Page 11 of Heal Me

“Thank you. I can only stay for a few more minutes. I got a call this morning from the victim liaison with the District Attorney’s office. Did she call you?”

“I saw I had a voicemail from an unknown number. I just haven’t checked my messages.”

I nod. “She warned me that Brad’s defense attorney has already filed for a competency hearing.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning his lawyer is going to argue that Brad is mentally unfit to stand trial.”

“Mentally unfit my behind,” Aubry complains. “So what will happen?”

“My understanding is if the judge agrees, then there will be no trial and Brad will remain institutionalized in a secure mental health facility.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“At first I was angry—you and I both know he’s not insane. But then I thought about having to testify at trial. I really didn’t want to tell a room full of strangers the details of what happened.” Just the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach. “Brad’s lost his soul and he won’t be able to harm anyone else, so I’m okay with it.”

The door chimes and my jaw nearly hits the ground—in walks the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. He looks to be a slightly older than I am, probably in his midtwenties. He’s tall, at least six foot three, with a golden complexion a few shades lighter than mine, strong jaw, and kind eyes. His black hair is slicked back, and he’s wearing an exquisitely tailored three-piece navy suit.

“Aubry,” he says in the most beautiful southern accent, likely a Mississippi drawl. He turns to me with a charming smile and reaches for my hand. “And you are?” His fingers inches from mine, I can feel some kind of weird electricity pass between us.

“Just leaving.” Evading his reach, I hightail it to the door. “I’ve got to get to class. I’ll see you later, Aubry.”

I slide behind the wheel of my car, trying to calm my erratic heartbeat. What the hell was that?

Returning to campus, I enter the auditorium for my organic chemistry class and take a seat, almost in a daze. Everyone’s staring at me, but I don’t care at the moment, as I can’t stop thinking about the sexy man from Aubry’s shop. And whatever that weird energy was between us.

The lecture begins, and I covertly grab my phone, positioning it under my desk.

Me: Sorry if I came across as rude, I needed to get to class. Who was your friend?

The old me would never dare text during class. Jen’s seated next to me, giving me the side-eye, probably thinking the same thing.

Aubry: Not at all! That was Gabe Jennings, he’s Damion’s best friend and law partner. Total southern gentleman.

“Ms. Stanton,” Dr. Murray calls on Jen, and I snap my eyes away from my phone. She answers a question that I missed completely, and I try to focus for the duration of class.

We’re dismissed, and I gather my notebook and pen. “Who were you texting?” Jen asks.

“My new friend, Aubry.”

“Yeah, I heard about her. ‘Metaphysical shop,’” she snarks, using air quotes. “What does that even mean?”

“Sorry, I need to speak to Dr. Murray before he leaves.”

Gathering my things, I make my way to the front of the auditorium, not in the mood to deal with Jen anyway. “Excuse me, Dr. Murray?”

He looks up from packing his things. “Ms. Patel, so nice to have you back with us.”

“Thank you. Here are the assignments I missed,” I say, handing him the papers.

“That was fast. You could take more time if you need it.”

“Thank you, but I don’t.”

“Such the overachiever. You’re going to do well at Harvard,” he says with a proud smile.

I just nod and say goodbye, not wanting to think about Harvard, or metaphysical shops, or sexy men who frequent metaphysical shops.

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