Chapter 29: Chapter 29

ANNA

Two months have passed. I still have no memory of what happened.

Damitry gave me a vague answer when I asked him about it. Ever since, he has been distant, always busy, and away on business trips.

I feel hollow inside. I am back at work, even though Dr. Gordon told me not to come. I can’t stay home and wallow anymore.

They told me to go to therapy, but I didn’t see why. It’s not like they would be able to tell me what happened.

I haven’t heard from Damitry in two days. It’s not like him, ignoring my calls and texts. We have grown apart, but it doesn’t bother me as much as it should.

I am working with Dr. Gordon. He wants to keep an eye on me, so he keeps me close by.

If it’s not him fussing over me, it’s Ray. She is so supportive, but a little annoying. Every nightmare I have, she comes bursting through the doors.

I’m not sure what to make of the nightmares. Are they flashbacks of the past seven months or just dreams?

I wonder if I will ever get my memories back. To be honest, I’m a bit scared of what they might hold.

At the end of the shift, Ray is waiting in the locker room.

“Hey, honey, how was your day?” She winks at me and smiles.

“Slow. Yours?” I give her a fake smile.

“Boring. Jordan is waiting for us—he wants to take us out for dinner. You in?”

~I’m glad they are happy.~

“Yeah, a change of scenery might be just what I need.”

Ray grabs my hand and we stroll out the door. Jordan is waiting for us with a bright smile and a bouquet of red roses for Ray. He is so sweet, spoiling her way too much.

“Hey, you guys go ahead. I’ll meet you there, just forgot my phone in the locker room.”

Ray frowns at me. “Are you sure? We can wait.”

I flash her a sweet smile. “I’ll be fine, promise. Go.” I wave them off and rush back into the hospital.

Dr. Gordon is making his rounds as I sprint past him.

“Anna?” He frowns, and I stop in my tracks.

“Doctor G. Sorry, I’m in a bit of a rush.”

“I can see that. Where are you running to?”

“Forgot my phone in the locker room.”

“Ah. Well, don’t let me keep you. Go enjoy.” He flashes me a smile and strolls into a room.

I spin around and am about to sprint off when some idiot opens a door in front of me. I faceplant into it and fall on my ass.

“Ouch!” I cry out as my nose starts to bleed. I cup my face and try to stand.

A hand reaches out to me. I look up and stare into the most beautiful ice-blue eyes I have ever seen.

“Take my hand.”

The man smiles at me and a shiver runs down my spine.

I narrow my eyes at him. “No, thanks.”

He starts to laugh. “Oh, flower, let me help you.”

~If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be in this situation.~

“I’ll be fine.” I rise to my feet and fix my clothes.

“If you say so.” He smirks and crosses his arms over his chest. “My name is Roland.”

~What, are we friends now? You just smacked me with a door.~

“Do you usually hit people with a door and then give them your name?” I ask sarcastically.

“No, normally people watch where they’re going and avoid being hit with a door. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch ~your~ name.”

“I didn’t give it.” I start to walk away.

“How am I supposed to say sorry if I don’t have your name?”

“Dr. Pattinson.”

~Why is he getting under my skin? Something about him seems familiar.~

“Well then, Dr. Pattinson, I’m sorry for being so clumsy, blaming the door on your face. I’m sorry I wasn’t born with x-ray vision.”

“Are you mocking me?” I narrow my eyes and walk closer to him.

“I wouldn’t dare mock a beautiful woman like you.” He takes a step closer to me.

His words have me gasping for air.

“Does that usually work for you?” I whisper.

His gaze keeps me frozen on the spot.

He grins. “I’m sorry if I offended you, I really didn’t mean to.” He takes one more step closer. We’re inches apart.

“No harm, no foul.” I smile, sidestep him, and head to the locker room.

~Holy shit, what was that?~

I let out a breath of air. My nose has stopped bleeding. I reach for my phone,

~Five messages from Ray, and six missed calls. Oh, shit, dinner. She must be going crazy. She’s going to be so mad.~

I slam my locker shut, and send her a text, telling her I’m fine and will be there in a few. Sprinting out of the locker room, I hurry to the exit.

