Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Sydney

"Amanda I'm telling you it was an accident. I never meant to hurt him. I didn't even know he was there," I said for the third time.

She took another sip of her coffee and said, "I am not saying you're lying. It's just I see the look in your eyes when you tell the story. You don't seem...distraught like I would expect you to be. What aren't you telling me?"

"Did I mention the rats?" She nodded. "How about Mike having twins early?" I nodded a second time. "The nails in the wood?"

"Yes. All the boring stuff. None of that would explain the dreamy look you have. So, tell me about something personal about him," Amanda demanded.

"Can't you just eat your waffle and forget that I ever mentioned it?" I knew that was impossible. I would be doing the same thing to her.

"Maybe if you tell me about him, I will be bored and change the subject. So, what does he do for a living?" she asked.

"Don't know. He never said. I assume he works in an office somewhere." More than likely, he was the CEO.

"What do you know?" she asked.

That he is a hunk. Just pure sexy. " He's attractive."

"Even covered in all that blood?" she teased.

"Very funny."

"I know. So when you say attractive, do you mean jaw-dropping, get-you-wet type of attractive or your average guy?" she prodded.

Definitely the first. "He's handsome but I wasn't paying attention to every detail of his appearance. I was concerned about his injury."

"Makes sense. So why don't you give me his name, and I will Google him," she suggested.

"I can't do that. Patient, doctor privileges."

She laughed. "You're a vet. I don't think that rule applies. And besides, did you see him in your office?"

"No, but..."

"Did you bill him?" She cut in.

"Of course not. I'm lucky he isn't suing me," I reminded her.

"Don't see that happening. Okay, one last question. Do you like him?" she asked.

"Like him? I don't even know him. And besides, he lives in one of those places where the ‘more money than God' lives. You know I don't date men like that anymore."

"One bad experience doesn't mean they are all self-centered," she stated.

"It wasn't just one if you recall. And I know what I like, and that's not it. If you want, you can date him," I blurted out but didn't mean it.

"Fine. What's his name," she asked.

"Amanda, you are making me regret not canceling out on you today," I warned.

"You wouldn't do that. We meet every Sunday for breakfast. If you blew me off, I'd only show up at your house to find out why."

That was true.

The waitress came over and refilled our coffees. I hoped that was enough of a distraction for me to change the subject. Wrong again.

Amanda said, "Maybe we should go to his house and check on him. What if he is really sick or passed out on the floor and needs medical attention?"

"He looked fine when I left," I said. Then again, my eyes were half closed and I was surprised that I even made it home myself.

"Maybe you should check again. I mean, you are his doctor." She chuckled even as she said it.

"I guess a text message wouldn't hurt."

Pulling out my cell phone, I typed, HI, JUST CHECKING ON YOU. HOW ARE YOU FEELING? DO YOU NEED ANYTHING? I CAN brING IT OVER TO YOU IF YOU WISH. I read it back before hitting send, and I hated it. It was very...pushy. Boy, guess you called that right, Cameron. I deleted it and tried again. HOW'S YOUR HEAD? That was enough. I hit send.

He replied right away. STILL ATTACHED.

I snickered. Amanda asked, "What did he say?"

"That it is still attached."

"Humor. You like that in a guy. Okay, so far, we have, handsome and funny. Not bad." She looked over at my phone and her eyes widened. "Giampietro? That's his last name?"

"That is what he said."

She shook her head. "You know that is a fake name, right? I mean everyone says Giampietro or Jones when they don't want anyone to know their real name."

"Why would he lie?" I asked.

"Oh, let's see. He's married?"

"Have you forgotten that he brought me to his apartment? There was no wife or children there," I stated.

"And did you go into his bedroom?" she questioned.

"Absolutely not."

"Then you aren't sure, are you? I mean, if his bedspread was pink ruffles you would know," she huffed. "It's like you never dated before."

"This wasn't a date. I was there to ensure he wasn't seriously injured," I said firmly. "You're just trying to make it something that it is not."

