Page 36 of Capitally Unexpected

“Hey, buddy,” Hunter says, his tone low and furious. “That’s enough. You’ve told us what we need to know, so kindly get the fuck out.”

“You can’t talk to me like that.” Dr. Jameson looks flabbergasted anyone would even dare.

“But you can talk to her like that? Big man in a white coat. You’re lucky I respect the woman next to me enough to let her fight her own battles when she wants to. Wonder how that coat would look up against the wall?” Hunter’s eyes flash, his meaning clear without actually threatening the other man.

The doctor’s cheeks flush red, and he stands up taller, straightening his tie. “Well, if that’ll be all, Jessica here will get your next appointment made.” With that, he leaves the room.

The dark-haired nurse clears her throat. “Hi, I’m Jessa, actually. And I’m so sorry.”

“He a fuck face like that all the time?” Hunter takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry. You’re not responsible for his behavior.”

She smiles gently. “He is a fuck face like that all the time. People have complained, but ...”

“Because he’s a presumably straight, white man, nothingsticks,” I say, my heart in my stomach. I’ve sat in these rooms in far less clothing than I’m in now, but have never felt more exposed.

Jessa mutters something under her breath in Spanish before raising her voice. “You didn’t hear this from me, but I do think he’s one or two complaints away from actual action. We’ve lost a lot of patients because of him. I can give you the names and contact info of where they go, if you’d like.”

The weight of Hunter’s gaze on me is like a tangible touch, knowing this is my call. “No.” I shake my head. “I’ve been so happy with everyone else here, and I’ve dealt with judgments about my weight all my life. No guarantee someone else wouldn’t do the same thing.”

She nods, an empathetic look on her face.

“If we wanted to make a complaint to someone here, though,” Hunter asks, casting a furtive look in my direction. I’m too tired to protest that I don’t want to make any waves.

“I can get you that information too,” Jessa says. “I’ll be right back with the contact info and the details for your next appointment. Then you guys can get out of here.”

A thick silence descends over the room after she walks away. I know Hunter’s looking at me, waiting for me to meet his gaze, but I’m not sure what I’ll see there. Worse, I don’t know what he’ll read in me.

“So, what did you decide about lunch?” Hunter asks after another moment.

“I’m not really hungry,” I say, hating how the joy of our lunch plans has evaporated.

“Mich, you need to eat something. It’s been over twelve hours.” His voice is gentle, coddling even, and I snap.

“IknowI need to eat something. But forgive me if my appetite is gone.” His eyes hold mine as my voice shakes and a tear escapes. I regret lashing out immediately.

He studies me closely, his eyes searching my face, but betraying nothing at what he finds there. When he speaks, histone contains no indication I just snapped at him for something that’s in no way his fault. “How about we take a ride share home and I’ll make you a smoothie? We have those blueberries I got at the farmers’ market yesterday.” The suggestion carries the same warmth and care he always shows when he wants to do something for me, to help me.

Still, the instinct to make myself as small and amiable as possible is too hard to fight. “We can take the bus, it’s fine. And I’m sure you have other things to do. It’s the middle of the day.”

He steps closer and slowly reaches his hand toward my face, as if he expects me to pull away. I fight against the impulse. “Hey. That guy sucked. And I’m so sorry you dealt with that today and ever before. If I thought the idea of bodily violence appealed to you, and I wasn’t positive he’s the litigious type, I’d make good on my wall-smashing threat. But let me take you home, out of the heat, and make you a smoothie, okay?”

I nod, his hand cupping my cheek all the while. “Okay.”

Afew hours later, a knock on the door wakes me. “Hey, it’s me.” Hunter’s voice comes through the door. “You told me not to let you sleep past four, but I also didn’t want to wake you, so it’s 4:30 now.”

I rub my eyes, trying to shake off the disorientation that accompanies a solid mid-afternoon nap.

“Uh, you awake? Can I come in?”

Right. Open mouth, use voice. “Yeah, I’m up. Come on in.”

Hunter walks through the door, and pauses a few steps inside, looking around. “Wow, I’m not sure I’ve seen it so dark in here since ...” His voice, soft and low, gives me goosebumps.

The low lighting with the shades pulled suddenly looks more sexy than cozy. I push up against the pillows, keeping the blankets tight around my waist. My pant-less state is more obvious than normal.

“Oh, right. I guess we do spend most of our time in the living room.” And pulling all the blinds this afternoon felt right to match my mood.

He nods, leaning against the dresser. “How are you feeling?”

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