Chapter 28
What had triggered his phobia?What had happened to him? Phobias could paralyze a person to where they couldn’t function properly. The human mind was such an interesting mystery.
It must have taken a lot of courage for him to be vulnerable in front of me. When I got home tonight, I’d replay the kiss and his body’s reaction to me. If I thought about it now, I wouldn’t be able to do my job well.
No one had wanted me this much. Part of me relished in it. But the cautious side had me staying a few steps back, not fully giving in. What if all this was just some game that men liked to play?
Stop thinking. Focus on your patient.
His slow breathing told me he was trying his best to concentrate on that instead of the noisy equipment. If I had innovative equipment, it would help people recover from this phobia faster. With all the technology available today, why hadn’t they invented something beneficial to the dental industry?
I had a few ideas for better equipment, but I had no clue where to get started. Plus, I didn’t have the funds to work on something like that. For example, a silencer for my handpiece would be awesome. No more loud noises. Kids would love it.
Sound was very important to a person’s mental state. People listened to certain music to relax or get into a certain mood. A loud drill was as far away from relaxation as one could get. On bad days, I found the sound of the handpiece irritating as hell.
If the weapons industry could invent a silencer for a gun, why couldn’t they create one for a handpiece? It would be so easy for them.
Not enough money in dentistry.
Well, not general dentistry, but certainly cosmetic dentistry. The beauty business made loads of money, but I had no interest in servicing that community.
He flinched when water sprayed on his cheek. “Sorry.” I wiped it with his napkin. “You’re doing great, by the way.”
He nodded, and I knew he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
He had fabulous hygiene and beautiful teeth for someone who hadn’t been to the dentist in a year. The fear probably motivated him to take extra care of his teeth.
When we were done with the cleaning, I performed a quick x-ray. After reviewing it, I said, “You’re all set. No cavities. Keep up the good work.” I gave him a bag with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
“Thank you.” He took the bag and peeked inside. “No toy?”
I smiled. “We need to save those for the little kids. And you’re welcome.”
A serious expression splashed onto his face. “I’ve never had such a comfortable dental experience. Be my dentist from now on.”
I arched an eyebrow at his demand. A man accustomed to shouting orders didn’t usually ask for anything. But I wasn’t the type to comply with orders either.
“Is that a request or a command?”
He smiled. “It’s a plea.”
“I’ll think about it. I made an exception for today’s visit. Consider this as repayment for you taking care of me while I was drunk.”
“I’ll pay you extra to be my dentist.”
“It’s not about the money, Arrow. If I become your dentist, then other adults would also ask me. I would have to decline, which would make them angry, and so on. I don’t have time to deal with that.”
“I could come in after hours,” he said, trying to look adorable.
I laughed. “Are you planning on having a lot of cavities or something? Right now, you’re good until the next cleaning, which would be in six months.”
“See? You can be my dentist twice a year. That’s not bad at all.”
An idea percolated in my mind. I let it simmer while I considered his request.
“If I agree to be your dentist, can you help me with something? You know more people than I do.”
“How can I help?”
I told him about my silencer idea, and he beamed. “That’s brilliant.”
His excitement and praise did something to my heart. I hadn’t shared this idea with anyone until today. It felt wonderful to have someone understand where I was coming from.
“You have the specs?” he asked.
“Just a rough sketch, but that’s it. I don’t know where to go to have it produced or have the funds to?—”
“I’ll invest in it. One hundred percent. We’ll find a company to create the prototype.” His eyes held mine. “It’s a fantastic idea, Vivian. I want to help you make it happen. Hell, if they had that invention back then, it would’ve helped me.”
I gawked at him. I hadn’t meant for him to offer the capital for it. From chatting with the girls, I knew he was a former Navy SEAL. So I had hoped he could tell me what company made weapons or would be interested in my idea. I wouldn’t mind selling it to them for a percentage of the profit. But it appeared like he already had a business proposal in his head.
I tapped his forehead. “You already have a strategy in place, don’t you?”
“Always. Especially with something I’m passionate about.”
Curiosity nudged me. “Did you have a strategy with me?”
Something gleamed in his eyes, but he only gave a little truth. “You have no idea.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be wary of his plan for me or be excited that he thought that much about me.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I reached for it.
Calvin: Got news on Aimee. Meet me here tomorrow. GO ALONE.
Then he sent me an address to a restaurant I hadn’t been to.
“Who’s that?” Arrow asked.
“Calvin.”
“What does he want?” The softness in his eyes turned edgy.
“Nothing important.”
“He has news for you?”
I nodded but didn’t elaborate. I had to go alone. For whatever reason, Calvin didn’t want Arrow there.
“That’s good.” Arrow inhaled a breath. “Let me know what happens after.” I needed to follow up with the PI to see if he’d found anything on Aimee.
A knock sounded on the door, and my assistant, Dakota, peeked in. “Your next patient is ready.”
“We’re all set. Can you please schedule him for his next cleaning with me?”
“Sure thing. Come this way,” said Dakota. “You’re her first adult patient.”
“I’m her biggest baby,” he told her, and she laughed.
I smiled and wondered if my relationship with him was developing faster than I had anticipated.
What if the swift speed prevented me from seeing all the obstacles along the side?