Page 140 of Fierce-Zander

“Good,” she said. “I accept your apology. I’ll even say I’m sorry that I didn’t express myself the other night, but I was annoyed with you.”

He pulled her under his arm and gave her a cuddle and his body all but sagged with the knowledge that things between them were going to be just fine.

“Maybe I’ll tell you I need more time and we can avoid this in the future.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” she said.

“Just not a five-year plan?” he asked.

She started to laugh and pushed back to look at his face. “I’m glad we worked this out. And I know we can in the future.”

“We can,” he said, kissing her. “And I need to go and I’m sure you’ve got work to do.”

“Yes,” she said. “I love you, Zander.”

“Love you too, Doc.”

She giggled a little and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “This session was on the house. I’ll take my payment in a different form tonight.”

“You’ve got yourself a good swap.”

He left and went back to his office, saw Betsy sitting at her desk waiting for him to say something, but he didn’t.

Betsy came in. “Well?”

“We’re good. Did you think differently?”

“No,” Betsy said. “I knew she’d straighten your ass out.”

42

GOT IT COVERED

At the end of the week, Regan was glad her last appointment of the day had been canceled and she could get out early.

She told Miles he could pack up and leave too. Zander said he’d be working until at least five. He had a call at four thirty to take and could be on it for up to an hour.

It didn’t matter, they’d meet up at her place later and have a weekend to themselves to relax as long as Zander didn’t get too many calls.

And if he did, she’d go with him because it was just too much fun not to at times.

She was wiping down the coffee bar in her front office when her door opened.

“Hi, Colin,” she said.

“Hi, Dr. Philes,” Colin said. “I know I shouldn’t drop in like this, but I was in the area and thought maybe I could see if you had time to meet. I could have called, but, as I said, I was close by and maybe I’ve been nervous about calling.” He was dipping his head down and wincing as he admitted that.

She frowned. Not sure why he was nervous but then realized that Maria was always the one that set up the appointments.

If she remembered correctly, Maria was the one who had the idea to come here in the first place and Colin went along with it.

They were still a cute couple. The sunshine couple Miles had called them.

“You shouldn’t be nervous about calling. Are you alone?” she asked. “Or is this an appointment with Maria?”

“Alone,” Colin said. He was smiling, but she could see it was forced. Something was going on and there was hurt in his eyes.

“I had a cancellation if you want to meet now,” she said. “If not, we can schedule for next week when I have an opening.”

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