The Blush Factor by Deborah Bladon

Chapter Two

Matthew

I’m notone to take a trip down memory lane, but I made an exception today. Erin Stein is celebrating her birthday.

I consider myself something of a gentleman, so I didn’t ask if this birthday, in particular, was what many would consider a milestone.

I’m closing in on my thirty third birthday. Even though she doesn’t look it, I know that Erin has at least a few years on me.

It’s not that it shows on her face or anywhere else, but she tutored me in biology when I was in college. She’d already completed medical school by then, so the math adds up.

I throw Erin one last wave before I dart out of the lecture hall.

I’m due at the vet clinic I work at in an hour. I pulled the late shift today. I can’t complain. The extra time I had this morning gave me a chance to not only catch up with Erin but to spend a little one-on-two time with my identical twin nieces.

Dora and Georgie just turned seven and are about to welcome a baby brother into their world.

My twin brother, Roman, and his wife Bianca are readying themselves for kid number three.

I have no fucking idea how you go about doing that.

I’m in awe of both of them, and if one day I happen to become a member of the dad club, I’ll look to my brother for tips.

Until then, I’m meeting him half a block from here for a quick cup of coffee and a pep talk.

I’ll be the one giving the talk.

Roman is heading into court later today to argue a case that has a young widow battling it out with her late husband’s adult kids.

I know nothing about estate law other than the fact that it’s how my brother pays his bills.

“Dr. Hawthorne, is that you?”

As I’m about to grab the handle on one of the doors that lead out of NYU, a breathy feminine voice turns me on my heel. I’ve always been in a rush to get out of this place. That dates back to the days I fought through my courses here.

I had my eye on the prize at the end. The science rich curriculum and cutthroat competition to land a spot in veterinary school may be a thing of my past, but I’ll never forget that time in my life.

“It’s me,” I say to a young woman I don’t recognize.

She comes at me with outstretched arms. “You saved Navy’s life.”

Navy. Navy.

I skim through my mental patient roster, trying to put a set of paws or a beak to the name. I come up empty.

As the unfamiliar woman wraps her arms around my neck, I hover a hand over her back, not quite making contact.

I’m all for touching a beautiful woman, but only those I know. I’m standing in a college with a stranger who can’t be more than nineteen. I’m guessing that’s her age because the tight T-shirt she’s wearing has the name Bess stamped across it and a date nineteen years ago beneath it with an est. added on for good measure.

I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that’s meant as an abbreviation for ‘established.’ It’s witty in a cutesy kind of way.

She steps back, and with a rake of her hand through her blonde hair, she straightens her back. “He’s doing much better, thanks to you.”

I study her face because sometimes the pet’s owner is more memorable than the patient, but not this time.

“I know you said I should bring him back in a month, but I’ve been busy.” She shuffles from one sneaker covered foot to the other. “I can come later today if that works for you. My last class is at three.”

I’d add Navy’s check up to the clinic’s electronic appointment system myself, but I steer her in another direction.

“Give the clinic a call and see what’s available.” I pass the buck effortlessly because this way I’ll have a clue about who this woman is and what the fuck was so wrong with Navy that I needed to save his life.

“I’ll do it,” she announces as she tugs a phone out of her back pocket. “I’m surprised to see you here. Please tell me you’re going to be teaching here this semester. We could all use a professor like you.”

As curious as I am about what the hell that means, I skate past it. “I’m still working at Premier Pet Care full-time. The only things I’m teaching are how to brush a dog’s teeth and the best way to administer medication.”

She laughs at that in an exaggerated way. “You’re such a card.”

“I’ll see you later, Bess,” I say, testing the waters, hoping like hell that’s her name and not some brand name that’s been around for almost two decades that I’ve never heard of.

I can tell I hit the mark before she says a word. Her face lights up, sending her green eyes to rake me over. “I knew you remembered me. I’m what many boys call unforgettable, if you know what I mean.”

Since I’m a full-grown man and not a boy, I take a step back.

“I have to run.” I grip the door handle tightly before I give it a firm pull.

“I’ll make that appointment now.” She waves her phone in the air. “I’ll see you in a few hours, Matthew.”

I walk away, making a mental note to hand off Navy’s appointment to one of the other veterinarians I work with.

That little dose of Bess was all I needed to convince me that another minute with her would be more trouble than I’m willing to deal with.