Page 26 of Both Sides Now

Sometimes beauty really is superficial.

“Not to worry. I’ll stay away from him, with the exception of my office visits.” I turn on my heel and head for the door, but Megan has to have the last word.

“Make sure you do.”

I’m too old for this shit. Too old and far too tired. I whirl around, blood coursing through my body. “I said that previous statement as a courtesy to you, but I am a grown ass woman and no one will tell me who I can fraternize with. If he doesn’t want to speak to or see me again, let him tell me that himself. But I have a feeling Dr. Russo is not one to be toyed with, especially when it comes to his patients. Goodnight.”

I stalk down the hallway, my fists clenching and unclenching as I hold back the desire to punch Megan in the mouth. Her perfect, pouty mouth.

Note to self: look up when walking down strange corridors. Otherwise, you end up slamming into people. Right into their muscled chest.

“Calli, are you okay?”

I glare up at Keegan and shake my head, the fury still brimming in my body. “I’m fucking amazing. Can’t you tell?”

“What in the world happened?”

“Why don’t you ask your date? She has a real problem with me speaking to you.”

Under normal circumstances, I would hold my tongue, but I’m livid. Right now, no one is safe.

His eyes narrow as his grip on my arms remains strong. “What the hell did she say to you?”

The sensible side of me comes into play and I realize it’s not worth the drama. Huffing out a sigh, I shirk from his grasp. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Just … maybe send my file to one of the other doctors in the practice.”

Keegan steps back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why would I do that?”

“Better that way.” My frustration gives way to an overwhelming feeling of anxiety as tears prick my lids. “Have a good night.”

I walk back to where Shawn is seated and manage to smile and nod my way through the meal, noting how both Keegan and his date are noticeably absent.

They’re doing one of two things: fighting or fucking. I know which one my money is on.

So, I imbibe another two drinks. What the hell, right? I may nurse a hangover in the morning but I need to loosen up.

Have some damn fun without being told I’m overstepping my bounds.

Too bad it’s not working.

That whole concept of hating crowded affairs? It didn’t bother me until Megan showed up. Keegan provided a buffer from the noise. Now, the room is suffocating, and I need to escape. Reclaim my balance. My sanity.

When the first speaker walks to the front of the room, Iseize my chance. Hell, I’m not a doctor, so it’s not like I’d understand a word they were saying.

They won’t miss me.

Ducking into the hallway, I hustle toward a door, finding a small patio with a heater. Bingo.

I huddle close to the artificial warmth, thankful I didn’t wear hairspray or false lashes, for fear of them going up like a blowtorch. My sips of wine are now swallows, as I suck in a few deep breaths and allow my heart rate to settle.

It’s silly, really. Letting my emotions get all tangled up in a man. An unavailable man. A gorgeous, sexy, unavailable man.

What is wrong with me?

No doubt Shawn and Suzanne will be thrilled. At least I’m looking, or I was until Megan reminded me to keep my distance.

Now I get to start all over with another doctor and pray they’re as kind and knowledgeable as Keegan Russo.

Hopefully, they’re also eighty with giant pockmarks and terrible breath. That would be helpful.

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