Chapter 10
Ansell sighed as he got out of his car and shut the door with the large bag of food he’d brought for Sascha. He was definitely ready for a nap, but at least seeing Sascha’s face would be a sweet reprieve from his irritable state today.
Apparently, without sleep, Ansell became the cranky old man that he was. Which wasn’t helpful when he had so many chipper patients today.
Not to mention, Warren’s visit that morning continued to weigh in his mind like something significant.
He sighed again, looking at the ground as he tried to find his smile.
It had been missing most of the day, but he didn’t want to face Sascha without it.
Especially not after what happened last night.
Last thing he wanted was for her to start thinking that what happened between them was a mistake.
He’d rather her look back on it fondly. He certainly did, but that didn’t mean his feelings about how it started weren’t mixed.
He was pushing through the glass double doors when a familiar voice greeted casually. “Ansell.”
His head jerked around with disbelief as he found himself face to face with Warren. The fuck was he doing here? “Warren,” He greeted uncertainly.
Warren nodded and then continued his way out the door, that same humored grin on his face from earlier. Ansell watched with confounded disbelief as the man went to his car, hopped in, and drove off. He really wanted to smack that look off the man’s face.
It took a while for Ansell to drag himself the rest of the way into the bank and when he got to the teller desk, the only one he saw was a voluptuous blonde. Sascha was probably in the back.
He approached the bitter looking blonde and cleared his throat. She jumped a bit, before looking up at him and then her eyes bugged out of her head a moment before a seductive smile slid across her face. “Well, hello handsome,” she practically purred. “What can I do for you?”
He wanted to recoil visibly and give her the clear indication that she was not his type, but he knew it would be childish.
Besides, he was pretty sure this was Stephany and he’d heard enough from Sascha to know that the girl was nothing but trouble.
“Nothing,” he said politely, endeavoring not to make any more trouble for Sascha to deal with.
“I’m here to drop something off for Sascha. ”
Something dark crossed the young woman’s pretty face and Ansell had to force himself to hold his ground. He had no idea what was going on in this woman’s day, but he really hoped he wasn’t about to become a victim of temperament.
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can help you with?” She asked tightly.
“Um. . .” He let some of his uncertainty show on his face.
She really needed to work on her people skills.
He had no idea how she managed to garner the attention from men Sascha said she did.
It must have been her body, because her personality was seeming to be the least attractive thing on her.
“I just—” Glancing over he saw Sascha walking around the corner rubbing Janice’s back as they spoke quietly.
“Never mind. I see her.” He nodded abruptly and turned to walk up to the women coming from deeper in the bank. “Sascha. I brought your food.”
Sascha looked up in surprise, almost as though she hadn’t expected to see him.
“Oh, Ansell.” She split a nervous look between him and Janice before muttering something quietly.
When Janice waved her off, folding a tissue and dabbing at her bright red nose, Sascha nodded and left the other woman to walk behind the teller desk.
Ansell frowned, a new wave of uncertainty overtaking him.
Janice looked as though she’d been crying, her face was a bit flush and her eyes puffy.
Her nose was so bright she could have doubled as Rudolf’s backup driver.
And though he knew it shouldn’t, the fact that the woman had obviously been crying bothered him.
It made him want to hug her and rub her back.
To tell her everything would be alright.
“Well, shoot.” Sascha huffed through her nose. “If I’d known you planned to bring so much, I wouldn’t have sent Warren to get something for Janice to eat with her medicine.”
Ansell glanced over at Janice, who was standing behind the desk and rubbing awkwardly at her stomach as though it ailed her. “I brought this for you to eat throughout the day. Not for you to serve a feast to your coworkers.” He said dryly.
Sascha made a face. “Looks like everyone’s in a mood today.
” She took the bag from him. “Don’t leave.
I need to talk to you about something.” She started to turn away, but stopped and waved him off toward the little seating area.
“Sit down while you wait. I’ll only sit this on the table and we can go talk at your car. ”
He frowned as he watched her walk away, then cast a glance at the irritated blonde and Janice who continued to press and rub firmly down her stomach as though she were suffering some digestive distress.
Part of him wanted to go over and ask if she was okay, but he didn’t.
He turned and went to take the seat Sascha recommended.
