Page 119 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

“What?” My heart stopped. No, I had to have heard her wrong.

Cece groaned. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

“Did he give up the Toussaint?”

She glanced at me and nodded. “Yes. Nivens agreed to let you back into the program and to not sue you or your dad for a breach of contract. I think he’s on his way there now.”

“Fuck. He can’tdothat.”

My education and Dad’s reputation were not enough to give up such a priceless family heirloom. Why had I not stopped him from leaving? It all hit me. Jaxon had seen the real me. He figured out I hid behind my books so I didn’t have to face the real world, and now he was making sure I got what he thought I wanted. What I’d thought I wanted.

But I wanted him more. This degree meant nothing if I couldn't have him.

“You mean more to him than the book, Lil. When are you going to realize you are his everything?”

“Now. Oh, God, Cece. I’m such a fool. I can’t let him do that.” I’d hurt him. Now I could only pray he’d forgive me.

“Then go.” She grabbed her car keys out from under the counter and my purse, tossing them at me. “I’m parked out front. Get to the university to stop him. I’ll keep an eye on Patches.”

“Thank you.” I shoved the mail into my purse, blew her and Patches a kiss, and ran out the door. Once in the car, I prayed I could get there in enough time to stop Jaxon from making a very big mistake.

***

CECE TEXTED ME. SHE’Dgotten in touch with Jess and let her know I was on my way. Jess was then able to delay their arrival by demanding they stop at a specialty coffee shop. Apparently, Jaxon was fuming because she took her sweet time ordering.

I jerked the wheel and grabbed a parking spot on a side street at the last minute. It was close to Nivens’s office and if I hurried, I might make it on time. I looked down at the passenger side, where my purse and all the mail I shoved inside, now laid in a heap on the floor.

I was about to leave it all there when a familiar logo caught my eye. The neurologist’s office. I gasped as I quickly tore open the envelope and read the letter. Tears spilled from my eyes by the time I got to the end.

Not only had they moved up Dad’s appointment to next week. The doctor had reviewed his file and determined he had a place in the ground-breaking study he needed.

My breath caught in my throat. Jaxon had done this. I knew how bad he felt that we’d missed the initial appointment. This was his way of making it up to us.

I jumped out of the car, hitting the automatic lock, and sprinted across the street. I only had a few minutes to stop Jaxon from doing something he’d regret and to beg for his forgiveness.

For someone so smart I was such an idiot sometimes.

With my heart racing I dashed ahead, sweat pouring down my face. It was a hot summer day, and the sweats I wore in the air-conditioned bookstore were not the best choice right now. I beelined through the quad, taking the most direct route, not bothering to stay on the designated paths.

By the time I made it to Nivens’s office I was bent over, gasping for breath, hoping no one inside the office could hear me.

“Thank yousomuch for knocking, Dr. Beast.” Nivens voice grated on me through the open door.

I imagined Jaxon giving him his best smirk. He was the most adorable asshole.

"Come on Nivens, you know it’s our thing.”

Nivens harrumphed. “Is that it? Bring the book to me.”

“Not until you call Lily LeBeau to tell her what we agreed to. Then we sign this contract, and the book is yours.”

They were going to call me?

“Do you doubt I’ll keep my word?” Nivens gasped.

“Do you really want me to answer that?” Now I pictured Jaxon leveling him with his best ‘don’t fuck with me’ glare.

Jess snickered.