!”

“I don’t remember you being this violent,” I grumble. “I think I liked you better when we weren’t talking to each other.”

Piper laughs at that.

“Well, I didn’t. I missed you, you idiot.”

“I missed you too,” I admit with a fond smile playing on my lips.

“Of course you did. I’m spectacular,” she says teasingly.

“Humble, too.”

“Why be humble when you can be right?” She laughs again.

“So, does this mean you’ve forgiven me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Caleb. Friends don’t hold grudges.”

“Good,” I reply, relieved. “Because I was kind of hoping you’d be my agent again.”

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