CH 35 - #tempted
Riley
“ARE YOU FEELING better?” Jacinda asked me.
“Much. Did I miss anything at the office over the past two days?”
“Nothing staff-wise, but I think you should know Chad is coming in today.”
“For what?”
“One of his upper molars is causing him some pain. Dr. Robinson is going to check it out.”
I blew out a heavy breath. “I figured Chad would start going to another dentist. What time is his appointment?”
“At eleven.”
“And I’ll be here with a patient.”
“I’ll see to it that Chad is taken to the room farthest from yours.”
“Thank you.”
“Have you heard anything from him since the incident at Razzoo’s?”
I shook my head. “He knows I’m fully off-limits now. There’s no chance of us getting back together.”
“I temped to be a snippy bitch to him when he comes in.”
“Don’t do that. He’s not an awful human being. He just has some deep soul work that he needs to do.”
“Okay,” Jacinda mumbled.
“Changing the subject… Has your first love made any new Instagram posts?”
“Funny you should ask.”
“So he has?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“You’re never going to believe this.”
“Try me.”
“He’s flying home this weekend to see his parents. I saw their comments on Phil’s recent picture-post of him playing golf.”
I studied Jacinda’s eyes. “If you’re going to be tempted to do anything, let it be messaging Phil. Tell him that you saw that he’s coming to Fort Worth, and if he has time, you’d like to meet him for a drink and catch up on old times. He’ll tell you if his wife is with him on the trip.”
“Don’t you think that’s stepping over the line?”
“I think it’s the only way that you’re going to find out the true state of his marriage, as well as how he feels about you.”
“As much as I’ve dreamed of having a second chance with him, I won’t be a homewrecker.”
“I’m not saying that. It could be that Phil’s home is already wrecked, and he’s living in it with his wife, going through the miserable motions that so many couples do. Reach out to him as a friend and see what he says.”
“Riley, I don’t know.”
“Think about it.”
“Jesus, it’s all I’m going to be thinking about now.”
“You’re welcome.”
Jacinda shook her finger at me, but she was grinning. I winked at her and then walked off to prepare for my first patient of the day and mentally prepare myself for the possibility of seeing Chad.
I was walking my patient to the front of the dental office to check out when I passed by the examining room where Jacinda was supposed to have Chad taken. The door was open, and no one was in the room. Chad had already come and gone.
“I’ll see you in six months, Mrs. Phillips. You take care,” I said, patting her on the arm. I especially loved my elderly patients.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
On my way back down the hallway, my stomach growled. I needed to grab lunch, but I wasn’t sure where.
I’d just reached the parking lot when I looked up and saw Chad approaching me. I stopped walking, and then he did, holding up his hands in a surrender gesture. After staring at him for several seconds, I continued heading toward my car.
“Riley, please give me just a minute of your time,” Chad said from behind me.
I stopped walking again, turned around, and looked at him. “What do you want?”
He slowly approached me, coming to a standstill a couple of yards away. “To say hello and see how you’re doing.”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s good. I need a root canal.”
“Sorry about that.”
His dark brown eyes searched mine. “I have some more news to tell you. I’m seeing a therapist about my anger issue, among other things.”
I was surprised. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Since when?”
“Since last Wednesday. I’ve had two sessions with her so far.”
“A woman therapist. I can’t believe you chose that route.”
“I figured hearing the hard truth about myself from a woman was what I needed.”
“I told you the hard truth more than once.”
“I know you did. I should’ve listened the first time.”
“Well, I’m proud of you for setting aside your ego and getting the help you need.”
“Thanks.”
“I need to go, Chad. I have an hour for lunch.”
“Okay. Bye, Riley.”
I gave him a little wave, and he returned to the dental office. He must have forgotten something. Jacinda would tell me later what it was.
“Did you have a good day?” Rhys asked me.
“It was fine.”
“You sound a little off.”
“I’m just really tired. Still getting over my IUD dilemma.”
“Has your bleeding let up at all?”
“Yes, finally.”
“You might want to take some iron pills. It’ll help your energy level.”
“I have some in my bathroom cabinet.”
“Just don’t take them on an empty stomach because they could nauseate you.”
“I certainly don’t want to go through any more of that.”
“Riley, are you okay? Your voice isn’t right.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head. Rhys knew me so well, but I didn’t want to tell him what was bothering me. It would only upset him knowing Chad and I crossed paths today.
“I think I just need to take a shower and then get in bed with a glass of wine and watch a movie.”
“That sounds like a great plan. I wish I were there with you.”
“So do I.”
“I’ll let you go for now. Call me before you go to sleep.”
“I will.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”