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It’d be like kicking a puppy if I say no.
To Calvin, I give a slight tilt to my head. “Lead on.” Inside, I’m telling Lucia that I’m coming. Wait for me.
CHAPTER 18
LUCIA
“That’s it for the night? No more orders?” I ask my brother.
“Nope, people are finishing up. You can head out if you want.”
My heart sinks with disappointment. I was sure Jase would show up for dinner at some point. I know we left things a bit awkward, but I didn’t think that would keep him away. He must have gotten wrapped up in work. I’m sure he does that a lot.
I suppose that’s the point my sister was trying to make earlier. That I would always come second in Jase’s life. Still, I can’t help but worry about him. Even though I’ve only known him for a short amount of time, this seems out of character for him.
I head upstairs to shower and get changed. While I love what I do, by the end of the night I’m always ready to get the smell of food off me. The entire time I’m showering, I keep thinking about Jase at work not eating. Staying up later than he should.
You need sleep and a full stomach to function. The man is going to wear himself thin. He doesn’t have a mom or siblings to keep an eye on him. I mean, he has a mom, but unfortunately, her condition makes him more of a parent at this point.
I pull my damp hair up before getting dressed in jeans and a hoodie. Once I slip my shoes on, I head back downstairs. Thankfully, everyone is gone, and I don’t have to explain what I’m doing. I mean hell, I don’t even know at this point. What I do know is that the need to take care of Jase is riding me hard. So that’s exactly what I intend to do. It doesn’t take me long to throw together a few quick dishes.
We might be lovers, but maybe we could be friends. I’m so full of it. Friendship is not what I want from him. It would be hard to think of him only as that. Not after the things his mouth did to me the night before. I pull up my phone and google Jase’s full name to see if I can find his office or lab. I’m not sure what you call it.
“Holy crap,” I whisper when I see a million articles on the man.
This man has spent his life saving others. He might not be a surgeon, but his work changes lives. The world needs him. I’m getting down on myself because Jase won’t make me a priority, but it’s a selfish thing for me to ask. He has a calling that serves a greater purpose. How could I ask him to not give it his all?
It’s not a long trek to his office building. The front is all glass. I don’t see hours posted on the building, but I’m guessing random people don’t show up here. They looked closed, but I see a security officer sitting at a desk, so I head inside. When I pull the handle to the door, it opens. The man stands from behind the desk as I approach.
“Good evening, ma'am. Building is closed to visitors until tomorrow. Unless you have identification and clearance to be here,” he informs me.
“Good evening. I don’t have any of those. I was looking for Jase. I mean Dr. Ali. Is he still here? If so, could you call up and let him know that Lucia is here?”
“Dr. Ali isn’t here. He left early this afternoon.”
“Really?” Where has he been all day? Did something happen to his mom?
“I was surprised too, but he ran out of here in a hurry.”
“Okay, thank you.” I turn around and leave. Now I’m only more worried. I grab a cab and head toward his place. When I get there, it’s dark. I’m not sure if I should ring the doorbell. Unable to help myself, I do it.
A pretty woman in blue scrubs answers the door. “Is there something I can help you with?” she asks.
“I was, ah, looking for Jase.” Is this a woman he has over? “I didn’t mean to intrude.” I take a step back.
“You’re not interrupting anything. Dr. Ali isn’t home at the moment.” She cocks her head to the side, her eyes dropping to the bag in my hand. “Are you Lucia?”
“Yes.” She knows my freaking name.
“Come in.” She steps back to open the door for me more. “I’m Bri. I help take care of Jase’s mom.” Right, of course. That makes sense. “He hasn’t been home yet. Jase came home for a bit this morning and then was back out the door.”
Oh God, he’d been with me last night. I hadn’t thought of that either. I kept Jase to myself when his mother might have needed him.
