Page 139 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Do you?” I volley back, my hands not moving to accept his offering. “Is that what the flowers are for?”

Owen looks down, and for the first time, I see him struggle with what to say. “I know you love lilies.”

“Most people love lilies, Owen. But a bouquet will not fix this situation.”

“I know, which is why I wanted to speak with you first thing.” He motions to the bouquet again. “Please, will you hear me out?”

I slump into the chair, clicking my tongue against my teeth. “I’m really tired of this episode, Owen. I’ve seen this rerun several times already. It’s time to change the channel.”

“I know you’re angry and you have every right to be—”

“That’s just it. Iwasangry. Now, I’m just over it.”

The poor man looks positively stricken, but my sympathy meter is on empty. “I wanted to come over, more than anything.”

“See, that’s a lie. If you wanted to come overmore than anything, you would have been there last night. But once again, you were with your glamorous and wildly important fiancée.”

“Ex-fiancée,” he bites out.

“Does it matter? It’s semantics at this point. Besides your patients, she’s the only one who ever sees you.” I hold up my hands, my attitude in full force. “Far be it from little old me to make a play for your time.”

“Tally.” I know that look. He’s become adept at the beseeching, come-hither stare over the last several weeks. Perhaps he was always talented in that arena and I’m just realizing it now.

“What, Owen?” I shrug, forcing a dry laugh. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not.”

I nod—at least we agree on something. “It’s not, but it is you who missed out on mind blowing sex.”

His jaw slackens. “You’re joking.”

I shrug, keeping my gaze on the computer screen. “Guess you’ll never know.”

“How about I make it up to you? Twice as long, twice as good?”

“Nah. One and done. Sorry.”

His fingers tap the desk. Apparently being turned down for sex is not something he’s used to in his life. “We’ll see about that.”

I peer at him over the top of my glasses, sending him a scowl. “Check your ego, Dr. Stevens. You’re not that irresistible.”

His hand snakes across the desk, clasping mine. “No, I’m not. You are. I told you, you’re the purest heroin.”

“Could we find another analogy? I hate being compared to something that destroys lives.”

Owen chuckles, lifting my fingers to his lips. “How about this, then? You’re every dream I never knew I had. I didn’t believe in soulmates until I met you. You’re it for me, Tally.”

God, I hate him. I hate when he says things so profound and moving, and he looks so damn earnest and yet manages to smash my heart into bits on the ground. I pull my hand back, massaging the palm with my thumb. “Only one problem with that, Owen. I don’t believe you anymore.”

“Then I’ll prove it to you.”

I laugh, not because it’s funny but because it’s such a well-worn line. “Sure, you will.”

“Will you give me a chance?”

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