Page 36 of Romeo

I am unworthy of everything this book promises.Tears sting my eyes, so I quickly close it and put it back on the coffee table.

Unworthy.

That’s what I am.And there’s nothing—not even the Word of God—that can convince me otherwise.

Chapter14

Riley

Lani’s clinic is decorated in soft, earthy tones, and as I sit here in the waiting area, I can’t help but appreciate this place my sister has built.While the rest of us were serving overseas, she worked hard and graduated from medical school at the top of her class.

But because that wasn’t enough for her, she also went and got certified in natural medicine and now uses God’s gifts to us to help her patients heal things that regular medicine would only be able to treat symptom-wise.

She walks both sides for anyone who chooses one over the other and has people come from all over the state to see her.She even has regular patients from Oklahoma and Arkansas.

It’s beyond impressive.

The door opens, and she steps out in her white coat, a yellow sundress beneath it.“Big brother,” she says with a smile.“To what do I owe this honor?”

And now for the reason I’m here.I shove both hands into my pockets.I’ve never been one to get embarrassed about anything—I was the brother who went to the store whenever Lani needed feminine products and couldn’t go herself—but right now, I’m feeling awfully vulnerable.“I—uh—need some nail polish.”

She arches a brow.“Considering a change to your look?I have to say, I think you’d rock hot pink.”

I grin.“Keep it up, and I’ll pull out the photographs I have of you when you tried that bowl cut right before your twelfth birthday.”

She gasps dramatically.“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I would.Now, nail polish.Can I borrow some?If not, then what kind should I buy?There’s, like, a thousand different brands.”

“That depends.”She puts both hands on her hips.“What’s it for?”

“Stuff.”

She arches a brow but doesn’t respond.

“Fine.”I run a hand over the back of my hair but keep the other in my pocket.“Jules can’t repaint her toenails right now because of her injury, and they’re chipped.I thought it might make her feel good to have them done.”

“But you don’t want to take her somewhere to have them painted?”

Why didn’t I think of that?“Oh, I mean, I guess?—”

Lani laughs.“Ease up, Riley.I think it’s a nice gesture, and she probably wouldn’t want to go somewhere surrounded by people right now.”

I relax slightly.“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too.”

“I actually have some in my office.Come on.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously,” she repeats.Lani pushes through the door leading to the back.I offer a wave at her medical assistant as I pass then make my way down the hall and into Lani’s office.She reaches into her desk drawer and pulls out a mint green bag.“This is my emergency kit.There’s nail polish remover, a couple different nail polish colors, and a topcoat.”

I eye the kit.“You have an emergency kit for nail polish?”

“Yeah.And?”

I glance at her nails, noting there’s no color on them.“Doesn’t look like you use it.”

She glares at me.“I’ve been busy.Do you want it or not?”