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I picked up Forrest’s sticky noteand my insides melted. He’d been more attentive to me than anyone I’d ever dated.

We were now dating—an official couple. I smiled as my heart skipped several beats. I hadn’t expected this development during my work trip, but things had escalated at a rate I couldn’t ignore. We had a powerful attraction. But now we were connected beyond that. We shared a moment in time that changed us. I’d developed my blood phobia, and he’d lost his mother during that car accident.

It was time I faced the weakness trapping me. Years ago, I’d researched ways to overcome hemophobia but hadn’t tried any. When I returned to Providence, I’d look again. Maybe they had new ways to treat this phobia now.

Tonight I just wanted to relax and update my friends. Settling in my bed, I glanced at the clock. It was late, but the time difference should have been okay for texting.

Kiera: Hello. Busy?

Audri:Oh no. What did you do with my Kiera?

Kiera:Eye roll. It’s me.

Michelle:Real Kiera doesn’t say hello.

Natalie:Too formal.

Vivian:We want her back!

Kiera:Okay, bitches! Happy?

Audri:There she is! Lol! What’s up?

Michelle:You met a hot guy?

Kiera:(Smile face emoji)

Natalie:Ooh la la. (Heart emoji)

Vivian:Since when?

Audri:I want all the deets.

The quick texts from so many names made my tired eyes dizzy.

Kiera:Group call, pick up.

“What’s his name?” Audri asked.

“Do we know him?” Vivian chimed in.

“Is he a model?” Michelle inquired.

I waited for all of them to connect so I didn’t have to repeat myself.

“You know what this means, right?” Natalie blurted out.

“What should her mission be?” Michelle asked.

Oh, gosh, I was afraid of what they’d plan for me.

“It’s Forrest.” My face and ears grew hot even though no one could see me.

“A hot guy for our hot girl,” Audri said.

“Have you done the deed? Is he huge?” Vivian asked with a laugh echoed by the other girls. “He’s a hot doctor. I know a lot of doctors and dentists, and they don’t look like him at all.”

He was one of a kind, indeed.