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Hannah nodded. “Of course I understand. But I also know that Gabe is a very competent adult. He can make up his own mind. Part of loving somebody else is trusting them to make the right decision.”
“When did you become the expert?” I asked. “Have you been watching Dr. Phil again?”
“No.” Hannah went back to her desk, averting her gaze. She fidgeted, shuffling some papers then twirling her hair. “I haven’t been going out a lot lately, so I’ve just been doing some thinking.”
I carefully watched my sister’s face. She was hiding something from me, and I had a sinking feeling I knew what it was. “I met Wes this morning,” I said, eager to direct the conversation away from my love life to my sister’s. “He seems like…a strapping young man.”
She nodded, still not looking at me. “I think he can probably handle himself in a fight. I hope so anyway. Isn’t that the point?”
Standing, I decided I’d have to wait to interrogate my sister. I had to get back to the lab. “That is the only point,” I said, my voice a warning. “Don’t let any of his other points, er, point at you. He’s there to protect you, Hannah. You can’t distract him.”
She gave me a haughty look. “Who said I’m distracting him?”
“No one. Yet.” I headed toward the door. “It’s his job to keep you safe. Let him do his job.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said. “And while we’re giving orders, I command you to call Gabe and make up with him. I know you love him, Lauren. You’re lucky you found someone who loves you back.”
I looked at my watch. “I think Dr. Phil is on soon—don’t miss it. Sounds like you need to update your material.”
“I know you love me,” she called as I hustled back down the hallway to the lab. “And lucky for you, I love you back.”
“I am lucky. And I do love you,” I said under my breath.
“I heard that!” my sister called.
Chapter 24
Launch preparation kept me busy for the rest of the week. We met with the FDA and presented our latest results from our clinical trials. I held my breath and crossed my fingers that the final approval would come through soon. While we waited, we moved forward with our in-house manufacturing process.
We were hurtling toward the release in surprisingly good shape.
I had neither seen Gabe nor spoken to him. I texted him every day, just to make sure he was still alive, but only got back terse responses, such as Still alive and Still pissed.
After another week passed, he sent me another text: I want to see you. That’s non-negotiable. I can’t handle worrying about you like this.
I waited until I calmed before I wrote him back. I didn’t want to run the risk that I would throw my plan out the window so I could selfishly be in his arms again. I miss you more than anything, but I think we need to stick with the plan.
Not. Fucking. Happy about it. What do I have to do to get an audience with you?
Wait for me. And you’re not an audience. You’re my boyfriend.
Doesn’t really feel like it, Your Highness.
So he was safe, but he was angry with me. I guess that was the price I had to pay.
He sent me sporadic texts for the rest of the week, but I didn’t respond. I didn’t want to fight with him. I just wanted us both to live long enough so that we could actually have a life together.
Otherwise, things were almost eerily quiet. My employees felt the pressure to get everything in order. Many of them were sleeping at Paragon for just a few hours each night, rising early and heading back to the lab. Eddie had increased security to the point where our office felt a little bit like Fort Knox, which suited me just fine. I didn’t want to get hurt, but more than that, I wanted to protect the people who’d loyally worked with me for so long.
And we were so close. At long last. Once we got our government approval, there was nothing standing between us and the market. Over the past six years, I’d formed partnerships
with domestic labs all over the country; they were ready to begin using the patch for patient testing as soon as it was approved. Dynamica had set up our foreign distribution partnerships, so that piece was in place, as well.
Eva and I were talking in the lab when my phone buzzed. It was Leo. Need to see you.
I headed immediately to his office, knowing that the coder wouldn’t summon me unless it was important. He and Dave hadn’t left the Paragon grounds in weeks. I had to order them to go outside and occasionally take walking breaks. They were starting to resemble zombies, or teenagers who’d been playing video games for a week straight.
“What’s up?” I asked as I went into Leo’s office. The coders were in their typical positions: Leo was slumped over the keyboard at his desk, and Dave sat on the couch, balancing his laptop on his bony knees. Food containers, candy bar wrappers, and empty coconut-infused-water bottles were still scattered everywhere.
