: Chapter 37

Lexie hasn’t left her sister’s bedside since she was brought in from post-op. Other nurses have poked their heads in to say hello to her, the excitement buzzing around the halls makes her seem like a local celebrity. That’s my Lexie, beloved by all.

About an hour and a half after Samantha woke up, a man had dashed into the room with a look of pure panic. After frantically checking on Samantha, he introduced himself as her boyfriend, Noah.

Standing in the corner observing, I overheard Lexie’s sister tell her the story of how they got together. Samantha said they met at work, and I’m assuming she meant her job in customer service at the realtor’s office.

It was what Lexie called a “meet cute” when Samantha rounded the corner without paying attention and bumped into Noah, spilling her tea on his shoe in the process. They had become friends, but it’s clear to me Noah never had any intention of remaining in the friendzone. From the way he looks at Samantha I can see that he was desperate to win her over, and now he’s determined to keep her.

I know the feeling.

As much as I’d like to stay with Lexie at Samantha’s bedside, my work doesn’t stop rolling in. So here I am, standing in the hallway, ending another call.

Stassi Monroe, a socialite from the Upper East Side, is having an issue with a paparazzo stalking her and sabotaging her charity work. Stassi’s parents are loyal clients who own half the real estate in New York City, so this isn’t a job I can ignore. But it is something I can delegate, so Liam is on his way over to her apartment to gather more information.

When I turn around to see another doctor coming out of the private hospital room, sent off with a brilliant smile from the same woman who refuses to even look at me, I see red. I’m going out of my fucking mind.

I recognize just how short my fuse is right now, but that doesn’t change the outcome. A man could get frost bite from the arctic breeze coming from Lexie’s shoulder. It’s a slow, cruel torture to watch her light shine on everyone but me, and an exercise for my restrain not to destroy the people who do get to be on the receiving end of her smile.

I need to calm the fuck down.

Air enters and exits my lungs harshly to force a deep breath before I walk back into Samantha’s room. Lexie is where I left her at her sister’s bedside, catching up on the last seven months they’ve been separated on opposite coasts. Noah’s perched on the edge of the bed while they all chat, chiming in to add details to whatever story Samantha’s telling.

Shrugging out of my suit coat, I toss it over the back of the chair in the corner. Sensing movement over my shoulder, I turn to see Mia standing a few steps away. She tucks the chart she was looking at under her arm and walks closer.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” I say mildly, rolling my sleeve up to my elbow. Critical brown eyes move over me in consideration.

“Really? I don’t hear much about you. Or anything else for that matter, since you came into the picture.” It’s difficult to decide if I need to put on a mask with Mia. It’s my initial instinct with anyone new I meet. But she’s standing here trying to read me—like I’m a tabloid and she trying to determine if the headline is a ploy or not.

“It’s probably better that way.”

“Is it?” she counters. Before I get a chance to respond she’s continuing. “Look, I know you’re a business man—what kind of business, I have no clue—and you’re clearly a very successful one. I realize there are things I can’t know. Lexie would never tell me if she signed an NDA, she’s smarter than that, but I’m guessing there is one. And I’m sure a man like you keeps his business very private. So I really only have one question for you.”

“Alright.”

“Do I need to worry about you hurting her?” The question has multiple meanings with various degrees of depth. But the answer is the same for all of them.

“No, never.” My eyes move to where Lexie is sitting next to the hospital bed with her sister, holding her hand as they chat softly. Looking at them, the picture of sisterly love, is a reminder that I have a few things to do.

There’s a problem that needs to be fixed.

Mia’s gaze follows mine, her face softening visibly at the sight of her best friend’s familial moment. She then turns her gaze back to me thoughtfully. “You’re in love with her.” It’s not a question.

“Yes, I am.”

“You haven’t told her.” Another astute summation instead of a question.

“No, I haven’t.” There’s a brief silence that settles between us as she observes me.

“Lexie is the best person I’ve ever met. She’s the best person most people will ever meet. But in the back of her mind she’s always expecting everyone to get bored of her and toss her aside. But she deserves a forever with someone who’s absolutely obsessed with her. So don’t tell her unless you’re going to be that forever.” Her eyes move between me and Lexie again. “Judging by the way you haven’t been able to keep your eyes off her, you just might be.”

Standing with Lexie’s best friend, her words sink in as we watch over them. My phone buzzes in my hand as I receive a message I’ve been expecting.

“Keep an eye on her for me. I have some business that can’t wait.” I consider telling Lexie that I’m leaving. But there’s still a lot of tension between us and I don’t want to interrupt her time with her sister. She probably won’t notice I’m gone.

“I will.” With Mia’s assurance, I silently step out of the hospital room and make my way outside. Roscoe is waiting for me out front, his expression grave as I climb in the passenger seat.

“Let’s go get this fucker.”