Page 62 of Vicious Little Games

“Then if you were poisoned, hopefully your body has expelled the toxin.”

“I doubt I was poisoned. I should’ve just said it was food poisoning when I barfed in the back seat.”

“But you don’t think it was food poisoning either?”

I shake my head. “No. Nobody else got sick after dinner so…”

“Have you been running a fever? Had chills?”

“No. Neither.”

“Have you recently been around anyone who had a stomach virus?”

“Nope.”

Nodding, she gives me a small smile before asking, “When was your last period, Cass?”

“Recently.”

“Could you give me a date?”

“Last week.”

“So, you’re obviously not pregnant?” she asks in the form of a question rather than a statement.

“Obviously.”

“So, I don’t need to offer you a certain pill that’s prescribed when a morning-after pill doesn’t work?”

“No. I’m good. Thanks. Probably just a stomach bug.”

Her hawk eyes hold mine. “Just so you know, I could get you that medication if necessary. Your father would never have to know about it either.”

Barking out a laugh, I ask her, “Do you have a death wish, Dr. Gates?”

“I don’t, but my priority is always first and foremost to my patients, regardless of who pays my bill.”

“I’m not your patient.”

“Sure you are.”

“I don’t need any of your pills. So, are we finished here?”

“Yes, unless you will allow me to press on your abdomen.”

“No.”

“That’s what I thought.” With a heavy sigh, she gets up and heads to the bedroom door, hefting her bag onto her shoulder. “How about I call in a prescription for nausea?” she asks.

“Fine,” I agree.

Opening the door, she goes on to say, “Assuming that you’re still alive in the morning, I think you’ll be just fine.”

“Great. I’m sorry you wasted your time coming over so late.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her tonight,” Cole says from the hallway, making me roll my eyes. Then, a whispered, “She’s not, um, pregnant, is she, Doc?”

“It’s probably just a stomach bug,” Dr. Gates tells him then louder. “Make sure she stays hydrated, and have Dante call me if she gets any worse.”

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