“Dr. Pattinson!” A nurse from the desk calls my name. I look over my shoulder to answer and faceplant into a brick of a man, sending me crashing toward the floor for the second time that day.

He catches me in midair.

Our eyes meet and my whole body lights up.

“You.” I narrow my eyes at him.

“Well, not the reaction I expected,” he says as he steadies me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I fix my clothes.

“Visiting, if you must know.”

I push forward and, thanks to my excellent balance, I stumble and have to use him to catch myself, pressing my hands on his chest.

He smiles.

“Hey, at least buy me dinner first.”

I narrow my eyes at him and rip my hands from his chest as a blush creeps up my face.

“Sorry!” I sprint to the exit.

“Wait!” he shouts as I disappear through the door.

I make it to dinner, finally. Ray and Jordan have already ordered drinks for us. I feel frustrated after my encounter with Mr. Sexy.

“Anna, you seem distant. What’s up?” Ray looks at me, worried.

“I ran into an arrogant asshole at the hospital.”

“Well, if it’s bothering you so much, then he must be a ~hot~ arrogant asshole.” She chuckles and downs her glass.

“Anna, now that you’re back, I would love it if you would be my maid of honor.”

I smile at her brightly. “I would love to.”

She grabs my hand. “Thanks! Now, we need to discuss the wedding.”

For the rest of dinner, we start to make wedding plans. She wants to get married in four months.

We talk about places to tie the knot. She shows me a few dresses she is thinking about for the bridesmaids; her mother is making her dress.

Everything about the wedding sounds beautiful. I just hope we can get everything done in time.

***

That night I can’t get Roland out of my mind. I pull my pillow over my head. Every time I close my eyes, I see his beautiful eyes staring back at me.

~This is so frustrating.~

I grab my phone from the bedside table and tap Damitry’s number. He answers on the third ring.

“Hello, cupcake.”

“Hi. Sorry for calling you this late.”

“Oh, no, don’t worry about it. So, can’t sleep?”

“Yes. I miss you.”

“You do?” He sounds surprised.

~Why wouldn’t I miss him?~

“Yes. When will you be back?”

“I just landed. May I come over?”

~Do I really want him here tonight?~

“Okay. It will be nice seeing you again.”

“I’ll see you in just a few, okay?”

“Okay.” I end the call and go downstairs.

My mind keeps on wandering back to Roland. I put on the kettle, thinking coffee will be nice.

The kitchen table is full of wedding plan pictures. I can’t help but smile at the happy day ahead.

~I wonder if Damitry will ever propose.~

A knock on the door makes me jump, and I go to open it.

“Hey, cupcake.” Damitry pulls me to his chest.

~I don’t feel the warmth I once felt in his embrace.~

I give him a frown and take a step back.

“Hey, come in. Something to drink?”

“Nah, let’s go to bed.” He smiles at me.

“Okay. You do look tired.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t want to ~sleep~, cupcake.”

“Damitry, I—”

He cuts me off by kissing me on the lips. It is a lustful kiss but has no emotion.

~It’s not like I remember.~

“Don’t think,” he whispers as he rains kisses up and down my neck.

“Damitry, wait.” I place my hands on his chest.

“Anna, I need you,” he says in my ear. Normally, his words would make my heart beat faster, but tonight they feel meaningless.

I push him away. “Wait!”

He tilts his head to one side and frowns. “What’s going on with you?” He looks mad.

“Nothing. I’m just not in the mood.”

He pushes me to the wall and cages me in with his arms.

“Let me get you in the mood, then,” he says in his sexy, husky voice, and starts to kiss me again. “I’ve missed you.”

I cup his face with my hands. Only our noses are touching.

“I missed you too.”

He smiles his panty-dropping smile. “Now, tell me again you don’t want this.”

I gulp. “Let’s just talk for tonight, okay?”

