Page 31 of Unhinged

A smile curved her face as she slipped the card into her purse and adjusted the strap over her shoulder. “Thanks. I’ll keep your offer in mind.”

He studied her for another moment. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Thank you again.” She took a few steps away before turning back. “Hannah was right. You’re a good man, Mr. Stone.”

Momentarily taken aback, he froze, unable to respond. Finally, he managed a little nod. “Thank you, Dr. Stanton.”

She strode away, leaving him to ponder her words. Hannah had been talking about him? That was a good sign, right? Heck yeah, it was. A slow smile spread across his face. It was time to make some rounds, see if he could catch a glimpse of his pretty little doctor.

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

The smell of fresh paint and carpet wafted up to him, and Luke inhaled deeply as he stepped into the brightly lit interior of the newly remodeled office.

Locking the door behind him, he shot a glance toward the reception desk to his right. A desktop computer sat on the Formica countertop, waiting to be hooked up, along with an array of wires and miscellaneous office supplies.

Knox strode around the corner, his steps slowing as his eyes fell on Luke. “I thought I heard the door. Come on back.”

“Place looks great, it’s really coming along.”

“Still have to bring in all the furniture and get everything hooked up, but we should be up and running in another two weeks or so.” He strode into his office and gestured for Luke to follow. “Vivi will be here next week, and two of the guys just flew in a couple days ago.”

Luke nodded absently and dropped into a seat. “How’d the meetings go?”

“Not bad. I was able to get our name out there, make a few contacts, so hopefully we’ll get some business here soon. In fact”—Knox swiped a piece of paper off his desk—“I may have a new job for you if you’ve changed your mind about working at the health center.”

Luke tipped his chin. “What’s that?”

“Some local up-and-coming pop star needs security for an event⁠—”

“Hard pass.”

Knox stared at him. “Do you have something else lined up?”

“I’ve only got a couple weeks left with Hannah. I’ll just stay on.”

One dark brow lifted. “Hannah?”

“Dr. Whitmore,” Luke amended.

“Hannah.” The way Knox said her name raised Luke’s hackles. “The same woman you couldn’t stand a week ago.”

Shoving down the irrational anger, Luke tried to roll the tension from his shoulders. “She’s not that bad.”

“Apparently.”

Knox’s sarcasm was not lost on Luke. “I made a promise and I’ll stick it out.”

“I have no doubts about that,” Knox muttered before turning away and striding behind his desk. He sank into the chair and pinned Luke with a look. “You’re like a brother to me.”

“I—”

“Which means I will kill you if you crap where you eat.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“Don’t be stupid,” Knox shot back. “If you want to have sex with her, by all means, do it. Just wait ‘til the contract is up. But for God’s sake, don’t ruin a good thing for an easy lay.”