I shrug and start answering phones. I don’t care if he likes her or not. We’re not together. He’s free to talk, date, and laugh with whomever he wants. I’d just prefer him not to flaunt it in front of me.

The morning moves along at a snail’s pace. I watch the clock turn with every passing minute, waiting for the day to be over. My head starts to pound after the fifth dog comes in, barking so loudly it causes all the animals in the back to go crazy, and Shannon has to bring the pet owner and the dog immediately into the exam room in hopes of calming the other animals. I take that opportunity to go back into Jason’s office where it is quiet and rest my head.

I’m just about to doze off when the door opens. Can I ever just be left alone?

“Hey, you okay? Shannon said you came back here,” Jason asks. I’m thankful he doesn’t turn the light on.

“I just have a headache.”

“Do you need something?”

“Nah. I’ll be okay. Sorry, I’m not much help at the moment.”

“Nonsense. Every little bit helps.” He comes over to me, bending down and resting his hand on my upper back. I keep my head in my hands, afraid to move. I know I need to take a pain pill, but I don’t want to move for my purse.

“You sure you’re okay?”

I let out a sigh. “I don’t know. I think so. I just wish my head would stop pounding. It’s like the pain is taking over my entire body. It wouldn’t leave me alone last night, and now it’s taking over my day, too.”

“Let me help you, okay?”

I nod.

“Where’s your purse?”

“Over there. Sitting on the chair.” My voice is muffled by my hands.

Jason gets up and goes across the room. “You carry pain pills with you, correct?”

I don’t answer. Instead I grunt with frustration. I don’t like taking them.

“Come on. I know you carry them with you wherever you go but refuse to take them, and I know you’re in more pain then you let on. Genna may fall for it, but I see right through it. Take your pills, Aundrea. It’s what they’re there for.”

“Fine. Hand me two, please.”

He hands me two round, white pills along with my water bottle.

After taking the pills, I sit up in the chair. “Jason, I think I need to head out. Do you think you can take me, or call Genna for me? I don’t think I can drive.”

“I’ll take you,” I hear from the doorway. Jason and I both turn our heads to see Parker standing there. His face is expressionless as he looks at me.

I give him a thankful nod and a weak smile.

“Okay,” Jason says beside me. “You okay, or you need help?” He speaks softly so that Parker doesn’t hear.

“I’ll be okay.”

He takes in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, then nods his head. I love that Jason never pushes me. He knows his boundaries and knows when to let things go. I only wish Genna was the same.

Standing up from the desk, I walk toward Parker. I can see in his eyes that he knows I’m not feeling that well. He reaches his hand out and takes mine.

“I’ll let Genna know you’re on your way home, Aundrea. Thanks, Parker.”

I say my goodbyes to Jason, then Shannon at the reception desk. Bryn is calling someone back into the first exam room right off the lobby. She raises her eyebrows in surprise. She almost looks annoyed.

Parker helps me into the car and I immediately put my head back on the headrest, shutting my eyes. My head is throbbing and my neck is on fire.

Parker lightly taps on the passenger window, causing me to open my eyes. He holds up a finger and mouths, “One minute,” then quickly walks back inside. I close my eyes, again, praying the pain medication kicks in fast.

The door opens and Parker slides in. After a few minutes of driving, he reaches over and brushes some hair off my face. “You okay?”

“I’ll be fine, thank you. I think it’s just a migraine.”

“Just rest your eyes. We’ll be there soon.”

I fall in and out of sleep, not paying attention to when the car comes to a stop. I feel as if I’m floating as the drugs set in. Parker opens my door and it’s then I realize we’re not at Genna’s.

“Where are we?” I ask, looking around the parking garage.

“My place. Jason said Genna is working and I want to make sure you’re okay. My place is closer and I have some things I can do. You can lie down and rest. It’s a win-win.”

“Why would you want to be around me when I’m not feeling well? I’ll be no fun.”

“Because I enjoy your company, and I want to make sure you’re taken care of.”

“Thank you, Parker.”

He gets out of the car, and I watch as he makes his way around the front. I grab my purse, bringing it to my lap as he makes his final steps to my door. As much as I’d like to be home, I’m happy he brought me here.

“Come on.” He takes my hand, helping me out. His arm slides across my lower back, hooking onto my hip. He guides me up the parking ramp, through the building, and up to his apartment right into his bedroom.

“Here. You can nap here.” He gestures to the neatly made bed.

My eyes widen. I start to back out of his hold, but he tightens his arms on me. “Aundrea, it’s nothing. My bed is more comfortable than the couch.” He pauses and clears his throat. I think back to our first night together and waking up in his bed.