49. Gertrude

49

GERTRUDE

T he supply cabinet was organized, and Gertrude made notes on her tablet about items to reorder, even though there hadn't been enough activity in the clinic lately to deplete their stock.

Besides Morelle and Jasmine's Pilates sessions, which Gertrude conducted now in the gym, her days were quieter than she would have liked, and she was bored.

She should post an ad on the clan's virtual bulletin board about taking on more students. The Reformer was an excellent piece of equipment that shouldn't sit idle, and she was getting pretty good at teaching the Pilates technique.

Gertrude glanced at her watch for the third time since she'd started on the cabinet, but there were still fifteen minutes until lunch with Rob—the highlight of her day.

She smiled. The nights were awesome, too, now that she was spending them with Rob, and not just because he was such a giver in bed. They were hanging out with his sister and her mate and sometimes with the other gods and their ladies as well.

Poor Hildegard felt a little neglected, but she'd had no problem finding solace in the arms of one of the hybrid Kra-ell. Gertrude was crossing her fingers for that to turn into something more meaningful because she had someone great while her best friend was still alone.

She sighed as she realized that she'd lost count of the bandages and had to start over.

After what felt like an eternity, her watch finally cooperated, and she closed the supply cabinet, collected her purse, and put an Out to Lunch sign on the clinic's door. If anyone needed her urgently, they would call her number, which was posted as well.

They could also just walk over to the café or wave, and she would see them.

Her heart warmed at the sight of Rob already seated at one of the tables, their usual order arranged on a tray before him. He was looking straight at her, smiling and waving his hand, and she smiled and waved back, but even from this distance, she could read the tension in his posture.

Something was wrong.

When he stood to greet her with a kiss on the cheek, she didn't waste time on pleasantries. "What's the matter?"

He chuckled as he pulled out a chair for her. "Why do you think there is something the matter?"

"Your shoulders are tense." She sat down.

He rotated his shoulder. "I overdid it this morning with the punching bag."

She lifted a brow. "Talk to me, Rob."

He let out a breath. "I have news, but it's nothing to be concerned about. Arwel and I scheduled my induction ceremony for this Saturday evening."

Gertrude's heart skipped several beats, and she pressed a hand to her chest. "This Saturday?" When he nodded, she asked, "Why so soon?"

Rob shrugged. "Arwel says that there is no point in me continuing my training in preparation for the ceremony. No matter how well I train or how good I get, he'll still have me face down on the mat in under a minute anyway, so there's no reason to delay."

She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "That's probably true, but I just wish we had more time."

"Time for what?"

"To be together." Her voice came out thicker than intended. "I don't want to lose you."

His expression softened, and he cupped her cheek with gentle fingers. "You're not going to lose me. You're going to gain forever with me, if you want that, of course." He leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Don't you want to feel the venom bite? I hear that the experience is incomparable."

Heat flooded through her at his words and the promise they held. Of course, she wanted that, and she wanted forever with him, but Rob was in his early thirties, which put him in a higher risk category for transition complications.

The thought doused her arousal like ice water.

"Bridget needs to give you a physical before the ceremony," she said firmly. "Any health issues need to be resolved before you attempt transition. I would have scheduled it earlier, but I didn't expect you to do it so soon."

He pulled back, disappointment evident in his expression that she hadn't picked up on his sexual banter. "I don't have any health issues. I had a physical less than six months ago. Everything was fine."

Gertrude waved a dismissive hand. "I know all about those so-called physicals. At your age, you are assumed healthy because statistically men your age are, so they do the bare minimum. Bridget will be much more thorough." She reached for her phone, already composing a text in her head.

His hand covered hers, stilling her movement. "What are you doing?"

"Texting Bridget."

"Don't bother her. I'm in perfect health."

She closed her eyes, drawing in a deep, stabilizing breath. "Do it for me? Please?"

His head dropped in defeat. "Fine. I'll do it for you. But just so you know, I don't appreciate being manipulated like that."

Guilt seeped through her. After everything he'd been through with Lynda, she hated using his ex's tactics, but fear made her desperate, even though logically she knew she was probably overreacting.

Rob showed no signs of illness. His color was good, there was no puffiness in his face or extremities, and he managed twice-daily intense training sessions without experiencing excessive fatigue.

She was letting her fears run wild.

"I promise never to coerce you into doing anything again," she said softly. "But I had to do this. I'm having an anxiety attack just thinking about you in that ring with Arwel and... and not waking up from his bite."

The hardness in his eyes melted away. "Has that ever happened?"

She shook her head. "It hasn't, but we've had so few adult male Dormants transition. The sample size is too small to draw any real conclusions. Anything could happen."

He squeezed her hand. "Have a little faith. The Fates brought me here for a reason, and it wasn't to die on the sparring mat."

His confidence should have been reassuring, but Gertrude knew better than to rely on statistics or the Fates. Both meant very little when someone you loved was at risk.

Love.

The word echoed in her mind, and she realized she hadn't told him yet. She'd been waiting for the right moment, but maybe there was no perfect time. Maybe she should tell him now, before the ceremony, before everything changed.

But the words stuck in her throat. What if saying it now would feel like goodbye? What if he thought she was only saying it because she was afraid?

"Hey." His voice drew her from her spiraling thoughts. "Where did you go just now?"

"Thinking about Saturday." It wasn't entirely a lie. "I just hope that Bridget can make time for you. Julian is also a good physician, but I prefer her because I have worked with her for a long time, and I know that she doesn't miss anything."

Gertrude pulled out her phone and texted Bridget.

The reply came back a couple of minutes later. Five-thirty today .

She showed Rob the screen, and when he nodded, she typed back a thank you, then lifted her head and smiled. "That means no afternoon training session for you."

He shrugged. "Apparently, I have no need for it." He reached for her hand. "And it means more time with you."