Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
I bite down on my cheek, my heart pounding hard as I wait for him to walk in. Why is Axel here with Bella? Is he helping out his bandmate and friend? Though I make it a point not to check out gossip or celebrity sites, I couldn’t live in this small town, especially one that empties out after summer, and not know that Axel Forrester has joined Dash Kingston’s band and moved here. I’ve just been lucky enough not to have run into him before now.
We didn’t part on bad terms all those years ago. We just both had life plans that took us in different directions. I always knew we wanted different things out of life. He desired fame and travel, while I planned to settle down in a vet practice and have a family one day. When he said goodbye, saying he hoped we might reconnect in the future, I knew better. Now we’re two very different people, and seeing him again can only be awkward.
At that moment, Harry walks out of the back area. He’s a good-looking man, older, with salt-and-pepper hair and a distinguished goatee.
He glances around the empty waiting room. “Everything okay?” he asks.
“Fine. There’s a man in the parking lot who should be in any minute,” I say.
Harry nods. “I just finished eating. Would you like me to see him?”
Bless him, I think. I’m not ready to face the now-famous Axel Forrester, former drummer for Caged Chaos and now the Original Kings, and the type of man who women throw their panties at.
“Sure,” I say at the same time my mother speaks. “You’re busy, Harry,” Marsha says, stepping over to him.
“No, I have time for a break.” His eyes crinkle in confusion at our contradictory replies.
“Good idea. Go take a break.” My mom urges him toward the back, her hands pushing at his arm.
“Mom! Cut it out.” Taking control, I decide what to do. “Thanks for handling the next patient, Harry. I’ll be in the back if you need me.”
I walk through the double doors leading to the back rooms but remain close by so I can hear everything. I can’t help but be curious.
“Marsha, are you okay?” Harry asks, concern in his voice.
“I’m fine. I just…” My mother whispers something I can’t hear.
Before I can find out what my mother is up to, the bells over the outside door ring, announcing the patient has arrived. I curl my hands into fists, my short nails digging into my skin as I wait.
“Good afternoon,” my mother says in a chirpy, happy voice. “What can we do for you?” Obviously, my mother is pretending not to recognize him.
“I was hoping Dr. Stillman could see my dog.” Axel’s voice is familiar yet not, deeper and sexier than I remember.
“Your dog?”
I peek out in time to see my mother lean over the counter to look at the animal in question. “Axel Forrester, are you bringing Bella Kingston in for Sasha and Xander?”
“Busted,” he mutters, looking adorable. Dammit. “Mrs. Stillman, it’s good to see you. You looked familiar, but I thought you lived in California, so I didn’t think it could be you.”
“What’s with the Mrs. Stillman nonsense? It’s Marsha. And my last name is Davidson now. I remarried after my husband passed away.”
Glued to my place and unable to tear my gaze away, I watch as his eyes grow wide, his expression turning sad. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
“Thank you. It was right after you left town. Anyway, what’s wrong with Bella?”
I tear my gaze from his handsome, grown-up face with more defined and chiseled features, and look around the waiting room. Harry is gone. He must have slipped out the door as Axel walked in. My mother definitely deserves an A in scheming.
Awkward or not, it’s time to grow up and face him. I draw a deep breath and step through the doors into the reception area. “What is wrong with Bella?” I ask.
“Tara.” My name on those sexy lips turns my insides to mush.
“Hello, Axel.”
We stare at each other for an uncomfortable few moments in which my mom remains shockingly quiet.
“Is Bella okay?” I break the silence first.
“She’s fine.” An unexpected red flush rises to his face. “I was scrolling through Facebook, came across your picture, and realized you were only a mile away, so I…”
“You borrowed a dog as an excuse to see me?” I don’t know whether I’m more flattered or shocked. But my traitorous heart skips a beat.
“Yeah.” He clears his throat. “Now that we’ve discussed Bella, my icebreaker, I’ll just get to the point. Would you have dinner with me?”
I blink. He’s taken me by surprise. “I can’t,” I say, the words automatically coming out of my mouth. Getting to know this man could only lead to heartbreak. I know it just by seeing him again.