Page 58 of Justus
“What’sthis I hear about you talking to some fucking doctor?”
Shegiggles at my sudden flare of jealousy. “What doctor?”
“Thedoctor Ayda told me you were considering a date with.”
Sadieburst into laughter. I like it a fuck of a lot better than seeing her cry, evenif it’s at my expense. “Ayda,” she says, trying to quell her hysterics. “God, Ilove her.”
“Whatthe hell?”
“Idon’t know what kind of shit she’s been telling you, but I’m not seeing ortalking to anyone. A doctor,” she chuckles. “Nice touch, Ayda.”
Waituntil I get my hands on that little liar. Gazing down at Sadie, who is stillgiggling, I grip the back of her neck. “You think that’s funny, huh?”
“Areyou kidding? I’ve had to keep my jealousy in check while women grope your halfnaked body, then the thing with the agent, and nowyou’rejealous? It’sepic.”
“You’remine, Sadie.” My hand tightens around her nape and my next words are spokenagainst her soft lips. “All mine, understand? I don’t want anyone else.”
Shekisses me, and it feels as possessive as passionate. “All I want is you, andI’ll trample any bitch in my way.”
Afew raindrops start to fall, and I pull her to her feet, wrapping her hand inmine like she may float away if I’m not careful.
“Isthere anything else, Justus? Anything else I need to know?” she asks as we walkback across the park.
Sighing,I nod. “Yes. I…I like girly drinks.”
“What?”she giggles.
“It’strue.” I turn and pretend to hide my face. “I hate hard liquor. Give me a Cosmoor a Strawberry Daiquiri any day. Don’t look at me!”
“Ihave a confession, too,” she says, grinning up at me. “I lied. You are the bestsex I’ve ever had.”
“Yes!”I jump and give a fist pump before pulling her closer to me. “I knew it! I amthe almighty lord of fucking!”
Asnort of laughter behind us makes her whip around, and two middle aged ladieswalk past. “Congrats on that, hun,” one of them tells Sadie.
Sadie’sface turns red, giggles still spilling out of her mouth. “On that note, I thinkit’s time to go.”
* * * *
Thecardiac rehabilitation center Sadie’s mom has been admitted to is one of thebest in the country. Instead of a cold, sterile hospital room, she’s moved intoher own little private suite, complete with a small sitting area, bedroom, andbathroom. In addition to her therapy and treatment, there are plenty of activitiesand chances to socialize with other patients.
“It’sa really nice place,” Sadie says for the third time as we drive away aftersettling her mom in. “She’ll be fine there.” She’s trying to convince herselfshe’s doing the right thing by going back to Indianapolis. Amber insisted Sadieget back to her life and go back to work, now that she’s out of danger.
Herhand is cold when I cover it with mine. “She’s going to be fine. You know ifthere are any complications, Doug will call you.”
“Iknow. I just hate to leave her, but I do need to get back to work.” Her facelights up. “When I talked to my boss this morning, he told me Carlos, one of myfavorite patients, is walking on his own with no issues, running even! I swear,if some of my adult patients worked as hard as him, my job would be a loteasier.”
Herpassion for her work shines in her voice. “How old is he?”
“Seven.He lost a leg to cancer last year, and I was helping him gain mobility with hisprosthetic.”
“You’reamazing, you know that?”
“Yep,”she replies, making me laugh. “I called the car rental office and let them knowwe’d be returning it in Indy. I wouldn’t want to traumatize you with anotherflight, or myself after what Ayda told me,” she teases.
“Iwasn’t that bad…but, yeah, let’s drive. Driving is good.”
Hergaze falls to her hand, and she slides off the engagement ring. “You shouldhave this back, Jus. I don’t want to pretend anything anymore.”
