Page 54 of Heal Me

“Don’t mind if I do,” Jen purrs, eyeing Gabe up and down. She’d better count her lucky stars that I haven’t taken Florence and Amelia up on their hexing offer.

“Jen, take it to your room,” Gabe commands, his eyes flickering with light. “Don’t come out for at least fifteen minutes.”

“Of course.” Taking the coffee, she turns around in a daze and walks up the stairs.

“Now, where were we?” Gabe asks, guiding me to my knees.

* * *

I have a hard time focusing during my genetics class, my mind going back to the story of Rumel working with a geneticist to eliminate the giant trait. Thank goodness, because I’m not sure how Gabe and I would fit together if he were a fifty-foot-tall Goliath. We barely fit together as is. I blush, feeling the evidence of that lingering between my thighs.

“You good? I feel like I don’t see you anymore,” Stephanie asks as we gather up our things when class is dismissed.

“I’m great. Just super busy.”

“Busy with a new boyfriend. Jen told us she met him.”

“Hey, wait for me,” Zoe says, catching up with us. “What are we talking about?”

“Charlotte’s new boyfriend.” Stephanie waggles her eyebrows.

“Jen said he’s hot.”

“She should know. She eye fucks him hard enough,” I say and they look shocked. And then they both laugh.

“Charlotte, I’m loving this new you,” Zoe says with a smile. “And does that surprise you about Jen?”

“Nothing surprises me at this point,” I say with a wave goodbye.

Returning to my apartment, I decide on a quick run. Two miles later, I return to the apartment and shower, throwing on my Memphis Magic T-shirt and a pair of leggings. Starting on the homework that isn’t due until next week, the overachiever side of me is hard to turn off. My phone beeps and I check the message:

Dad: I’m sending you two plane tickets to Boston for this weekend. I’ve got some time off and Gabe is free as well. I look forward to seeing you both.

I should be happy Dad’s taken to Gabe so well, but I’m annoyed he didn’t ask me if this weekend works with my schedule before making plans. And now I’m going to have to find someone to cover my Saturday shift at the hospital. My phone beeps again:

Gabe: Your dad just texted me about the two of us coming to see him this weekend. Does that work with your schedule?

Me: Thank you for asking. I’ll make it work.

“Doogie, at least my angel has enough sense to ask me about my schedule.” I hear the door unlock and assume it’s Gabe, but I’m surprised to see Jen. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“Oh, you know. Scrambling to find a roommate in Boston last minute.”

I don’t take the bait. “Are you scheduled to volunteer Saturday at the hospital?”

“Nope.”

“Would you consider taking my shift? I’m going to see my dad this weekend.”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay, thanks,” I say, a bit surprised.

I shouldn’t ask because it’s none of my business, but I’ll blame Vivian’s nosiness rubbing off on me. “What’s going on with you and Dr. Cooper? I thought you were into Elliot?”

Jen surprises me when she starts crying. “Elliot and I were talking engagement ring.”

“So what happened?” I ask, handing her a box of tissues.

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