Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Once I finished and broke down all the boxes to take downstairs, I was tired, so I lay down. When my eyes opened again, the sun was low in the sky, and I knew I had been asleep for a couple of hours. I hoped no one had needed me or come to the door and thought I was ignoring them. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep.
Standing, I picked up the T-shirt and sweatpants that belonged to Levi. I needed to return them to him. Although the shirt smelled like him, and I was reluctant to let it go. I liked having something that smelled like him.
Opening the door, I stepped out into the hallway, seeing Levi’s door was open. I peeked inside, but he wasn’t there. I quickly placed the items on his bed, then left his room to go back to mine and get the boxes.
When I reached the stairs, I heard voices somewhere in the house. The door at the bottom of the stairs to the right opened, startling me. I dropped two of the flat boxes, and they tumbled the rest of the way down.
“Shit, I’ll get those. You don’t have to carry them,” an unfamiliar male voice said.
I looked over the top of the stack of boxes still in my hands to see a blond guy I’d not seen before coming toward me.
“Here, give those to me.” He took the load in my hands away and then gave me a crooked grin.
My eyes went to the tattoos on his arms, and there was even one on his hand.
When my gaze lifted to meet his eyes, I noticed he wasn’t looking at my face, but rather scanning my body. It made me feel self-conscious, and I wrapped my arms around my waist.
His eyes darted back to my face. “So, you’re Aspen?” he asked.
I nodded my head.
He smirked, as if something amused him. “I’m Kye.”
“You live here too?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yep.”
“Aspen,” Levi’s voice called out, and my attention instantly shifted to find him at the bottom of the stairs. “You’re awake.” He seemed tense.
“Yes, I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I explained.
“You needed it. If you could come into the office with me, I have someone here I’d like you to meet.”
“Okay.” I looked back at Kye. “Thanks for taking the boxes for me.”
“Anytime you need my muscles, just let me know,” he replied.
I felt my cheeks warm and wished interactions with attractive men didn’t make me blush so easily. He stepped aside and waved for me to go ahead of him. I made my way down to Levi, who was waiting on me at the bottom, but he was scowling at Kye.
Levi’s face softened when he dropped his eyes to meet mine. “Come with me.”
I followed him into the office and noticed two men already inside. One was older with white hair and a distinguished look, and the other had silver in his temples, but wasn’t as old. They were both well dressed and appeared to be completely focused on me.
“Aspen, this is Dr. Carmichael and Dr. Andrus. Dr. Carmichael has been our physician for over twenty years. Dr. Andrus is the number one cardiologist on the East Coast. I’ve spoken with them, and both are willing to come here and handle most of your medical visits. When specific equipment is required, Dr. Andrus will set up a private entry for you to go to his office. They’ve brought the required paperwork and release that you need to sign so that your current doctors can hand over all your medical records.”
I stood there, staring at him, not sure what to say. The questions swirling in my head were overwhelming. I didn’t know what was more important. What to address first. This wasn’t something that just happened—I would know.
Dr. Andrus, the younger of the two physicians, stepped forward and held out his hand to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aspen. I want you to know that I’ve worked with hundreds of people who suffer from Ebstein’s anomaly. I’m certain that I can not only take over your care, but also improve your condition.”
I slipped my hand into his and shook it. I had no doubt he could too. That wasn’t the issue. Having the number one cardiologist would be life-changing for me. I smiled weakly at him, then turned to Levi.
“I can’t switch doctors,” I told him softly. “I don’t have insurance—I mean, well, I do through the state. I’m on Medicaid.” I glanced at the two doctors in the room with us and wanted to cry. “I’m positive that they don’t take Medicaid.” I tried to laugh, but it didn’t sound very convincing. More like I was choking on my own saliva.
Levi cut his eyes at the doctors, then back to me. “A private insurance plan is currently being handled and will cover their cost.”