Page 13 of The Potter

I find myself nodding in an instant, agreeing to meet Astor tomorrow morning.

Astor shoves cash across the register. I don’t even remember giving him the total. “Keep the rest. I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t be late.” He flashes me a wink. “That’s my thing.”

That night, as I tried to get comfortable, all I could see was Dr. Duke’s smirk and Dr. Astor’s fist bump as they chuckled all the way out the door.

Whatever gift I’d just been given, I would soon learn it was merely a nightmare wrapped up in pretty pink hope.

“Leave before I call security. I don’t have time to deal with this today.”

My mother would call this woman a witch, but I’m not my mother, and I think she deserves a far uglier word. One that rhymes with twat-inator.

“I’m telling you, Dr. Astor—or Potter—told me to meet him here this morning.” It’s only the fourth time I’ve said this, but based on the blatant disbelief, I’m going to need to say it a few more times and call Dr. Astor so he can confirm it.

The redhead with the pantsuit and attitude turns to her coworker. “Call Dr. Potter. He’s the only one here right now. He’ll know if Dr. Astor hired a new secretary.”

Oh, no. No. No. No. No. “It was a last-minute thing. I doubt Dr. Potter knows anything about it.”

“Dr. Potter knows everything. Don’t worry, we’ll get this sorted out.”

I hate patronizing bitches.

“Dr. Potter, the patient you dismissed last week is at the front desk, claiming she’s Dr. Astor’s new secretary. Would you like me to call security?”

I don’t need to hear what he said, the I-told-you-so smirk on her face is evidence enough.

“Sure. I’ll make sure she stays put.”

Great, just freaking great. I knew it! I knew this was a bad idea, but again, I’m desperate, and Dr. Astor and Duke seem like fun guys. Why can’t their brother be cool, too?

“Dr. Potter will be with you in a moment.”

I almost flip her off. If I’m going to be thrown out of this office twice, I’m not going out with manners this time. Well, I didn’t last time, either, but I tried to make it right in the end.

“Ms. Belle.” Dr. Potter’s smooth baritone guides my head up on its own accord.

Why? Why must he look like he just rolled out of bed and threw on an expensive suit? Why can’t he look creepy or be old? Anything to make him less attractive. It was like God knew women would want to murder him with that rude-ass attitude, therefore he made him hot, so we’d at least not stab him at the first meeting.

“I thought I made myself clear last time. I can’t—”

“There she is!” Relief settles in my stomach as Astor’s familiar voice drowns out whatever lecture Vance was about to give me. “Sorry, I’m late, darling.”

Astor throws his arm over my shoulder. “Come, let me show you to your office.” He pulls me beside him and through the half door separating the waiting room from the staff. I can’t help but smile as Red’s mouth drops open in shock.Suck on that, Miss Thang.

As we pass by the desk, Astor pauses. “Vance. Glad to see you’re sober and a little less murdery this morning.”

Dr. Potter’s jaw tightens, and I really hope Astor’s plan wasn’t to piss him off this early. I really would like us to be on civil terms if I ever hope to be his patient.

“Astor,” Vance grits, faking a tight smile. “Glad to see you could make it in today. Perhaps we should have a meeting. I seem to be behind on a few changes around the office.”

Astor chuckles and starts moving us forward. “Agreed. See my secretary and she’ll set something up.”

Without giving Vance time to argue, Astor pulls us down the hall and past Duke’s office, where he has a blonde cornered against his desk. “Your office is next to mine at the end of this hall. I don’t care what you wear, just as long as it isn’t a black pantsuit.”

I hesitate. “But doesn’t the rest of the staff wear black?”

Astor stops in front of an oak door—just like the one I beat on when Dr. Potter pushed me out of his office—turning with a shit-eating grin. “Vance likes order and black.”

The wink he gives me is clear.Stir up some shit.

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