Page 8 of Out of the Shadows

Doc nodded. “I’d also suggest minimizing stress.”

Her head was shaking before he finished speaking. “Look, my jobishighly stressful, but I love it. It’s often time-sensitive and intense, but it can also be absolutely thrilling.”

“That’s all great, Bean, but you also need to decompress, which is something I don’t think you do. Outside of work, what are your hobbies? Interests? Do you go hiking?”

Heat rushed over her cheeks. “Despite living on Hudson Island and working where I do, I’d say I’m not exactly the outdoorsy sort.”

“Well, how about yoga or meditation?”

She barely held back a scoff. “Not my thing.”

Doc’s brow arched. “Have you actually tried either?”

“Yes,” she said, drawing out the one word. “The guys once got me a package over at the Pacific View Resort with all sorts of yoga and meditation classes.” She’d taken one class of each, and while the yoga class had been more challenging than she’d anticipated, she’d been bored out of her damn mind. The meditation class? Ridiculous. Fifty minutes of just lying there on a supposedly comfortable mat that was anything but. Breathing. While the lady next to her fell asleep. No, thanks.

“How’d it go?” Doc asked.

“Well... I did one meditation and a beginner yoga class. Then I ended up swapping out all the remaining classes for two massages, a facial, and their signature Pacific View Resort Mixology Session. And don’t worry, that class used all organic booze and fresh ingredients for the mixers, so it was totally fine.” She flashed him her most innocent smile.

Doc chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ve heard that’s a funclass. They also have a cooking class if that’s something you’re interested in. Bottom line, Bean? You need to find a hobby that has nothing to do with work. That has nothing to do with computers or screens or tech. Tell me about your social life. Do you get together with your friends much? Unwind with them?”

This conversation needed to end. ASAP. “I spend a lot of time at work, so I mostly have work friends. Everyone gets together outside of work too.” Not that she joined them that much. Maybe once a month. Maybe. Not that Doc needed to know that.

“Good. Like I said, it’s important you take the time to relax. Do you have family in the area?”

She went cold. That too-familiar hollow feeling settled into her gut. Shaking her head, she willed her expression to remain neutral. “I’m not close with my family.” It had been over a decade since she’d seen her parents in person.

He nodded, again studying her. “I’m sorry to hear that. But you know, sometimes it can be for the best. Sometimes absence is better than toxicity.”

Her stomach clenched as she took in what he’d said. Releasing a breath, she let the wisdom of those six words wash over her. “Thanks, Doc.”

“Of course, dear. Now, seeing as we don’t know the actual results of your blood draw yet, do you want my unofficial medical opinion?”

Her brow furrowed as she tried to read him. “I don’t know, do I?”

“Probably not, but I think you’re working yourself into an early grave. You’re exhausted. You forget to eat. When you do, there’s zero nutritional value in what you consume. And you’re stressed. You’re only thirty-two, but you’re a heart attack waiting to happen. I think the fainting spells are a precursor to something much more serious.”

“Holy crap, Doc,” she murmured, worry curdling in her belly. “It can’t bethatbad.”

“You’ve passed out twice.” He gestured to her arm and then her face. “You’re lucky you only have bruises. What if the next time you pass out, you crack your head even harder? Then what? You wait for a coworker to stumble upon your unconscious body?”

She blew out a breath. “Geez, Doc.”

“It may seem like I’m being dramatic, but if this is something that’s preventable?—”

There was a quick rap on her office door before it swung open. “B, do you have the info on the...”

Gavin came to an abrupt halt as he took her in. She fought a cringe when a look she could only describe as seriously pissed off crossed his face.

His hands fisted at his sides, and he hissed, “Who the fuck hit you?”

CHAPTER FOUR

Gavin’s breath was lodged in his chest. No matter how hard he tried to inhale, nothing happened. He couldn’t even blink. All he could focus on was Bean. On the angry purple-and-black bruise forming around the edge of her right eye.

Their line of work was often physical with both training and fieldwork, and he’d seen almost all his colleagues with various bruises and injuries. But not Bean. She wasn’t one of their personal security officers. No. She was a desk jockey. A desk jockey who happened to be one of the most talented hackers in the world. But the woman was sporting a raging black eye.

Bean.

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