Page 17 of Fake It Till You Make It
“No. And it’s not.”
“Okay. Okay.” Maybe she could negotiate a settlement like those cheesy injury lawyer commercials. “You have to promise not to fire me, first. No matter what you hear.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“Have you never negotiated? There are trade-offs involved. Quid pro quo.”
“Keep dragging this out and firing is what you’re gonna get.”
They were both healthcare providers, trained to be empathetic. He would understand, maybe even agree with her. She ventured a look up at those jeweled eyes that no print media could capture. Nope. No agreement in his stony features. Eli Calvary had a warring, avenger, dark-lord vibe. For now, she was under his command.
“So, Prince and I had a rough Monday,” she began.
“Why? Did something bad happen?” He waited for her to continue and explain who and where her Prince had disappeared to. Eyes intent, focused on the words as they hung, unspoken, behind her lips. Lips he traced with his gaze.
“In a manner of speaking,” she cleared her throat, “yes.”
“Forget a manner of speaking.” Their glares locked. “Tell me the matter-of-facts.”
“Now see here, Eli Calvary. I still have a right to my privacy. Since when is my commute your business?”
No one had ever been interested in her comings and goings. That had bothered her for years. Then she’d found comfort in others not having any expectations of her. When no one cared, it didn’t matter what your choices were, good, bad, or indifferent.
“You’re hiding something.”
“I’m a woman. I’m allowed secrets. A lady should possess a certain amount of intrigue. Just accept that I’m a mythical creature. As such, I can never be fully understood. Just move on.”
“Ah, that’s rich. You’re rambling and BS-ing again.”
Of course, he was right. It was one of her telltale signs whenever she got overwhelmed. She could do this. Amarie Walker failed at many things, actually most things, but no matter the circumstances, she finished what she started.
She sighed, not seeing any way around spilling the details Mrs. Kline missed.
“So, here’s the deal—”
The bell above the door dinged. Eli turned just as Amarie looked up. In walked a colorful caravan of ladies waving pink flyers.
“Oh no you don’t,” Eli started, but Amarie seized the opportunity of distraction.
“Excuse me, boss. Customers before conflict.”
“Howdy, Eli.” A rail-thin woman with gray roots and blonde-frosted tips grinned. “Mrs. Kline said the new girl has livened up the place and to git here quick as lightning. I got questions about you and your brothers being up for grabs, too. Which one of you is into feet?”
“Noah,” Leah and Eli yelled in unison.
Amarie so forgave Mrs. K for gossiping right now. She used the interruption to focus on her job. Eli’s inquisition averted. “Happy Tuesday, ladies, step right up and I’ll get you checked in. I’m Amarie, the new girl-slash-receptionist. I have a new intake form with our payment options for each of you to complete and then you can see the doctor.”
Eli swung around so fast, Amarie took a step back.
“They don’t even have pets.” His voice practically boomed in the small space.
“Then I’ll book them as walk-in consultations,” she hissed, leaning in. “Let me handle this, please.”
“You,” he sputtered, “are not off the hook.” Eli tapped the side of his temple, threatening her with his one-track mind. “Come on, Hiccup.”
The canine resting at her feet lifted a brow in response but stayed put.
“Traitor,” Eli barked.
