Never Give Up - Heidi Lis Page 0,20

that would be beyond embarrassing. He likes to joke with us girls and always tries to stay current with what’s going on in our busy lives. I, however, draw the line at my love life.

Sitting at my desk, I’m trying to catch up on some insurance checks when the office phone rings.

“Noelridge Dental, may I help you?” As I answer the phone, I can see someone from the corner of my eye standing at my desk, ready to check in. Looking up to acknowledge whoever it may be, my eyes about drop out of their sockets. A face that’s all too familiar, and it takes me back… a few years at least.

The lady on the end of the phones has asked to schedule an appointment, but I’m finding it difficult to concentrate on her at all. My attention is all too focused on the guy staring back at me with his mouth open wide in astonishment.

In a complete fog, I somehow find a date for my patient. “Mrs. Eckley, we can see you at noon on Thursday. Wonderful, see you then.” I’m struggling to finish my conversation, my eyes never leaving the gentleman standing at my desk.

I find it hard to breathe. Scanning the appointment book, I try to locate his name. How is it possible I missed his name?

His sudden throat clearing tells me he’s just as shocked.

“I can’t believe it’s you, Elsa. Wow, you look amazing, by the way.” He says rapidly speaking. I think we are both in shock.

The first thing I notice is how deep his voice has gotten. He has grown into his own man. Matt was a looker before, but now he is stunning. His resemblance to Micah is remarkable, and I can’t help staring…speechless.

With his raised eyebrow, it’s easy to read his curious expression. “Elsa, are you okay?”

Staring. Pausing. Shocked.

Finally able to speak, my voice is shaky at best. “Wow, I can’t believe you’re here. It’s been years, how are you, Matt?” When I get to his name, it comes out barely a whisper, like he’s unfamiliar somehow.

Of all the things to happen today, this is not one I would have believed. Matt Taylor is standing right in front of me. Standing taller than ever, he looks even better today than he did five years ago. I’m still stunned… and shocked.

Glancing at the schedule, I mumble. “Do you have an appointment?” I correct myself almost instantly. “Of course you do,” I’m embarrassed with my lack of professionalism.

“Hey,” he looks at me with his head tilted, and eyes furrowed tightly. “Have you seen Micah since he’s been back?”

My heart plummets when he speaks his brother’s name. I’m sure my eyes are a dead giveaway, they are wide as saucers before I shut them so tight it’s painful. For the love of all that is holy, what the hell? I’m not prepared for this moment. I’ve always been bothered with what could happen if I ever ran into Matt or his parents. Luckily, until today I had not. This is just not my day!

Swallowing my nerves, I can’t let him know how long I’ve struggled when it came to his brother. “Um…wow, no. I had no idea he was back from where ever he went. No one told me a thing.” Hell, no one said shit when I was left to pick up the pieces of my life after Micah left.

Matt tilts his head back like I’ve offended him. “Your parents mentioned nothing to you?” He eyes me with an odd expression.

The way he is looking at me like I’m missing something is most unnerving. I’m not only confused, I’m baffled. “My parents, no. Why would my parents know anything?” I look at him inwardly saying ‘duh,’ the only thing they wanted to do was kill Micah for leaving their daughter in a mess. Our parents, never talked. We all lived close, but that was it. No communication, ever.

Matt’s frantically running his hand across his forehead. “Well, I told your parents shortly after Micah left. He wanted to make sure I let you know where he was. You weren’t home, they said you left for your aunt’s house for a while. After that, I never saw you again. Weird.” His body language takes on a more relaxed position, laying his arms on the counter. “The way he left was a mess, he really wanted to talk to you. He just felt it was better to leave it alone. The more time that went on, he