The Doctor Who Has No Ambition (Soulless Book 9) - Victoria Quinn Page 0,34

but it’s not going to happen.”

A week later, I went back to work.

And everything I dreaded came to pass.

Clients stopped me in the hallway and praised me for what I’d done, and then they asked me why I wasn’t a doctor anymore. I just deflected the questions as politely as possible and continued on my way.

Everything would die down eventually.

Life would go back to what it used to be.

I would just be Dex, the computer guy.

Mom didn’t echo Dad’s words at me, and she acted like nothing happened. She was definitely the good cop, and he was the bad cop. Maybe she just understood complicated emotions better than he did, but she knew when it was time to back off and give me space.

She was a good mom like that.

I sat at the desk and scrolled through my device when Sicily approached the office. She pushed the cart in front of her, which was now empty with the exception of the utilitarian vases that were used to keep the flowers wet before they were switched out. Her heels tapped against the hard floor as she wheeled it into the storage room. I hadn’t seen her much over the last few days, and unlike everyone else, she didn’t ask me a million questions about the whole thing.

She took a seat at the desk beside me. “What are you working on?”

“Making my schedule for tomorrow.” I scrolled through my tasks before I turned to look at her. “What about you?”

“Psh. I’m done for the day.” She crossed her legs and slipped off one of her heels to rub the bottom of her foot. “Serious question, how does everyone rock heels here all day long? I feel like I’m dying by the end of the day.”

“Well, I don’t rock heels.”

“Lucky bastard.” She clenched her toes a couple times before she slipped her heel back on.

“Yes. Another perk of being a man.”

“Like you don’t have enough as it is.” She turned back to her computer and moved the mouse so the screen would light up. She’d been in the condo when I walked inside, on her knees, covered her in blood, and putting pressure on his wound as she waited for help to arrive. Mrs. Carlton was too busy going into shock to spring into action, but Sicily didn’t hesitate. That was commendable.

I heard footsteps, so I turned to see Mr. Carlton and his wife approaching. “Oh no,” I sighed to myself, knowing what was going to happen before it even happened. They carried gift baskets in their hands, and Mrs. Carlton was already in tears when they approached the desk.

I stood up and took the initiative. “You’re looking good, Mr. Carlton. I’m sure the wife will dig the scar.” I gave him a wink.

He didn’t respond to my lightheartedness in kind. He set the basket on the desk, which held an assortment of cheeses, cookies, and wine. “I know there’s never anything I can do to show my gratitude for what you’ve done, but thank you.” He looked me in the eye, the emotion obvious in his gaze. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.”

I wished I had something to say to that, but I really didn’t. It was hard to accept his gratitude, to accept his gift, when I didn’t feel like I deserved it. “I’m very happy you’re doing well, Mr. Carlton.”

He extended his hand. “Call me Adam.”

I took it and gave a slight smile. “That’s gonna be hard to remember. I’m so used to calling you Mr. Carlton.”

“That’s what my friends call me. And you’re my friend.”

I went back to silence, unsure what to say.

Mrs. Carlton moved into me and hugged me. “Thank you so much.”

I hugged her back, giving her a gentle rub on the back. “You don’t need to thank me.”

She pulled away and looked at me with tear-stained cheeks. “I’m a person who believes everything happens for a reason, that there are no coincidences. I believe you were meant to be here, Dex. You were meant to save my husband’s life. God bless you.”

Now I was speechless.

The two of them stepped over to Sicily next, who was visibly moved by the scene unfolding in front of her. “We have a basket for you too.” Mr. Carlton set it on her desk. “Thank you for everything.”

Just like me, she didn’t know what to say. “I’m so happy everything worked out. And I agree with you, Mrs. Carlton. I don’t believe in coincidences either.” She rose from