Page 40 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Are you in love with her?”

I force a smile, but my face feels like it will crack from the effort. “Would I be this messed up if I wasn’t?”

“Well, if it’s any consolation, if Tally didn’t love you back, she wouldn’t be this messed up, either.”

“She won’t even look at me, Stefani.”

“She’s angry. You lied to her and broke her trust.”

I run my hand over my scalp. If I’m not totally honest with Tally’s best friend, I don’t stand a chance in getting back my tiny vixen. “I want to love her. Hell, I want to marry her.”

Thankfully, my words hit home. Stefani reaches out her hand, squeezing my forearm. “Look, she’s angry, but I know my Lu. She’s a big softie, hiding behind that tough as nails exterior. Give her time to calm down and then talk to her. If you want, I’ll put in a kind word.”

“You would do that?”

“I’ve known Lu for a decade, and I’ve never seen her so happy as she was these past few weeks. I’ll do anything to bring that back to her”—her gaze hardens—“on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Don’t make me regret this, Dr. Stevens. Don’t you hurt her again.”

Dr. Watts interrupts our chat, fetching me for the first of several meetings. Before I leave, I lean over, catching Stefani’s ear. “I swear.”

* * *

Memorial has a ton of promise.

Who the hell am I kidding? I don’t remember a damn thing they told me today. My mind is fixated on Tally, locked in her office, likely with a voodoo doll of me in her hand.

Stefani offered to speak with her, but I can’t wait that long. It’s only been a few hours, but maybe, just maybe, Tally will let me plead my case.

Either that, or she’ll ship my ass straight to the executioner.

My heart quickens as I knock on the door to Tally’s office. Much more of this stress, and I’ll be in the cath lab as a patient.

“Come in.”

I’m not sure what I expect when her gaze rises to meet mine. The warmth and softness I found there is gone, replaced with a wrought iron ferocity.

“Are you lost, Dr. Stevens?”

I swear if it gets any frostier between us, icicles will form at the end of my nose. “May I have five minutes, and then I’ll go? Please, Tally.”

“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t work for you. Find yourself another beck and call girl.”

I lack a retort, so I keep silent, my gaze intent on her form.

Tally sucks in a breath, her eyes staring at some distant point on the wall, her foot tapping against the floor. “What do you need?”

I sink into the chair, leaning across her desk and catching a faint whiff of her scent. I’m drawn to her like a dog in heat, and it doesn’t matter if she’s mad as hell or riding my cock; some things don’t change. “Weneed to talk, Tally. I understand you’re angry, and you have every right, but I don’t want this to come between us.”

She scoffs, shaking her head. “You’re funny.”

“I’m not trying to be.”

“There is no us, Dr. Stevens. Not now. Not ever.” Her dark eyes peer at me through her lenses. “Is there anything else?”

The finality of her statements hit like bullets, but I plow ahead. Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures, and I’ve never been more determined. “What has changed besides the fact that you know my job title? I’m still the same guy, Tally. The guy who loves you.”

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