Page 3 of Fierce-Jax

“You could be allergic to something,” Dr. Davis said. “Your best bet is to see a dermatologist. They will have a better idea and can clear it up.”

He held in the sigh that wanted to escape.

Another doctor he’d have to find the time to see.

“Do you know how long it could be to get in?” he asked.

Jax was a friendly guy. Someone who shook hands with everyone.

No way he was right now so they could see his rash and worry he’d pass it to them.

So he almost came off like an ass. Or had to explain why he didn’t want to shake. He had no idea what this was and it was smack dab on the top of his hand for all to see as if it was a red-eyed monster waiting to gobble everyone up.

“There aren’t a lot of dermatologists in the area,” Dr. Davis said. “And there could be a long wait. Your best bet is to get on their cancellation list.”

“I think there is one in my building,” Jax said. He remembered that now. The building was still under construction, but a few offices were already in.

“What’s the name?” Dr. Davis said.

“Dr. Patrick, I think,” he said. “I can’t remember the first name.”

His doctor was typing into his computer. “Dillion Patrick. I’ll have your record sent over in a few. Give it until this afternoon and call to see if you can get an appointment.”

“Thanks,” he said.

He was walking out when the woman behind the counter said, “Bye, Jax.”

She gave him a little silly wave that he returned. “Bye, Heidi.”

She flushed as if she was stunned he knew her name. Hard not to with the nameplate right there as he went to the window. He paid attention to those things, always wanting people to feel appreciated and have his attention while he was in front of them.

He left his doctor’s office and drove the few miles to work.

When he was walking into the new Fierce-owned building, he looked at the wall of occupants with the digital diagram next to the names and saw Dr. Dillion Patrick was on the third floor and down the hall. He was on the sixth floor and went to the stairs over the elevator. It never hurt to get some exercise in and would help him walk off his frustration over this rash not going anywhere anytime soon.

“Morning, Jax,” Delaney said to him when he pulled the door open.

The strong tart smell of fresh paint and carpet still lingered in the air.

“Morning, Delaney,” he said. “How was your long weekend?”

They’d had Martin Luther King Day off yesterday.

“It was nice,” Delaney said. “And yours?”

“Good as always,” he said, moving toward his office in the back before he got sucked into more conversations like always.

Being the nice boss did have its drawbacks.

His weekend was spent working and then yesterday he took his nephew, Eli, to the movies and out to dinner.

His sister, Roni, was the building manager for Fierce, which included this building and their first one a mile away. Her new husband, Trent, was an attorney located at the other building. They both had to work yesterday and there was no reason for Eli to go to childcare for the day when he enjoyed spending time with him.

At thirty-three, Jax thought he’d have a family of his own by now, but that was the one thing not falling into place as well as he would have liked.

He was waving to staff in their offices and cubicles as he walked by.

“When you have a minute,” Nora said, “I’d like to talk to you.”