It wasn’t his business what was up with Janice.
His frown deepened, but why was Warren all the way out here.
He lived farther in the city. The only real reason the man had to be on this side of town was to see Ansell.
Surely there was a closer branch of this bank to where the younger man lived and worked.
And why was Sascha sending him for food for Janice?
He hadn’t even known they knew each other.
“Ansell, come on. I’ve got fifteen minutes and this can’t wait until this afternoon.”
He looked up at Sascha and nodded. The curiosities about Warren could wait. Ansell led the way to his car and unlocked it so they could sit inside with the doors open.
“No phones.” Sascha said curtly as she climbed in and shut her door.
Taking the phone out of his pocket, Ansell put it on airplane mode and sat it on top of the roof before climbing into the car behind her and closing his door. It was warm in the car with it off but she waved him off when he went to start it. “Alright. What’s wrong?”
“I think Janice might be one of The People,” she said directly, expression serious as she looked him in the eye.
Ansell breathed a dubious laugh. “I don’t think—”
“She’s been emitting pheromones, Ansell.”
He clammed up immediately. It wasn’t so much that it was a possibility he hadn’t suspected. It was just one that he’d refused to acknowledge. He set his jaw.
“And she’s being intimate with a Were man named Warren.” She bit her bottom lip thoughtfully before admitting. “He came to bring her coffee earlier and he had to tame her after a flare up. I’m trying to get her to talk to me, but so far she just talks like an Unknown.”
Ansell pinched the bridge of his nose with frustration. “Are you sure?” This was definitely the last thing he wanted to deal with today.
“Yes, but we have a problem.” Sascha frowned nervously.
Ansell tried to unclench his jaw and take the irritation out of his voice, but didn’t do a good job of it. “What?”
“She seems to hate you, Ansell. I suggested she go to see you and she shut me down immediately.” Sascha’s voice held a deep concern for her friend.
“Then we’ll send her to the Medical Center.” At least that way he’d be rid of the woman.
The distress in Sascha’s voice and expression caused guilt to grow in his stomach. “But I don’t want to lose her. Ansell, she’s my best friend. Like a sister to me.”
Ansell groaned softly and sank down into his chair.
“Sascha, I’m sorry, but if she won’t allow me to treat her she’ll have to be sent there since I’m the only Doc in town.
I can’t not report an Unknown.” He heaved a sigh, suddenly exhausted.
“Not to mention, I’ve already started a file on her because of Warren. ”
“Well. . .” Sascha frowned with distress.
“Maybe we can work on your relationship.” She threw out the idea haphazardly and Ansell went rigid.
She didn’t seem to notice as she continued.
“Maybe if she got to know you better she’d like you more.
After all, your first meeting wasn’t the best and that’s my fault. ”
He turned to look at Sascha with disbelief. The woman was chewing her bottom lip anxiously. It was obvious her thoughts were still going, despite her speech running dry. “And how, pray tell, do you plan to accomplish that?”
Sascha shrugged. “I don’t know. . . maybe we could do a double date route thing? Her and Warren and you and me. . . Then, when she’s comfortable, start reducing the number of people.”
“Sascha, I don’t think—” the woman cut him off with wild eyes.
“Well at least I’m trying. Ansell, I don’t want to lose my friend!” She practically cried, eyes misty with the threat of tears. Then softer, almost helpless. “Please Ansell. . . Don’t make me send away my best friend. . .”
His heart clenched at the display of emotion and he felt himself cave under the weight of her desperate gaze. Heaving a defeated sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine, fine. . . who cares if I get sleep anyway,” he grumbled crankily.
Elated, the woman squealed a bit, a soft purr echoing in the car as she leaned over the center console and pressed a kiss to his cheek, melting the last of his stubborn resistance.
“Thank you, thank you.” She opened the door to get out and he followed.
“I promise you won’t regret this. I’ll take care of all the planning and make sure everything goes smoothly. ”
Snagging his phone off the car roof, they shut their doors and he walked her back inside. “You’re supposed to be relaxing.” He grouched.
Sascha waved him off, rubbing her belly unconsciously. “Oh, come off it. A little fun with friends never hurt nobody.”
Ansell didn’t respond. He could think of quite a few instances where a little fun had done more than just hurt somebody.