Page 109 of Bae

No baggy sweats for my girl today. Today she was dressed something fierce. When she stepped out of the closet, I knew she meant business, and it was just proof she had come a long way since the day we lost Evie.

I knew Rim would never be the same. Hell, neither would I. It didn’t matter. I loved her no matter what.

But I sure liked it when she got all angry kitten.

I admired the way she looked coming around the back end of the Hellcat toward me. Tight black jeans that hugged every line of her frame. Black boots—not her usual fur lined; instead, these had a heel. The top she wore was also more fitted than her usual fare. It was plain white, body hugging, and sexy as hell. Over it, she wore a black leather jacket.

Her hair was straight, sleek, and fell right down her back. When it was blown out like that, it hung halfway down her back. I couldn’t remember the last time she had it cut.

The envelope of papers was tucked under her arm, and as she approached, the clicking of her heels on the pavement stuttered as she pitched off to the side.

“Whoa.” I stopped her from the downward spiral. “You look hot in heels, Smalls, but you can’t walk in them.”

“I know,” she grumbled, straightening away. My hands hovered at her sides in case she decided to fall over again. Without another word, she marched forward. Every two steps for her was one for me.

Our fingers threaded together as we walked. I didn’t let go even when I opened the door and allowed her in first. We held hands in the elevator and were still connected when we stepped off and into the lobby of the doctor’s office.

Rimmel stiffened when her eyes swung to the reception desk. She glanced up at me. “That’s her.”

“Mrs. Anderson,” the woman said, “and Rom—I mean, Mr. Anderson! Good to see you today. I didn’t realize you had an appointment.”

“We don’t,” Rimmel said, her voice nothing like the friendly, innocent one she was known for. “I figured if I called ahead, you would have made sure the press was waiting downstairs when I pulled up.”

The lady paled. “I’m sorry?”

I made a sound. Rim put her hand on my waist, effectively restraining me. Instead, she stepped forward and rose to her full, short girl stature. But damn if it wasn’t something to see.

“I’m pretty sure you’re not sorry,” she replied. “I’m here to see Dr. Crawford. I just need a moment with her in her office.”

“She’s fully booked—” The receptionist began.

“Call her.” Rimmel cut her off. “Tell her I’m here.”

I could see the calculating wheels in this bitch’s head turning. She was already trying to figure out a way to make it look like she called back but couldn’t get the doctor on the phone.

“You can do this the easy way or the hard way,” I intoned.

Her eyes flashed to mine.

I smiled.

Her throat worked. She picked up the phone and spoke quietly into it.

“She’s in her office now,” she said. “You—”

Rimmel didn’t even wait for her to finish talking. She dismissed her and strode through the door, back toward the office and exam rooms.

Before going back, I leaned on the counter, near where the woman was sitting. “Hope your resume is nice and polished up, ‘cause you’re gonna need it.”

“I didn’t—” She started to protest.

“Save it.” I slapped the words at her. “I don’t know how much you got paid for almost getting my wife killed, but it probably wasn’t enough.” I pulled away, then turned back. “By the way, you may want to move to another city… preferably another state. You’re gonna have a hard time finding work around here. Unless, of course, you like flipping burgers.”

I sauntered through the half-open door Rim had just disappeared through. She was standing in front of an open door, waiting for me, so I quickened my step to join her.

“Mr. and Mrs. Anderson,” Dr. Crawford greeted us when we stepped into the room. “I’m surprised to see you.”

“Thank you for agreeing to see us,” Rimmel said politely.

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