Page 53 of Echoes of Him

Not only has he continued to flirt with the waitress the entire time we’ve been here, but he also left me sitting alone at the table for fifteen minutes while he went outside for a cigarette.

When he eventually came back inside again, he ordered himself a beer and then proceeded to take a seat at the bar to drink it.

Who even does that?

I’ve just taken my first bite of tiramisu when my phone vibrates in my handbag. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t even bother answering it. In fact, I put my phone on silent when I got into the car earlier, and the only reason I even brought it with me was in case Andrea had a problem with Bailey, or more realistically, in case I needed it to phone a cab to get home. Call it female intuition.

I do answer it, though, because it’s rude as hell to answer a phone call while on a lovely date with a very polite gentleman. But Ashton lacks in all the ways, so that’s exactly why I do it.

I hold one finger up in the air, the universal sign that I won’t be a second, but Ashton just shrugs his shoulders and sits back in his chair like he too can’t wait for this evening to be over.

Yeah, get over yourself.

Glancing at my phone, I see Dr. Copeland’s name flashing across the screen.Crap. Why is he calling me so late on a work night? Okay, so it’s not really that late. Not even close. It’s barely hit nine o’clock, but still. It’s most out of character for him to be calling me after hours, and it hasn’t happened once since I started my new job.

“Hello? Dr. Copeland?”

The relief in his voice is instant. “Oh, Sienna, thank goodness. I’m so sorry to bother you.”

“No bother at all. Everything alright?”

“Actually, no it isn’t. Chad just called me. He’s having some trouble with a couple of patients, and he’s not sure the orderlies on duty are capable of handling things on their own. Dr. Ramone is out of town, and Dr. Samuels is working the night shift at another facility. I’d go in myself, but I’ve got my hands full here. My car is in the shop, and one of the twins is running a fever. I don’t want to leave my wife here by herself without a car in case it gets any worse, and she needs to go to the hospital.”

I nod. “Understandable.”

“Is there any chance you could possibly swing by and see what all the commotion is about?”

“Oh, uh…” I sneak a quick peek across the table and catch Ashton picking his nose with his little finger.For fuck’s sake.How is it only nine o’clock? Feels like I’ve been here all freaking night. “Yes, of course,” I reply instantly, pushing my chair back so fast the legs squeak loudly on the glossy tiles. “I’ll head over there right now. No problem at all.”

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“What kind of commotion are we talking about?”

“It seems Kael and Devon got into some kind of scuffle again. Chad didn’t give me all the details over the phone, but he thinks Devon’s nose might be broken. A paramedic’s been called in to assess his injuries.”

“What?” I practically shout. Heads turn from all directions. “Shit, sorry. I don’t believe this.”

“Yes, I know. Two steps forward, three steps back.”

This can’t be real. The marrow in my bones turns to cement, thick and heavy, pinning my ass firmly to the seat. I’m so stunned it’s rendered me speechless. Words I don’t even know how to express sit violently on my tongue, desperate to escape, but terrified to do so.

“I’ll make my way over there now.”

“I appreciate it, Sienna. Thank you.”

I end the call, placing my phone back into my handbag. Before I can explain to Ashton how desperately disappointed I am that I have to end our date early, he places his elbows on the table and shuffles forward in his seat.

“So, look, here’s the thing,” he says. “I’m just going to come right out and say it. I’m sure you’re a really nice person, but you’re not really what I was hoping for tonight.”

“Okay—”

“I’m a pretty decent guy, Sienna, I really am. Ask anyone, ask Andrea. I’m not shallow, but looks are important to me.”

“I’m not sure what you mean?”

I know exactly what he means, but I’m going to make the little twerp sweat.

“I just mean, well, I usually date girls who, you know, take care of themselves.”

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