Chapter 10 #2
“Hello, there.” I place my bag on the counter and avoid direct eye contact. “I’m after something a little unusual today.”
“I’m sure I can help with whatever it is.”
I clear my throat and feel the heat brightening my cheeks. “I need nicotine patches.”
Her voice lilts with surprise. “Oh.”
“It’s for a friend,” I say, instantly regretting it. “Ah, I mean patient. I just think of him as a friend. I’m a volunteer at St. Mark’s.”
The pharmacist’s face lifts with recognition. “Oh my goodness. You’re Vanessa Ashworth.”
I smile hesitantly. “Guilty as charged.”
“Well, I think it’s wonderful what you’re doing. Are you planning a fundraiser?”
“Yes, of course. But right now, I’m just volunteering my time.”
“Excellent.” The pharmacist, Penny, her name tag reads, gestures to the boxes of nicotine patches. “And you’re getting these for a patient there?”
“Yes, he’s an older gentleman named Mr. Raymond,” I lie with a sweet smile. “He’s such a kind man and wants to get his health back on track. I had no idea how expensive these things were. If it’s one small thing I can do to help him, I’m glad to do it.”
“That’s so gracious of you, Vanessa,” Penny replies. “I’m sure you’re making such a difference over there.”
Oh my gosh, I feel sick. I came back to Victoria Falls to be better than a liar.
“So, what strength do you need?” Penny asks, tapping a box of patches.
“I have no idea. He’s smoked for years, and it’ll be his first time quitting.”
Penny takes a box from the shelf. “I’d suggest these ones then.”
She places the box in a small white bag, and I hand over cash. This isn’t exactly something I want on my credit card statement. I thank Penny and leave the pharmacy.
My grip on the small white bag causes my palms to sweat. I walk further into the center of Logan’s Point, nearing a mechanic's workshop. It’s the location Dax suggested we meet when I texted him earlier.
Giddy nervousness sizzles down my spine as I spy him leaning against his motorcycle.
He has on his same heavy, dirt-stained boots and thick commando-style trousers.
Under his Scorpions leather jacket is a tight-fitting gray T-shirt, which makes it easy to spy the pendant on the silver chain around his neck.
“I was surprised you wanted to see me again so soon,” Dax says, looking me up and down. “To be honest, I thought I’d never see you again.”
“Why’s that?”
Dax smirks. “I figured one night of rebellion would’ve filled your rich girl quota.”
My mood sinks. “You really think I was just using you?”
Dax’s body language eases. “No. I just still don’t understand why you want anything to do with me.” He pulls himself off the bike. “You do realize you’re too good for me, right?”
A twinge of nerves jabs me. “No, I don’t. All I’ve had is the right guys in my life, and they’ve always felt wrong.”
Dax steps closer, causing me to look up and into his eyes. “And you think the bad boy is gonna make everything right?”
I smile as butterflies turn my insides to goo. “Labels aren’t everything.”
“Oh, that I’m learning, Sassy.”
I clasp my hands in front, feeling a swirl of excitement. I lift onto the balls of my feet and lean my body toward him. Dax’s smile doesn’t wane, and he scratches the underside of his chin. As the silence brews between us, a surge of electricity pulses through me.
Dax pulls a silver flask from the inside pocket of his jacket. The sight of it makes me freeze. He unscrews the cap and chugs the contents. He smiles at me with ballooned cheeks and then turns to the side and spits green liquid.
Something sour lines the back of my throat, causing me to grimace.
He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and leans in with puckered lips.
I raise my hands and step backwards, repulsed. “Eww. What do you think you’re doing?”
Dax laughs, pulling back. “What?” He lifts the flask. “I thought I’d freshen my breath, so you wouldn’t taste cigarettes.”
I wince. “So you thought you’d spit in front of me?”
Dax blows out a breath and rolls his eyes. “Oh man, lighten up. I was trying to do something nice for you.”
I frown, suppressing the need to gag.
“Nice.” He smirks. “You look completely grossed out.”
I shrug, mumbling, “Can you blame me?”
Dax laughs. “Okay, maybe I’m not what you’d call tactful.”
“Not in the slightest. I mean, you could’ve used mouthwash before we met up. Was it that hard not to smoke right before you saw me?”
Dax shrugs, leaning against his bike and wearing that devilish grin. “What can I say? You got me nervous, Sassy.”
My mind ticks back to the note Dr. Harris wrote in Dax’s file about emotional stress being a possible cause for his condition.
“Do you often smoke because you’re nervous?” I ask sheepishly.
Dax crosses his arms and shifts his weight. “Yeah, you’re making me want to light up again.”
I place a hand on one of his folded arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off as harsh or judgmental. It’s just been a rough morning.”
Dax unfolds his arms, standing taller. “Oh, right, your dad. How’d that go down?”
I shrug. “It didn’t. He left for the office because he didn’t notice I wasn’t at home.”
Dax’s jaw drops. “Are you serious? Look at you. How could anyone not notice you were missing?”
I shrug again, exhausted. “I’m not really a priority for my dad.”
He blows out a breath. “Geez. Guess your plan to get his attention really bombed.”
I try to smile. “That’s an understatement.”
Dax motions in the direction I came from. “I thought your driver would’ve dropped you off.”
“He did. I just needed to go to the hospital first.”
“Such a goody-goody,” Dax teases.
“It was just a quick visit. Then I needed to buy something.”
His brow raises. “What were you buying in Logan’s Point?”
Queasiness ripples through me, and I tuck the bag behind me. “Never mind. It’s not important.”
“No, seriously, what did you get? There can’t be anything worth you walking this strip alone.”
I sigh and lift the small white bag. I open it and reveal the contents. “Just to prove how pushy I am, I bought you nicotine patches.”
Dax rubs his face, laughing. “Good lord, Sassy, you really want me to quit.”
“Do you hate me for doing this?”
He lowers his hand, his laughter simmering. “Hate you? No, this is the reason I want to keep seeing you. No one’s in my corner like you are.”
I pull the box out of the bag. “Do you want to try one?”
“Maybe later. Right now, I have something else in mind.”
“What’s that?”
“Any chance you’re still in the mood to shop?”
It takes me by surprise. “What do you mean?”
Dax slings an arm over my shoulders. “Well, you texted me saying you want to get back on the bike, right?”
I look up into his eyes, nodding as my heart pounds with anticipation.
Dax grins and playfully knocks on the side of my head. “Then we need to get something to protect your head. My helmet did the job last night, but, really, it’s too big for you.”
My teeth graze my bottom lip. “You want to buy me a helmet?”
He kisses my forehead. “Yep.”
I raise my purse. “Well, I’ve got enough cash to…”
He presses down on my hand so I lower the bag. “Don’t go flashing your cash around here. You shouldn’t even be carrying around a purse like that.” Dax leads me to the back of the motorcycle and opens the locker. “Stash it inside here. I got this covered.”
“You can take the money out of it,” I offer.
He shakes his head. “Keep it in here.”
I do as told, and Dax closes the locker.