Compulsive (Liar #1) by Lia Fairchild Read Free Book Online Page B

frustration possibly.
    He looked down at our hands, surprised they were still
touching and pulled his back. “It’s important I get the list back to you. I
don’t want to hold you up.”
    “Sure. I don’t know how that slipped away from me, but
I appreciate you contacting me about it.”
    He gestured with his head back the way I’d come from.
“My briefcase is over here.”
    I followed him, past the TV room where Alyssa still
sat, and over to a separate seating area. A dark brown briefcase rested against
one of the chairs. A coffee cup and black spectacles lay on a table across from
the chair.
    “You’re very trusting to leave this sitting here,” I
said, waiting for him to sift through the contents of the open bag.
    It was then I noted his much more casual attire—snug
blue T-shirt, loose-fitting jeans, and tennis shoes. “Yes, well…” As he pulled
the sheet of paper out, others came along with it, causing him to fumble with
the case and loose papers. A few fell to the floor, and we both bent to get
them. A drawing of a young girl caught my eye. I reached for it, but Dr.
Harrison swiped it up and returned it to his case. “Thank you,” he said as we
both stood. I’ve been spending quite a bit of time here lately and…” His
attention was drawn back toward the room by another outburst.
    “I don’t want anyone in here right now,” the young
voice cried. Another nurse lingered in the doorway—this one looking haughty and
annoyed—before giving up and leaving.
    Whoever that distressed girl was, she wasn’t getting
her message across. My heart went out to her as I listened to her cries and
moans still audible beyond the door. No matter what medical issue she had to
deal with, I understood that feeling of not wanting to be comforted by people. The
necessity to be alone, away from pitying eyes, away from people making your
pain a reality to be dealt with. “That poor girl,” I whispered to myself,
staring down the hall.
    When I looked back to Dr. Harrison, he was staring at
me thoughtfully. “That’s my niece.”
    “Oh…Is she going to be all right?”
    “She has leukemia.” He took in a slow breath, turned
his gaze down. “She’s only fourteen. Going through chemo.” His whole demeanor
appeared darker, more unstable than he was before.
    “I’m sorry. That must be so horrible and scary for her.”
    “She was actually being quite strong and mature until
some of her hair started falling out this morning.”
    “Oh. I understand her reaction now. Hair is important
to a young girl.”
    “Apparently. It’s just that…” Helplessness flashed
across his face briefly. He looked down at the list in his hand. “Anyway, here
you go.” He forced a tight smile. “Hang on to it this time.”
    “Thank you. I’ll try.” I took the list, folding it
into my purse. “What were you going to say?”
    “It’s not important. The important thing is getting
Jessica through this and getting her healthy again. Good luck to you, Gray.”
    “You, too.” I offered a smile I don’t think he noticed.
    He turned his back to me, setting the soft leather
briefcase back down, signaling my required exit. I followed my orders
hesitantly, glancing over my shoulder with concern as I went. Something
wouldn’t let me walk away. No matter how much I was like Jessica, that didn’t
mean I didn’t have empathy for someone else’s pain. I returned to sit next to
the good doctor who leaned over in the chair with his face buried in his hands,
looking anything but a superhero.
    I placed a gentle hand on his firm bicep. “Can I help?”
    His head turned to me. His tired eyes met mine and
then narrowed. Had I made a mistake butting in? It felt as though I had invaded
his personal space. Then, he grinned sweetly. “Thank you. I appreciate the
offer, but there’s nothing you can do.”
    He stared straight ahead for a few moments; he ran his
hand through his hair before he looked at me again. As much as I’d hoped to
give