It’s a demand of the universe, one I hope it respects because I need Holly in my life. And Olive. They’ve been worth the risk for sure, and so has Jacob.

Maybe Blake will be too?

Chapter 15

Zoey

“I’ve got something for you,” Blake’s voice sing-songs from behind me.

Oh, I bet you do, I answer in my head before spinning in my chair to see him standing in my doorway. He’s wearing gray slacks, a pale blue button-up that’s loose at the collar and rolled up his forearms, and a black belt that perfectly matches his black shoes. He looks sexy, smart, and powerful.

Aloud, I say, “I wasn’t expecting you.”

I can feel the smile stretching my lips and the warmth in my chest blooming. Truer words have never been spoken, and after my conversation with Holly this morning, I’m feeling . . . open.

Open-minded, open to possibilities, and maybe even open to the future.

Blake helps himself to leaning back on my desk, one foot crossed over the other. “I think I’ve been expecting you my whole life.”

“Damn,” I whisper, awestruck. “You just . . . everything.”

Blake grins, loving that he’s blown me away. “Wanna see what I brought you?”

I lift my brow flirtatiously, having a pretty good idea what he’s referring to. “I don’t think here is the best place for that,” I say slowly, not sure I care at this point. Especially considering Alver already spread that gossip far and wide. If I’m going to get judged for it, I might as well do it, right?

But Blake chuckles, playfully amused. “Dirty girl, I like where your mind is, but I meant this.” He holds up a thick file folder I hadn’t even noticed he had in his hand.

“Oh,” I say, slightly crestfallen. “What’s that?”

He lays the folder down on my desk and opens it, telling me casually, as if it’s no big deal, “Richard Horne’s complete medical history.”

“What? That was fast,” I exclaim, all but forgetting my sexy thoughts of a moment ago when presented with new information.

I open the folder and scan the cover sheet, noting the consistency of appointments, basic lab information, and doctor recommendations. Flipping the sheet, I note his latest lab results. Unfortunately, it was a basic profile, nothing that would give me heavy metal blood levels.

“Richard Horne was a very loyal medical patient,” Blake tells me, and I do glance up at that, questioning him with narrowed eyes. “Same doctor for over a decade. All I had to do was show up, hand the receptionist Horne’s waiver, and she copied it for me happily. Even got to talk to the doctor—”

“Dr. Yu?” I ask, checking the names on the form.