Page 59 of Heal Me

Turek laughs. “Easy there, tiger. Just wanted to test out the new girlfriend. Charlotte, very nice to meet you. Gaberick, let me escort you and the lovely lady to Boston and then I’ll return your boat.”

“Gaberick?” I ask, arching an eyebrow.

“My full name.” He gives Turek a look. “In the same condition in which you stole it.”

“Not stolen, borrowed. You’d think a lawyer would get the details straight.”

“Just like that yacht you ‘borrowed’ at Lake Como?”

“I just wanted the opportunity to teach you to captain a fine vessel, my protégé.”

Gabe snorts. “Teach me? You were passed out and I was ten years old!”

“On the job training, my boy. And see what an excellent captain you are now because of it. Let’s move this little disappearing act below deck, shall we?”

“Agreed,” Gabe says.

I follow Turek down the steps with Gabe behind me. The cabin consists of a small bed and a door that leads to what I presume is a tiny bathroom. “And what are your intentions with my boy?” Turek eyes me.

“I love him,” I find myself replying honestly, and I can’t blame it on the magic.

I turn to face Gabe, who has a huge smile on his face. “And I you, my love,” he says, leaning down and kissing me.

“Sorry I asked. If it gets any more sugary sweet in here, I’m going to get a cavity. And you know I have a dentist phobia. Ever since that one time in Mexico City. You know what, I don’t want to talk about it.” He shudders. “Coordinates?” Turek extends his hand.

I take Turek’s hand, and Gabe rattles off some numbers. And just like that, we’re now standing in an alley,

“I mean it, Turek. My boat better be returned to my slip in Biloxi in pristine condition,” Gabe says, appearing beside me.

“I’m not sure I’d describe your boat being in pristine condition to begin with, but as you wish. Charlotte, a pleasure,” he says and vanishes.

Gabe laces his fingers through mine, bringing my hand up for a kiss. “What you said back there—”

“That was all me. Gabe, I’m madly in love with you.” I’ve never been one to play relationship games, and see no reason to start now.

“I’m so glad I’m not out here on this ledge by myself,” he admits with a sigh, pulling me in tightly and wrapping his arms around me.

“This restaurant just happens to be right next to Harvard Medical School.” My dad knows exactly what he’s doing. “Maybe I shouldn’t have forbidden you from working your magic on my dad.”

“You don’t need my magic. Charlotte, you’re perfectly capable of standing your ground with your dad,” he says, giving me a pep talk.

Taking a deep breath, I nod, and we walk inside the restaurant to find my dad waiting in the lobby. “Hey Dad,” I say with a hug.

“There’s my girl. And Gabe, nice to see you again.”

“Thank you for the invitation,” Gabe says as they shake hands.

We’re called by the hostess to our table. Gabe pulls out my chair for me, and as soon as Dad’s seated, I get right to the point. “Here’s your insurance policy, but just know I’m not going to change my mind,” I warn him as I dig the folder out of my tote bag and hand it to him.

He opens the folder and smiles. “Your insurance policy. A lot can happen in a year. Why not have a backup plan?” I make a noncommittal sound as our server appears and takes our drink order, and then we take a minute to look at the menu. “How was your flight? You know I would have been happy to pick you up at the airport,” Dad says.

“I know, but Gabe’s friends gave us a lift.” I don’t elaborate what kind of lift.

“These friends live in Boston?”

“No, they’re just here in town,” Gabe replies.

“What do they do for a living?”

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