Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
“Christ, don’t even joke.”
Pouring himself a cup, he sat down at the table and gave me a genuine smile. “How’re you doing? Judging by her replies, she seems to have accepted her friendly neighbourhood stalker.”
Sinking into my chair, I groaned at the ceiling. “If anyone is going to get me in trouble, it’s you. Keep your damn voice down.”
“You’re right.” Leaning forward, he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “So…tell me. Is she already in love with you and ready to see the man behind the screen or are you still going along with this?”
“How on earth could she be in love with me? She doesn’t even know me.”
“She’s known you her entire life, dickhead.”
“You know what I mean. Him. X.” I flicked a glance at the door and whispered, “Her friendly neighbourhood stalker.”
Sipping his coffee, he eyed me. His smile fell a little as he no doubt noticed the sleep deprived lines making me look every bit of my lie of thirty-four. I scratched my clean-shaven jaw self-consciously. “What?”
He sighed heavily. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Sacrificing your own health for another’s. What have we talked about?” Pointing at me, he scolded. “Remember the oxygen mask rule? You can’t help others unless you help yourself.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Don’t yeah, yeah me.” Dropping his palm on the table, the loud smack made both of us flinch. “I think it’s good that you’re connecting with her, but I also don’t like that you’re staying up all night watching her or sacrificing your own mental health by falling for this girl all while she falls for someone who isn’t you.”
“There’s no falling involved. We’re just…friends. Not even friends. I’m just helping.”
“There’s that word again, Zan. You and helping isn’t a good mix. It’s great when you’re on the payroll and got your scrubs on but outside of this place?” He arched an eyebrow. “You need to have better balance.”
I sighed.
I wanted to argue but…he was right.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I nodded. “Fine.”
Cupping his ear, he leaned into me. “I didn’t hear you. What did you say?”
I chuckled. “I said I’ll work on getting better balance, jackass.”
“Good boy.” Grabbing his empty cup, he headed toward the sink. “I’m hosting the monthly poker night at my place on Saturday. You’ll be there, right?”
My watch erupted with an alarm, reminding me I needed to check on my patient in recovery. Following him from the staffroom, I nodded. “I’ll be there.”
“And you won’t stand me up if your little damsel needs help?”
“Ah well, I can’t promise that.” I slapped him on the back. “After all, I’m providing a service.”
“You could always bring her. Markus and Oscar are bringing their wives. They’re planning on drinking cocktails on the balcony while we men gamble and drink beer.”
“Somehow, I can’t see that happening.”
He sighed dramatically. “Not as X no. But as Zander…it could.”
I flipped him the bird as I headed down the corridor.
* 15 *
Sailor
Haunted and Hunted
“GOODNIGHT, LILS. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!”
Lily gave me a wobbly wave as she headed down the drive to the Uber waiting on the street. She’d closed a deal on a million-dollar house yesterday. With the commission she’d earn, she had enough to buy the piece of land she’d been eyeing up ever since she decided to scrimp and save every penny to become a developer and not just a real estate agent.
She hiccupped and whisper-shouted, “The night is young. You sure you won’t come with us into town? Steph and I will look after you. Find you a nice, respectful boy who will treat you right.”
I laughed and went to close my front door. “Nah, you guys have fun. I’ve had enough drinking for one night.”
Which is true.
We’d made mojitos with fresh mint and basil from the garden, plenty of crushed ice, and far, far too many shots. I was tipsy and while Lily had been here, it’d been fun, but now she was leaving, the house settled silent and empty around me.
In the shadows, the nightmares got ready to swarm.
Brushing down my jeans and blossom printed blouse, ignoring my still tender bruises, I needed her gone before I revealed just how badly I wasn’t coping.
“Byeeee!” I waved as she slipped into the Uber. “Be safe.”
“Talk to you tomorrow!” She slammed the door. I waited until her ride pulled away. Only once the taillights rounded the end of the street did I back up, lock up, and pad barefoot through the house.
I avoided the living room and refused to look at the carpet between the couch and the coffee table. Already, Milton’s phantom fingers squeezed around my throat, stealing my newly healed voice and making me wish I hadn’t drunk at all.
The house cracked as it cooled for the night.
I jumped so high, I bumped my toe on the skirting board.
“Ow, ow, ow.” Hissing between my teeth, I stood in the spine of the home and did my best to remember only good times. Of Nana baking apple pies and Pops doing a jigsaw puzzle at the dining room table. Not Milton kicking me from room to room or his sick laughter as I bled from his punches.