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Chapter Fourteen

IZZIE

I t’s quiet at the clinic, and I’m eating a late dinner with Flora, the vet technician, and watching a nineties Mexican soap opera, La Usurpadora . Flora is obsessed with Gabriela Spanic, the lead actress, and she’s got me hooked. The plot is ridiculous but so addictive.

I usually don’t work twice in a row at this location. They mostly take care of small animals, but one of the residents is sick, and Dr. Bustamante asked if I could cover. I’m happy to help him out because that means I get more opportunities at the other clinic out west, which caters to the horse ranches in the area.

Dr. Bustamante went out to dinner with his wife, and unless we get super busy or I find myself in over my head, I’m running the show until he returns. I’m supposed to work under the supervision of a board-certified vet, but we bend the rules a lot here at the clinic. I’m confident that I can handle any situation. I’m in the final months of my residency, after all.

The bell rings—we keep the door locked at this hour for safety. Both Flora and I glance at the security monitor, and I almost choke on my food when I see Jackson standing outside our building.

“Son of a bitch,” I blurt out.

“What’s wrong? Do you know that man?”

“Unfortunately, I do.”

Flora furrows her brows. “Should I not let him in?”

I stand up. “Oh no. Let him in. I’ve been looking forward to speaking with him.”

She narrows her eyes. “How come I have the feeling that by ‘speaking’ you mean stabbing him with the fork in your hand?”

I glance at the utensil I didn’t realize I was still holding. “Right. I’d better set it down.”

I walk around the reception counter and wait for Flora to buzz Jackson in. The door opens a moment later, and there’s the man I loathe more than anything right now.

“Hello,” he says, as if we weren’t on opposite sides of a conflict he started.

“Hello?” I laugh in derision.

He frowns. “What’s wrong with hello? It’s a form of greeting, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, among friends. I’m assuming you’re looking for me.”

He smirks. “I don’t have a pet in need of medical care with me, do I?”

I watch him through narrowed eyes. “How did you find me?”

“I swung by Triana, and your coworker pointed me this way.”

The only person at Triana who would know this address is Manuel. I took care of his cat once. “That’s surprising.”

“Why? Because he hates my guts?”

“Yeah.” I cross my arms. “I have to give it to you, you have cojones. I’m the last person you should be visiting right now.”

“I get that you’re angry with me.”

“Angry?” I take a step forward. “I’m not angry. I’m furious . Do you have any idea the type of hurt your meddling caused? No, of course you don’t. Or maybe you do, but you don’t care.”

“I—”

“No, you don’t get to talk. It’s my turn. You’ve shown nothing but contempt toward me and my family since we’ve met. You pretended to be friendly when you came to visit us, but you were secretly plotting to break Jane and Chad up. I can’t believe you hired a PI. You’re vile, Jackson Darcy.”

His jaw tenses, and anger seems to burn in his blue eyes. “I was perhaps overcautious, but I’m not vile. I never had malicious intentions toward you or your family. I hoped the PI wouldn’t find anything.”

“Right. I believe you.”

“I’m not lying. That’s why I’m here. I need your help.”

My brows shoot to the heavens. “Oh… I can’t wait to hear this.”

“I need you to convince Jane to give Chad another chance.”

My jaw drops, and I just stare at him for a couple beats. “They broke up thanks to you! You should be ecstatic.”

“Ecstatic to see my best friend suffering like Chad is now? If that were the case, then yes, I’d be despicable. I’m not in the least bit happy about it. Chad is a mess, he won’t talk to me, and he can’t even play hockey anymore.”

My stomach bottoms out when I realize the real motive for Jackson’s visit. “I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“That there had to be a reason for your sudden change of tune. You need Chad’s head back in the game, so you have a shot at winning your precious Stanley Cup.”

His eyes widen. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Bullshit.”

He moves closer, but I hold my ground. I won’t let him intimidate me on my own turf. “I’m not lying. I was wrong. I should never have interfered in Chad’s relationship with your sister.”

“Are you saying Chad doesn’t care about Jane’s past or that our family is broke?”

“He truly doesn’t. He was upset that she didn’t tell him.”

“What about you, Jackson?”

He flinches. “My opinion doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter.” I poke his chest with my finger. “I won’t help you bring Jane and Chad back together so he can focus on hockey, only for you to sabotage their relationship again.”

He looks at my finger, still embedded in his chest, then into my eyes. I’ve never been this close to him on purpose, and I can’t say it isn’t a rush. The air between us seems to crackle with electricity.

“I swear on my mother’s grave that I won’t interfere ever again.”

I step back. “Your mother’s grave? Is she…”

“Dead. Yes.”

Knowing that about him snuffs the anger out of me. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It happened a long time ago.”

A phone rings, and it takes us both a moment to realize it’s Jackson’s phone. He fishes it out of his pocket and glances at the screen. “I’m sorry. I have to take this.”

He walks away, and I return to my spot behind the desk.

Flora, no surprise, was watching us this whole time. “My, my… you’ve been keeping a secret, Izzie.”

“What do you mean?”

“You and that man. I wasn’t sure if you were going to punch his handsome face or kiss him in the middle of the waiting area.”

I grimace. “ Kiss him ? Are you crazy? I detest him.”

She watches me as if she doesn’t believe me. “Sure you do.”

“… what do you mean Dr. Lawrence isn’t available?” Jackson blurts out loudly. He seems agitated. “What about his replacement?” He starts to pace.

“Do you know what that’s all about?” Flora asks.

“No clue.”

He stops suddenly and looks at me. “Never mind. I’m coming over.”

Still staring at me, he puts his phone away. “Where’s the vet?”

“Out to dinner. Why?”

He approaches the counter. “How far along are you in your residency?”

“Uh… I have a couple months to go. What’s going on, Jackson?”

“I have a mare in labor in my ranch, and she’s in distress. Can you help?”

My eyes bug out. “You own a horse ranch?”

“Yes, Izzie. I do. Now you can help me or not?”

I should tell him we should wait for Dr. Bustamante, but I end up saying, “Yes. I can handle it.”

“Let’s go then. It’s an hour drive.”

“An hour ? Will we make it in time?”

“I’ll make sure we do.”