“I don’t know. By the time I made it over to the clinic from my office, they must have gotten scared and took off. The cops were already on their way because of the automatic call when the alarm was triggered. I just thought you would want to know.”
Holy shit. Who would try and break into the clinic?
“Did the cameras pick up anyone walking in? And wait. It’s Saturday. What are you doing in the office on a Saturday?”
“No, they were wearing hoods so we couldn’t see anything. And… I was here. That’s it. No big deal. I just wanted to let you know because I’m sure the police will contact you.”
“Do I need to come over?”
“No. They didn’t get in, so nothing’s gone. The police are about wrapped up now.”
I let out a relieved breath. “OK. Call me if you need anything.”
We hang up and I walk back inside. We’ve never had anything happen like this before. We are in a safe neighborhood. Hell, I think this is the first time the security system has even been set off. Yes, we treat families that are on hard times, but none of our patients strike me as pill poppers looking to get their next fix. Which is the only reason I can think of for breaking into a medical clinic.
“Everything OK?” Mark asks as I walk back into the gym.
“Someone tried to break into Innovative.”
“What? Who? Do they know who?”
I shake my head. “No. Cameras didn’t get a look at their faces and the alarm scared them away.”
“Do you need me to do anything?”
“No, man. At least not yet. Thanks. I’ll keep you in the loop.”
“Oh my gosh, there you are!” Paige says, pushing her way through a row of kids lined up to try to dunk the principal. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
I take her hand and give it a squeeze, only because I don’t want to get her in trouble for PDA at a school event. “Sorry, Angel. Ready for the announcement?”
She puts the envelope in my hand. “The stage is yours. Go make your nephew and his class the happiest kids here.”
Her smile is so big that I’m not about to ruin her day with news of a failed break-in at my practice. I can tell her later.
Now, it’s time to tell them which class won a trip to a baseball game.
Chapter Thirty
Paige
“Hold still while I zip this up.”
I let out a groan as Kelly tries for I’m pretty sure the tenth time to get this dress on me. “Quit trying. It’s not going to fit. Don’t you have something a little less… I don’t know… tight?”
“You are not going to your first Virginia society function in a loose dress. The vultures will eat you alive. You will wear a dress that shows off your amazing body that you didn’t have to pay a cent to have altered, which will drive those bitches crazy. And it will zip. I just need… a little… more… there! Got it!”
I let out a sigh of relief. But not a big one. This dress doesn’t allow for big breaths.
When Garrett asked me to attend a charity dinner with him tonight, I, of course, said yes.
Then I realized what I had agreed to.
A fancy dress. Heels. A dinner that likely costs a thousand dollars a plate. People who exchange niceties with air kisses and fake conversations. Women like the ones who were at the champagne lunch.
His ex-wife.
My anxiety was real once I put all of that together, so I called the only person I could think of who could help me in this situation.
