Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
Casey’s footsteps echoed in the near-empty parking garage, each one a little faster than the last. She had spent the morning in surgeries, which helped avoid any run-ins with Michael.
During one of her rounds in the afternoon, she nearly had run into him, but she managed to dodge his eyes at the last minute by ducking into a storage closet.
She had finally told Tracy about Michael.
And, well, Tracy no longer saw the hotness in him.
She said she would help to throw up roadblocks between Casey and him when she could.
But she warned Casey that she wasn’t going to be able to hide from him forever.
She was going to have to face him eventually.
As much as she didn’t want to, maybe she should just rip the band aid off and confront him first and show him that she wasn’t affected by his presence.
That is going to take one hell of a good acting job, she thought to herself.
God, she needed to talk to Max and get his thoughts about it.
The dim parking lot lights flickered, casting long shadows on the concrete walls of the parking garage. She clutched her bag tighter, her heart beating faster with every step. There was a prickling sensation at the back of her neck, the unmistakable feeling that someone was watching her.
Her car was only a few yards away, but it felt like miles. She quickened her pace, her heels clicking sharply against the ground. As she reached for the door handle, a voice came from behind her, low and too familiar.
“Casey.”
She froze, her hand hovering just inches from the car’s door handle.
Slowly, she turned around, and her breath caught in her throat.
Standing a few feet away was a man she hadn’t seen in over twenty-three years—Michael Knox.
Her childhood best friend, turned stranger, and now a doctor at the same hospital where she worked.
He was tall, well-built, and undeniably handsome, but something in his eyes sent a chill down her spine. They were darker and harder than she remembered.
“Michael,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. “What…what are you doing here?”
He took a step closer, his hands casually in his pockets. “I saw you leaving and thought I’d say hello. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
Casey nodded, her pulse racing. “Yeah, it has.”
He looked her up and down, his gaze lingering a little too long. “You look incredible. More beautiful than I remember.”
“Thanks,” Casey replied, forcing a smile. She wanted to back away, to put more distance between them, but her legs felt like they were made of lead. “You, uh, look good too.”
Michael chuckled, but not in a pleasant way. “I’ve been wondering how you’ve been all these years. I didn’t think we’d cross paths again, but here we are.”
“Do you work here?” she asked, playing dumb.
“Today was my first day. I almost couldn’t believe it when I saw you walking down the hall earlier. I wanted to say hi, but you disappeared.”
Shit! So, he did see me. Did he know I was avoiding him on purpose?
“Today was hectic for me. I was all over the place. I’m sorry if I didn’t see you.”
“How have you been?” he asked.
“I’ve been fine,” she said, her voice wavering. She didn’t want to tell him anything more. She didn’t want to give him any piece of her life. Something about the way he was looking at her made her want to run. “It’s crazy that we ended up at the same hospital.”
“Fate, maybe,” he said, taking another step forward. “Don’t you think?”
Casey swallowed hard, her hand inching toward the car door handle again. “Yeah, maybe.”
He was too close now. He was close enough that she could smell his cologne—a sharp, spicy scent that made her feel dizzy. It was the same one that his dad wore. She needed to get out of there so she wouldn’t throw up.
“I’m actually late,” she blurted out, her voice shaking slightly. “I’m meeting my boyfriend and his friends for dinner.”
For a moment, Michael’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. The change was subtle, but Casey saw it, and it made her stomach twist. “Boyfriend?” he repeated, the word rolling off his tongue with a hint of disdain.
“Yes,” she said quickly, nodding. “It’s pretty serious.
He’s a former Navy SEAL working for a local firm now.
” She never disclosed to anyone without Max’s permission about his military career.
But she didn’t think he would mind in this case.
She was hopeful that hearing that would persuade Michael to stay away.
His smile returned, but it was tight, seeming forced. “Well, I’m happy for you, Casey. Really, I am.”
“Thank you,” she replied, her hand finally finding the door handle. “I should go. It was nice seeing you again.”
Michael didn’t move as she opened the car door, his eyes fixed on her the entire time. “We’ll see each other around, I’m sure,” he said, his voice smooth but with an undercurrent of something she couldn’t quite place.
Casey nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She slid into the driver’s seat, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the keys. As she glanced up, she saw that Michael’s expression had changed again. His smile was gone, replaced by a cold, almost angry look that made her want to cower.
She finally started the car and backed out of the parking space, her eyes glancing to the rearview mirror. Michael stood there, watching her, his hands still in his pockets, his face now unreadable.
As she drove away, Casey tried to shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her chest. Michael Knox might have been her friend at one time, but the man she had just seen was a stranger—one she had no intention of getting to know again.