Page 76 of Heal Me

He presses a button, and a target zooms into position. I laugh when I see a picture of Sam’s face taped over the bullseye. I assumed correctly.

* * *

“What are you working on?” I ask Gabe, taking a seat beside him on my bed.

“Attorney-client privilege. I can’t discuss it,” he says, writing something down on a legal pad as he flips through a file.

I’m not offended. There’s also a doctor and patient duty of confidentiality, and so I don’t ask any more questions. “Alright, I’m going to get ready. We’ll need to leave in about thirty minutes to get to the airport. I want to give us extra time in case of traffic,” I say as I walk to the bathroom. I have a flight to Boston this evening. Dad sent me a plane ticket and told me he wanted me working from his house on the research project. So yes, there are strings attached to my abundance spell, but I’ll still take it.

“Change of flight plans. Turek will escort you,” Gabe calls.

“Alright,” I say, not going to turn down an air angel flight. Taking a quick shower, I dry my short black hair and give it a few swipes with my hair straightener. Applying some powder, mascara, and lip gloss, voilà, I’m ready.

Gabe’s in the same spot I left him, engrossed in his work. “You’re just as nerdy as I am,” I inform him.

“Not nerdy. Fastidious.”

“Sure, we’ll go with that,” I tease. My phone buzzes and I grab it.

Mom: Hey baby girl! I didn’t hear back from you this morning.

Me: I’m fine. Just busy getting ready for my trip to Dad’s.

Mom: Alright, well text me when you land.

Sighing, I toss my phone on the bed.

“What’s wrong?” Gabe asks.

“Oh, nothing. Just Debbie being Debbie.” Thinking about what I want to wear, I soon remember everything’s packed. The lease is up soon, and Jen’s already left for Boston. I’m not sure about my plans. I haven’t found a decent one-bedroom in my price range. If all else fails, I can move back in with Mom. My mom who’s still slightly overbearing and would drive me nuts if we lived under the same roof. I’ve got to find my own place.

Grabbing a box and hoping it contains what I’m looking for, I begin to rifle through when my towel disappears. “Hey!” I cry.

“Just hanging up your towel. Fastidious, remember?” he says, eyeing my naked body with a smile.

“Uh-huh. Can you find my coral-colored T-shirt dress? I’m pretty sure it’s in one of these three boxes,” I say as I slip on my panties, self-conscious with my body on full display. Gabe doesn’t seem to notice my insecurities as he uses his power to fasten my bra for me. The Nephilim is excellent at multitasking.

“If only you’d been more fastidious with your packing,” he laments. I was haphazardly tossing things in unlabeled boxes, when finally Gabe took over using his power, telling me he could take no more.

“That’s why I have a fastidious angel.”

The dress appears on my bed, and I slip it on and check another text message I just received.

Dad: I’m sorry I can’t pick you up from the airport. I’m behind at work. Do you want me to get you a car service?

Me: No thanks. I’ll get a ride.

“That was my Dad, he’s stuck at the hospital. Turek can just take me to the house instead of the airport.”

“He can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I warded your Dad’s place the last time we were there.”

“And you were going to tell me that when?” I ask, hands on my hips.

“When you asked.”

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