Page 30 of Stolen Voices

It’s what makes him a brilliant agent. And probably emotionally unavailable.

“As for the cupcake, whatever ingredient they used, she has a severe allergy to it. Since she had a pen on her, she’s aware, so just ask and keep an eye out. You don’t want her to have another reaction. It could be worse next time.”

“Thanks again for coming, Tay.”

“Of course. You know I’d always show up for you. Favor or not.”

My stomach twists again at the way this woman’s sultry voice purrs “always”. Yep. I totally hate her.

“Thanks.”

“I’m going to check on her vitals one more time before I go.” The hinges on the door creak and light streams into the room, making me blink my eyes open. “There you are. How are you feeling, Callie?”

The woman, who I assume is a doctor, presses her warm fingers down on my wrist and stares at her watch, checking my pulse. She’s dressed in a glamorous red satin dress and heels. She must have been at a fancy dinner party before getting the call to come see me.

“Fine,” I croak, my voice scratchy.

The good doctor turns on the bedside lamp, places a stethoscope in her ears, and listens to my heartbeat and breathing. She has long, shiny black hair, almond-shaped eyes, and freckles sprinkled across her cheeks and nose. Her lips are full and pink in the soft light.

She’s exotic looking and gorgeous. Intimidatingly so. The need to check myself in a mirror is strong. Here I am, looking like death, while the hot doctor chitchats with Eli, getting ready to hop in his bed at a moment’s notice.

Knock it off, Callie.I give myself a mental beating for being jealous of the woman who came out of her way to look after me. Eli’s not mine, and he never will be.

“You gave Eli a scare. Do you remember what happened?”

I hate the way she says his name with familiarity. Jealousy is a nasty biotch tonight.

“I do.” I don’t elaborate. She doesn’t need the specifics.

She kindly accepts my answer. “That’s good. Has something like this happened before?”

Memories of my mom and dad rushing me to the hospital as a child have tears stinging my nose. I remember being so scared, but my mom held me tight. She sang to me the entire way to the emergency room. Her sweet voice calmed me down and encouraged me to stay strong. To hold on.

Just the way Eli did.

I lean back on my hands and force myself to sit up against the headboard. “Not since I was a kid.”

“Well, I’m glad you carry that pen with you and that Eli was there to help as soon as he did.” She pats my hand, comforting me to the best of her ability. Her bedside manner is gentle and authentically sweet, making it hard for me to hate her even though I really want to.

“Me too.”

“You need to get plenty of rest and water.”

“I will.” I throw back the blanket, attempting to get out of bed, but Dr. Taylor here is not having it.

She grips the edge of the duvet and covers me again, pushing me back to the mattress. “Doctor’s orders. I can’t have my favorite singer out of commission. I have tickets to see you this fall.”

“Oh… Um. Thanks. I’m sure you and Eli will have a great time,” I mumble.

“Me and Eli? Oh, good lord no, Callie.” She laughs like I just said the funniest joke ever told. “We tried that back in college until I met his ‘intro to legal studies’ study partner and, as people say, the rest is history. I’ve been married to my husband for ten years now. But between you and me…” Taylor lowers her voice and looks towards the door before continuing, “It’s nice to see Eli interested in someone.”

Who? Me?No, no way.

Eli just said he doesn’t think about me like that. It’s something I’ve come to terms with, even if my naïve heart doesn’t fully agree.

Despite our electrically charged introduction in the hallway, Eli has been a tremendous pain in my ass. He acts like a total dick when I’m around. He constantly insults me with snide remarks, and when he’s not judging me, he’s pretending I don’t exist.

He didn’t this week. My heart pipes up.