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“Madison, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t like the idea of you out there walking around by yourself,” Ma said, walking up to the counter wiping her hands on her apron.
“I’ll be fine. If I can survive the streets of New York I can walk less than a block in Arkadia to my brother’s clinic. I’d like to get to know my new brother-in-law,” Madison said, putting her jacket on.
Ma gave her a dubious look.
“I’ll call when I get there,” Madison promised, waving her cell phone.
“Okay, but call me the second you get walk through those doors,” Ma agreed.
“Bye, Ma,” Madison said, pushed open the door, and headed down the street. Less than five minutes later she was walking into the clinic. She pulled out her cell and called the diner.
“I’m here all safe and sound,” she reported.
“Good. Stay out of trouble.”
“I’m with Felix,” Madison reminded her.
“Good point. Keep him out of trouble,” Ma said, laughing.
“I’ll try.” Madison shook her head and slid her phone into her inner jacket pocket.
“Hello! Felix, Maddox,” she called out.
“Back here,” her brother yelled.
She headed to the back through a set of large, glass double doors. She smiled and looked around. This place was her brother all over from the bright-white counters to the stainless steel cabinets.
“Madison, what are you doing here?” her brother asked, looking up from his clipboard.
“I was about to give myself a thousand paper cuts with the sugar packets for fun, before using the salt shaker on the wounds,” she said, jumping up on one of the examination beds.
“Oh thank god! I was going out of my mind here with him to keep me company. He wants to inventory the clinic. Again.” Felix moaned, as he stretched out on the other bed.
“So, what should we do?” Madison asked. Felix shrugged.
“Great, now I’m just bored with company,” Madison said, flopping backward on the bed.
“You could tell me embarrassing stories about Claybourne,” Felix suggested, with a grin.
Madison sat up smiling.
“We can do that. By the way. Why do you call him Claybourne?” she asked, curious.
Felix blushed. “It was the name I knew him by when we met. It was either that or OCD Doc.”
“He can be a bit particular,” Madison said, nodding.
“Heis still in the room,” Claybourne said.
“We know,” both Madison and Felix said together.
“Okay, so spill,” Felix said, lying on one side and propping his head up on his hand.
“Well…” Madison started.
“Madison,” Claybourne warned.
She winked at him. “Did you know that Claybourne was a competitive swimmer in college?” she asked, and Felix’s eyes grew round.