Page 48 of Forbidden Hearts
Uh, no, he’s not. I mean, sure, he’s a SWAT commander, a great cop, and everyone loves him, but that’s probably because they don’t know what an asshole he can be. All of that is great, but he’s not likeveryimportant. More like mildly important.
This chick is ridiculous.
I sigh heavily, causing them both to look at me.
“Sorry, I was just concerned about Olivia and her anxiety,” I try to cover up the fact that I hope Lila falls on her face.
“Of course. Let’s take her back, you can go back to the waiting room since a parent is here.”
Now I really hate this bitch.
I want to argue because there goes my chance to meet Dr. King. He’s the best freaking doctor ever, and I had a plan on how to bring up a possible internship, and . . . ugh. Now it’s all ruined. Stupid Asher and caring about his daughter.
As much as I want to be a brat, this isn’t about me. I turn to Liv and sign.“Your dad is here, so I am going to wait. You be brave and tell him if anything hurts.”
She shakes her head so hard I worry she’s going to give herself a concussion.
Even though I know she can’t hear me, I say her name, squatting down and grabbing her shoulders.“Stop. Stop. Stop.”Taking her face in my hands, I force her to look at me. I speak slowly so she can read my lips.“Talk to me.”
Her eyes are full of unshed tears.“I want you.”
Asher is on his haunches beside me.“You want Phoebe?”
“And you,”Olivia says.
He looks up to Lila.“Phoebe will go in as well.”
“But . . .”
Asher doesn’t hesitate. “Like I said, she will have both of us with her.”
And just like that, I freaking want to maul him. Throw him on this floor and kiss him until we can’t breathe.
Since that would be really inappropriate, I just smile.
He grunts in return.
And the kissing desire is gone.
The nurse nods and then escorts us into the room. It’s a soundproof chamber, which feels strange when we first enter it, and there are three booths along the back wall. The table in the middle has cubes to stack, headsets, and other items they use during hearing exams. “Is the room soundproof for a reason?” I ask.
“Yes, we have a lot of children who can’t go in the booths, so we have both options. The booths are preferred, though.” She turns to Olivia.“You guys can sit here, and Daniel will be out soon to get you.”
The hospital in Iowa didn’t have that option, and it’s pretty smart if you ask me. Which no one did, but whatever.
One of the audiologists exits the booth with a smile, and I instantly relax since it’s a guy who will not be hitting on Asher.“I’m Daniel, and I’ll be doing Olivia’s hearing tests.”He turns to Liv.“Are you ready?”
Olivia nods and turns to me.“This part doesn’t hurt.”
I grin.“Good.”
Nothing in that booth should hurt. It’s all sounds and tests to see if she hears anything.
Once she’s gone, Asher and I return to our seats. “Thank you for before.”
“For what?”
“You made sure that I could be back here.”
