Page 48 of The Bargain

“That’s where I grew up,” he admitted with a sad smile. “I’ve done things that aren't pretty.” He grimaced. “My brother was a gang member and I was on my way to join them. I did a lot of stupid things. One time, we broke into a house and my brother got hurt but the man who we’d tried to steal from, saved his life, just like that.” He shook his head. “My brother had manhandled him and yet - That man was a surgeon here and he changed my life. That was the shock I needed to get out.” He opened his shirt to show me his toned, tanned peck which was covered by a roaring tiger. “This is the tattoo I got to hide the gang mark. I walked away from that life without a look back. My past doesn’t define me. It’s not me.”

“Do you really think people can change?” I asked, trying to convince myself that Opal had changed after having Timmy, for some reason hoping that Dean could change too. That he could hate me less without knowing the truth, maybe even like me - at least enough for me to come clean.

“Yes, I do. I’m proof that people can.”

“Dean doesn't,” I added, my voice tinged with sadness.

Jeremy sighed. “Dean is an unyielding, unforgiving man. He always has been.”

He was a nice man, a good-looking man, a successful man, and yet... I was scared to admit to myself what I was really feeling. I had to be messed up in the head to be attracted to a man who hated me.

“I’d like to go to dinner with you.” It was true. “But not right now. I need to concentrate on Timmy and his sickness.”

He nodded, undeterred. “Of course, yes, I understand.”

“And it might not be the best while I still live at the Beaumont Estate.”

“This is not a permanent arrangement?”

I shook my head. “Oh, God, no! This is just for a few months. Just to ensure everything is fine.”

He seemed confused by my weak explanation but didn’t push, which I was grateful for.

“Is there anything I need to look out for?” I asked, eager to go back on a more comfortable subject. “In Timmy, I mean, as his situation gets worse.”

“You’re already doing everything you have to do. Just make sure he is not going blue or that he starts coughing.”

“Blue?” I rested my hand on my chest as I turned toward Timmy.

“It’s not as scary as it seems,” he added quickly. “Just call us if it happens and he will be fine. We’re monitoring him closely.”

“Thank you, for everything.” I was so grateful for this man, truly.

“You’re welcome and everything will be okay.”

I gave him a grateful smile because, despite the bad news, he’d reassured me.

The worst though was knowing that, at this stage, there was nothing more I could do for Timmy. All I could do now was wait and hope.

Jeremy gave Timmy a checkup and organized a follow-up appointment for the next month. As I was ready to leave, he extended a card.

“This is my private number. Call me if anything concerns you about Timmy or if you want to talk, about anything or-” He smiled. “Or if you reconsider my dinner invitation.”

I nodded putting the card in my pocket. “I will. Thank you.” All in all, Jeremy Hunt was a catch, but no matter what, he would need to know the truth before going out with me, and I needed to sort out my confusing feelings about the unfeeling man I was sharing a living space with.

The rest of the day was quite busy. I went to the pharmacy to pick up Timmy’s new medication. Then finally started the online classes that I’d picked.

Dean came back later that evening just as I was exiting the library with the new book I’d decided to read.

He looked tired and disheveled for the first time since I'd met him. He was carrying his suit jacket on his arm. His tie was undone, his shirt opened at the collar, revealing a little bit of his toned chest covered in a light dusting of dark hair.

“You look tired,” I blurted out, only to immediately wince. I expected him to lash out at me, to unleash all the weariness and frustration I could see on his face. Why had I taken this liberty?

“It has been a long day,” he replied gruffly. “Jeremy told me about Timothy’s result. I’m sorry.”

I remained silent, pulling the book closer to my chest. Was he actually trying to be nice to me? Why?

“But you should at least take comfort in the fact that you have one of the best, if notthebest pediatric surgeons taking care of him.”

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