"One could hope. I mean for the past year all you have done is work, work and oh, more work. The only ones getting action are the dogs in heat," she laughed.

"You are not funny. I can't help it if I am busy. So many veterinarians are running short staffed too. We have no choice but to work harder than ever before."

"And the fact that you will still take an emergency visit after hours and let the person pay what they can afford when they have no money, is why you are short-staffed. You need to raise your prices like everyone else has," Amanda said.

"Why? Just so I can be rich and know that there are animals out there that might die because I decided to fill my pockets instead of following my heart?" I asked.

"Well, when you say it like that, I sound like a cold bitch," Amanda sighed.

"No. You are the practical one. I need you to remind me that I need to take care of myself too, and not just everyone else. I couldn't believe how exhausted I was yesterday. I fell asleep on his couch. That is not like me at all," I admitted.

"No, it's not. Why didn't you tell me that before?" she asked.

"Because I know you would worry."

"And rightly so. Sydney, you must slow down. You need a vacation. Or maybe just cut your hours a little. If not, you're the one who is going to need a doctor," she warned. "I believe you told me that stress is the number one killer for women. Maybe you need to heed your own advice and relax."

"Agreed."

"So, since we know Davin Giampietro is not his real name, should I try to find out what it is?" she offered.

"No. I don't want to think about him any longer." If she was right and he lied about his name, then I was glad I kept my text professional.

It was too bad because he really seemed nice. Thoughtful.

"How about you and I do something fun today," Amanda said.

Like go home and sleep for the next twelve hours?

" What do you have in mind? And don't say shopping. The last thing I want to do is follow you from one store to the next."

"I was thinking more like going to the beach. When was the last time you put on a bathing suit and soaked up the rays?" she asked.

"It was with you, so probably a year ago," I said.

"Make that two years ago when we went to Aruba. That's it. We are going to the beach. I'll even pack lunch. You just go home and change. I will pick you up at nine. How does that sound?"

Had it really been two years since I'd taken a vacation? No wonder why I'm feeling burned out . I nodded. "The beach sounds good. I'll be ready."

Amanda got up and said, "You finish your breakfast and I'll see you at nine." She left me sitting there alone.

My phone buzzed again, and I looked down at it. It was Cameron. I wanted to ignore it, but I couldn't. Tapping the screen, the message appeared.

It was a GIF of Homer Simpson I think, with duct tape holding his head on. Was this supposed to be a joke or was he trying to tell me he's not doing well? I started to text but canceled it and called him instead.

When he answered, I could hear a lot of noise in the background. "Hi. I got your message. Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Did you get my picture?"

"That's why I am calling. So, how is your head? Are you in a lot of pain?" I questioned.

"No. I'm actually out right now and feeling fine, thanks to your doctoring yesterday," he said.

"Not that I did much. Just cleaned it. But you really shouldn't do too much today. Take the day off and relax. Go to the beach or something. But if you do, wear a hat to protect your cut," I said.

"I wish I had time for the beach. I love swimming, but I am in a time crunch right now. Maybe next week I'll go. Do you like the ocean?"

"Yes. I'm about to go with my friend shortly," I said.

"And you called to invite me. I wish I could say yes, but honestly, I can't this week. How about next Sunday?" he asked.

"Are you asking me out?"

He laughed. "I thought you had asked me, but sure. I'm asking you out."

Amanda's words rushed back to me. Giampietro and Jones. Is he lying to me? It doesn't feel like that, but wherever he was right now sure was loud. I wasn't ready to accept his invite.

"Can I get back to you later? I just don't know what my schedule is at the moment," I stated.

"Sure. You know how to find me. Enjoy the beach, Sydney."

"Thank you. Don't work too hard," I said before ending the call.

Immediately, I regretted not saying yes. No way was I going to tell Amanda this because that is all we would end up talking about for the rest of the day.

Mr. Giampietro or whoever you are, I'm not thinking about you anymore today.

I knew that was going to be easier said than done. But I was going to give it a shot.