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Her eyes narrowed on his injury. “Were you seriously challenging me to a drag race with a broken wrist?”
“What can I say?” He looked so unconcerned that she wondered if he’d taken something to mask the pain. “I’m a car man.”
The drag racing kind. Right. She supposed that explained the grease stains on his hands. She’d originally mistaken them for ink stains. The greenish stuff was all over his jeans, as well.
“I’m going to order an x-ray to confirm it’s broken.” She scribbled something on the paper clipped to her board.
“Why wouldn’t you race me?” Mato demanded with a cocky tilt to his head.
“I have patients depending on me.” She refused to let him rattle her. “Getting pulled over for reckless driving would make me late for work.”
“Eh, loosen up a little, doc. Life’s too short to make it all about work.”
She gave him a tight smile and tried to steer the conversation in another direction. “I heard your cousin, Alina, was in town. I don’t believe she and I have ever met.”
“Ain’t missing much.” His upper lip curled. “She’s as boring as you are.”
Prim’s heart lightened at the nugget of information he’d inadvertently handed her. It probably meant Alina Paddock possessed a better moral compass than the brat sitting in front of her.
“Mato, Mato, Mato.” She gave him an admonishing tsk-tsk. Talk about biting the hand that fed him! He was a real piece of work.
“I know, I know,” he growled. “That was uncalled for. It’s the pain talking.”
It was dangerously close to an apology, one she hadn’t been expecting. She grimaced, not knowing what to think of him. “We’re going to take care of you.” She always did her job, even when dealing with difficult patients. She left the room to send in the nurse to give him some pain meds and wheel him to the x-ray room.
Lunch time rolled around. Just thinking about the person Prim had agreed to meet was enough to steal her appetite. She texted Shep to see if he was awake yet.
Are you hungry?
There was no answering text. She waited ten minutes before trying again.
Got a blast from the past wanting to interview me about the feud. Any chance you can meet us at the grill at 1:30?
Still no answer. Sighing, she shot off a message to her mother.
Did you honestly send me a gift by way of Ashton English?
Her mother’s answering text made her chuckle, despite her irritation.
Who is this? Have we met?
Prim sent back one word.
Mom!
Summer Midraven’s response gave her a stomach ache.
Yes, I sent a gift. Were you surprised to see Ashton?
Prim was aghast that she was acting like it was no big deal.
Please don’t encourage my ex.
There was a pause before her mother’s answer came through.
Guess I’ve been holding out for a 9thinning comeback between you two.
Prim grimaced.
