The Awakening Aidan - By Abby Niles Page 0,28
to take her practice in a different direction. Then boom. Humans had no need for her counsel. Shifters were still coming out of the woodwork for therapy. And Aidan O’Connell was working her last nerve.
Why?
Because she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the man since Monday.
Whatever his plan was—it was working. His absence caused him to be in her thoughts more than when he’d been constantly around, which was saying a lot.
Even then, she’d always been thinking of him.
Instead, he’d done a Houdini act and disappeared, which had left her jumpy and moody, expecting to find him suddenly just there. The Drall should be pushing him to seek her out, but he’d surprised her by fighting an instinct that most shifters immediately caved to.
How?
She didn’t get it.
If things had gone as she’d expected, Aidan would’ve chased after her when she’d left his house. A few more nasty words would’ve been exchanged before she’d escaped. But no, she’d made it to her car, cranked it, and driven away without one sign of him following her.
Shock number one.
Then she’d expected him to pop up here to start the second round of denying Aidan. Never showed.
Shock number two.
And the surprises kept mounting. No calls. No unexpected visits. No flowers or chocolates. Not a damn peep. In three days.
Apparently, she’d gotten through to him. Why, then, wasn’t she more relieved?
What was even scarier was she actually missed the ass.
Somewhat.
She didn’t miss having to continuously remind him they had no future, which in turn left her emotionally exhausted. Mostly because she needed to remind herself as much as him.
However, she did miss his smile, his voice…and that little flutter in her stomach every time he looked at her. Which meant Aidan O’Connell had gotten under her skin, and she didn’t like it.
She shouldn’t be wishing he’d call, or pop up unexpected, or wishing…
Yeah, she could admit it.
Wishing he was human.
The intercom buzzed, and Jaylin sighed. “Yes?”
“There’s a lady here wishing to speak with you,” Pam’s voice flowed through the speaker.
Jaylin frowned. She didn’t like surprise visits, but it wasn’t as if she was booked to the gills with appointments anymore. She lifted the receiver. “In regards to?”
“She won’t say. Just keeps repeating it’s an urgent matter.”
Maybe this would result in a new client. “Send her in.”
A few seconds later, an older woman walked in and closed the door behind her. A unique woodsy scent teased her nose and Jaylin tensed.
This was all she needed—another damn half shifter.
As the lady walked across the room, Jaylin studied her. She could’ve passed for a Shirley MacLaine lookalike. She wore designer cream slacks and an expensive blue silk shirt that set off the copper highlights in her blondish-red hair. Diamond earrings sparkled from her earlobes. And Jaylin couldn’t help but appreciate the matching diamond necklace and bracelet.
This woman had money. Lots of it.
Too bad she’d have to send her away.
“Dr. Avgar.” The woman settled her startling blue eyes on Jaylin. The friendly smile on her lips melted away the regal air she had about her, and made her suddenly seem like she was someone’s grandma. “Thank you for seeing me with no notice.”
“It was no problem at all.” Standing, Jaylin offered her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs….?”
“Biggerstaff.” After shaking her hand, the woman sat in the chair across from Jaylin’s desk.
“How can I help you, Mrs. Biggerstaff?” Jaylin asked, sitting as well.
“I need you to accompany me to Cancun to help my son.”
Jaylin blinked. There was no way she’d heard her correctly. “You want me to go where?”
“Cancun, Dr. Avgar.”
Yeah, that was exactly what she’d said the first time. It didn’t sound any more believable the second time around.
Leaning forward, Jaylin threaded her fingers together on top of her desk. “I’m sorry. I have a practice to run. I can’t leave my clients.” What clients? “Besides,” she continued. “I no longer work with shifters.”
“I know, but you came highly recommended. I flew all the way from Cancun just to speak with you.”
“I’m sorry about that, but you should’ve called and we would’ve saved you the trip.” Jaylin pushed back her chair and rose. “I do appreciate your time.”
The woman slammed a manila folder on the desk. “I will not be dismissed.”
Wow, the sweet smiling woman was gone. Mother bear was out in full force. Jaylin put on her practiced patient smile. “I understand your frustration, Mrs. Biggerstaff. But I stopped taking anyone from the shifter community as clients months ago.”
Her anger magically morphed into tears, which magnified