Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Dr. Wright swallowed down her initial response to my question, and covered it with a professional but completely insincere smile. “Well, Mr. Ross, seeing as you came all the way from California to take advantage of our world-class medical care, I think it’s pretty important that we discuss what brought you here.”
I couldn’t look away from those big green eyes, wondering if the tiny chips that reflected off the overhead light were gold or silver or a combination of both.
“You can rest assured that your privacy is our top concern, after your well-being of course. All the relevant non-disclosure paperwork has been signed, not to mention the whole HIPAA thing that ensures none of us can speak of your health concerns.” She smiled again and it was beautiful and sincere this time.
She was right. If I couldn’t talk about what brought me all the way to a tiny town in Oregon, then I was wasting her time, which as a hospital administrator I was sure she didn’t have much of to spare. A long-suffering sigh escaped and I turned my gaze to my impatient agent.
“Alex, a moment alone, please?”
I knew he wouldn’t go for it because the man thought I couldn’t wipe my ass without consulting him first. “I don’t like it, Gavin.”
“I know you don’t, but this is difficult enough as it is.”
Alex shook his head and stood, grabbing both of his phones and heading for the door, but not without a comforting look at me. “I’m just outside if you need me.” And then he cast a threatening look at Suzie. “Discretion, Dr. Wright.”
“Of course,” she told him stiffly. “You do your job, Mr. Storm, and I will do mine.”
Damn, she’s feisty, too. I liked that in a woman, a hell of a lot.
Dr. Wright stayed silent even after Alex had departed the room. The stubborn woman was determined to wait me out until I spilled the details of what brought me to Oregon.
“I’m not trying to be difficult, Dr. Wright. This, well, it’s not easy to talk about.” I hated feeling vulnerable, especially in front of strangers, and in particular strangers who didn’t think I was worth a damn.
But she flashed a dazzling smile that lit up her whole face, and some of the tension had left her delicate shoulders. “Call me Suzie, since we’re about to get personal.”
“Suzie. Is that short for Suzanne?”
“Susannah, actually.” She smiled again and let out a gentle breath. “Medical issues are never easy to talk about with strangers, especially for a man whose entire reputation is built on being incredibly strong and masculine and fit. I get that, but I promise you that I’m only here to help.”
I was a man with a healthy ego—couldn’t do my job without that—but her words brought a smile to my face. “You sound like a woman who’s listened to a song or two of mine.”
“Wrong.” Suzie sat up tall, hands folded over each other all prim and proper like. Her bright green eyes settled on my face, her expression serious. “I own all twelve albums and I’ve listened to them enough to know who you are, Gavin. If I gush over your skills as a singer and songwriter, will that make it easier for you to tell me what brought you here?”
Suzie Wright was a confident woman, in addition to being smart and accomplished. The fact that she was a fan made her irresistible. I licked my lips and leaned across the table, with a crooked smile.
“It can’t hurt to try, can it?”
Her serious expression brought me up short, but a smile made the corners of her lips twitch and then she let her head fall forward with a husky laugh. The sound was engaging and intoxicating. Cock-hardening.
“Fine. ‘Long Gone, But Never Far Away’ got me through the passing of my parents, within six months of each other. They took me in and helped me become the best version of myself that I could. They were everything to me, and losing them devastated me. Listening to that song on repeat got me through two funerals, and my thesis defense. It dug me out of a really dark and terrifyingly deep hole.”
Wow. I blinked rapidly at her heartfelt words, feeling the heat and sincerity of them down to the depths of my own heart. I expected a bullshit answer about how one of my songs was playing when she met her first love or something along those lines, but her story? It shocked me and reminded me of just how important creating music had always been to me. And why what I did was so important.
“Wow. I’m sorry about your parents, but I’m glad my words were able to help you heal.”
“Me too.” Suzie’s smile was a little bit sad but her eyes were solely focused on mine. “Your turn.”