Page 68 of Storm Bound
“Let’s see,” I said and looked at Charlie before turning to Marina. “Your EKG showed some anomalies, so I need to refer you to the hospital in New Harlow. I would like you to go for an MRI scan. It’s harmless, there’s no needles involved, but I’d like to make sure that your inflammation has gone down, okay?”
Marina shook her head. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
I laughed.
“I’ll do you a deal, Marina. You go to the hospital and do the MRI scan, and next time you come by, I’ll give you an answer,” I said.
Charlie gasped behind his grandmother, but I chose to ignore him for now and focus on Marina.
Her frown deepened and she crossed her arms for good measure staring at me.
“You’re good. I’ll give you that,” she said and uncurled one hand to shake mine. “You’ve got yourself a deal, Dr. Kravitz.”
“Just call me Adam,” I told her and smiled.
I liked the taste of victory.
Of course, that meant I’d have to address her question next time she visited. And if her resilience was any indication, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was back within the week with her results just so she could find out.
Marina pulled her top back down and put her coat back on, and I took the time to look at Charlie who was staring at me but keeping his questions quiet. For now.
He was so sweet and insecure, yet he knew how to be dominant when needed. He was so different from Justin. How could I compare him to that asshole? It wasn’t fair on him.
I didn’t know him well, but in the month we’d known each other and the two weeks we’d been dating, he had shown me far more personality and warmth than Justin ever did.
“Will you have dinner with us on Saturday?” Marina asked, picking up her purse.
At first, I thought she was talking to Charlie, but why would she ask him when he lived under her roof? Although to be fair, he did spend an awful lot of time at my house. So it did make sense he’d want to move in.
Why couldn’t I let this side of me, the one that trusted Charlie, fully take over and accept the offer? Why did I have to overthink it and let the fear sink in?
Because it wasn’t over. That was why. Because something in the back of my head kept telling me this wasn’t going to last and that Justin wasn’t done with me, and that somehow, everything would be ruined.
“Since you’re becoming part of the family, everyone would like to meet you,” Marina said, and I blinked my way back to the room. She had been talking to me. Of course.
“Oh my God, Yaya. You’re unbelievable.”
“You shush. I wasn’t talking to you,” she said to Charlie.
I chuckled. I guess she had decided I was becoming part of the family regardless of my answer to her about marriage, so there was no avoiding this, was there?
Damn, she was good. Bubbe would be proud.
“I’ll see you Saturday,” I said, only to get a grimace from Charlie who started guiding her out.
Just before she got out of reach, she turned back to me. “I almost forgot. Do you keep kosher?”
I smiled. It was very sweet of her to ask.
“I stopped being kosher the minute I realized burgers with cheese are the best thing ever,” I said.
It had taken an error in a restaurant and a burger arriving with some sneaky cheese, and I’d been converted. But then again, my mom wasn’t anal about kosher food, either, so it wasn’t such a big deal.
“Perfect. Oh, stop pushing. “See? That was easy. I don’t know how you boys even tie your shoelaces sometimes with how complicated you make things.”
“You are so embarrassing. I’m not talking to you,” Charlie whisper-shouted at her, but I didn’t manage to hear her comeback as he walked her to her car.
Nineteen