~I’m not sure what I want. I did miss him, but something is missing between us. The spark is gone.~

“Okay, we can talk.”

He strolls to the couch. I follow and sit next to him.

“I feel there is something pushing us apart.”

He frowns at me.

“Oh, I see.” He takes my hand, “Anna, my feelings for you haven’t changed.”

~How can I tell him mine have?~

“Well, that’s just it. Ever since I got back, something is different. My feelings for you have changed.”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

I feel my emotions building up inside me. “I like you, but as a friend. Our relationship isn’t working, and I know you feel the same.”

He shakes his head.

“So, we are breaking up?” He narrows his eyes at me.

“No. I don’t know, maybe we just need a break.”

“Anna, baby, I’m not going to be kept on a leash while you figure out what you want.”

He stands. “I think breaking up will be the best option. I will be your friend, but that will be all. Goodnight, Anna.”

He kisses my forehead and strolls out the door.

~Okay, that just happened. Why didn’t that breakup hurt me?~

“Ugh.” I cup my head. “What’s wrong with me?”

I check the time. It’s just past three in the morning.

~Well, it won’t help to go back to bed. I need to go work in two hours. Ugh, this is going to be a long day.~ A~ quick shower will be nice.~

I wash my hair and shave my legs, brush my teeth, and head back upstairs.

Ray comes strolling into my room.

“Ray!” I shout, and grab my shirt.

“Oh, please, Anna. It’s not like you have something I don’t.” She faceplants onto my bed. “I’m so tired. Can’t we call in sick?”

I chuckle as I start to pull on my clothes. “Nope. Now get your stinky butt off my bed and go take a shower.”

“Yes, mom.” She drags herself upright and heads for the door, then pauses.

“Hey, did Damitry visit you last night?” She pops her eyebrows, “Late night booty call, maybe?”

A tear escapes my eyes as good memories come streaming back.

“We broke up.”

She pulls me to her and strokes my hair.

“He’s an idiot.”

I smile at her.

“Now we ~have~ to stay home. A broken heart needs mending.” She gives me a bright smile.

“Oh, Ray. Go shower. I’ll be okay.”

She holds me at arm’s length. “Okay, but tonight we will go dance and party away all our sorrows.”

She smiles and plants a kiss on my cheek.

***

I’m a walking zombie all day at work.

Just before lunch, Ray comes sprinting my way with a smile on her face.

“Anna, there is a super-hot guy asking for you.” She hooks into my arm and pulls me to the front desk. We peek around the corner.

“There is the hottie.” She points to Roland.

“Oh, him.” I roll my eyes.

She frowns, “Oh, yes, him. And how do we know him?”

I pull her to the bathroom. “Remember that arrogant asshole I told you about?”

She tilts her head to one side.

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s him.”

She bursts out into laughter.

“Wait, what? That’s him? Holy shit, Anna. I have to say I would have jumped him by now.”

I shake my head at her reaction.

“I mean, have you seen him?” she goes on. “He makes all the men here look like schoolboys. He’s one hell of a man.”

“I suppose he ~is~ sexy.”

“Right? Now go out there and make me proud.” She winks at me and pushes me out the door. “Go, honey. He’s not going to wait all day.”

~She’s right.~

I stroll in Roland’s direction. Our eyes meet, and he smiles at me.

“Hi.” He hands me a bouquet of flowers.

“Hi. Thanks.” I take it from him.

“Sorry for the other day. Would you like to have lunch with me?”

I look over my shoulder. Ray is standing there, bubbling with excitement. I shake my head and smile.

“Well, to be honest, I just broke up with my boyfriend.”

“I understand, but it’s not a date, it’s just lunch. My treat, to say sorry for being so forward,” he says.

“Well, if you’re buying, then I’m in.”

He starts to laugh and holds his hand out for me.

“Your friend over there already told me that it’s lunchtime for you. I will have you back in time.”

I grin at him and stroll out the door without taking the hand he offers. He follows me out.

“So what shall I call you, flower?”

I flash him a bright smile.

“My name is Annabeth.”