Page 25 of Maxwell

Jasmine closed her eyes momentarily, took a deep breath, and turned around.

Maxwell was leaning against the doorframe. She had no idea how long he’d been standing there and what he’d heard since his face offered no information.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I wanted to leave this in Patricia’s mailbox so she could see it first thing Monday morning.” He held up an envelope and then pushed away from the door to stroll into the space.

Keisha—who Jasmine planned to murder very shortly—spun her chair toward the computer and started energetically typing.

Maxwell dropped the envelope into Patricia’s box. On his way out, he paused. “I didn’t know my presence was a problem.”

His dark eyes held a trace of amusement, which she found profoundly annoying. He already had a big ego, and whatever he’d overhead had probably made it swell to the size of the moon.

“It’s not,” she assured him.

“Really?” That single question was said in a way that suggested he had heard something different. “For the record, I don’t flirt with my patients’ mothers.”

“I never said you did.”

“I wanted to make that clear.”

“Noted.” She refused to look away, locking eyes with him.

Finally, the amusement touched his lips. “Good night, Keisha,” he said.

Keisha jumped, as if she had been so absorbed with her work, what he said shocked her. “Good night, Dr. Santana.”

“Jasmine, good night. I hope you have a great weekend.”

“Thank you.”

He walked away, moving silently down the hall.

Jasmine let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and swiveled toward Keisha.

“Don’t kill me,” Keisha said immediately.

“Why should I spare your life? How could you not tell me he was standing right there?” she jabbed a finger toward the empty doorway.

“I tried to tell you with my eyes, but⁠—”

“With your eyes?” Jasmine whispered fiercely.

“Yes. But you were having such a good time making fun of Mrs. Livingston, you weren’t paying attention.”

“Maybe I do need that optometrist referral after all.” She glared at Keisha.

Keisha pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

“Don’t you dare,” Jasmine warned.

Unable to hold it any longer, Keisha busted out laughing. She snorted, which made Jasmine laugh too. Keisha removed her glasses and dropped her head on the desk, shoulders shaking as she was consumed with laughter.

When they both sobered, Jasmine shook her head. “Never a dull moment with you.”

“You wouldn’t have it any other way.” Keisha popped the last piece of her protein bar in her mouth and put her glasses back on her face.

“You’re absolutely right,” Jasmine admitted. “I’m gonna finish up in my office and then leave. How much longer are you staying?”

“Ten more minutes, max.”