Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (books to get back into reading TXT) 📕

him?” I placed my hand on his chest. He quickly held it there in place. “You understand that, don’t you?”

“Yes, baby, I understand. Don’t worry about me, I know you love me,” I could feel his grin on my forehead as he was kissing me. I was so comfortable in his warm arms, listening to his heartbeat, watching his chest rise with his breathing, it was lulling me to sleep.

“Josh,” I said in a sleepy voice, “don’t let me go to sleep. I have to leave in a few minutes.”

“Shh, baby, don’t leave me just yet.” He was kissing the top of my head, his voice low and soft. “Stay a little longer. I promise I’ll wake you in fifteen minutes. Just let me hold you for a few more minutes.” I barely nodded, already drifting off into a delicious sleep.

18

I woke up to a knocking noise. I looked up. Josh was fast asleep. Well, so much for fifteen minutes. I heard Belín calling my name through the door. I gingerly got out of bed and ran to the door to open it. She came in frowning at me.

“What happened to you? It’s been an hour!” She was irate.

“I’m sorry, Belín, we both feel asleep without knowing it.”

“Asleep!” she chided. “You get everyone to lie and sneak around so you two can sleep?!”

“Shh, he’s still sleeping,” I snapped. “Let me get my purse and we can go.” I went over to the chair to fetch my purse. I gazed at Josh’s handsome, sleeping face and gave him one last kiss on his lips before I left. I didn’t want to leave but I had to push myself.

“Give me just one minute so I can leave him a note,” I said.

“Okay, but hurry.”

I got the card my mother sent and wrote a couple short sentences. I stood the card upright so he’d know to read it and placed it on the tray table. I rolled the tray table in front of him so he wouldn’t miss it.

We walked at a fast pace back to the stairs. All the lights in the hallway were on. The hospital was starting to wake up. I glanced at my watch. It was six fifty. Almost time for rounds. A few doctors were already starting but no one I knew, thank goodness.

We got to the stairs, trying our best to race up two flights. It was definitely easier running down two flights. We arrived at our floor and walked back to the kitchenette where Belín and Brenda were waiting for me. Brenda was back at the front desk starting her day. Other technicians and nurses were starting to arrive. Belín was gathering our jackets when I caught her staring at me.

“What?” I demand.

“You look like you just woke up,” she said, still staring at me. “Did you bring your press powder and blush?”

“I think so,” I replied, digging into my purse. “Whew, got it!” And I pulled it out. I went looking for a mirror so I could fix my face and hair. I noticed my lips looked a bit red and swollen from kissing Josh, so I put on some lip gloss as well. I turned to Belín for her approval.

“Much better,” she declared.

I quickly put everything back in my purse and got my jacket on so Ben wouldn’t notice we were dressed alike.

“Did you notice or see any female agents while I was away?” I asked.

“Actually, I forgot to pay attention,” she answered with a glance at me and grinning. “Brenda and I were having the best conversation. I learned she has traveled the globe more than I have. Her husband was once in the Navy for many years, so that accounts for all her traveling. They have twin daughters in high school. She loves working here and meeting new people and she thinks you’re the kindest doctor in this hospital.” Belín hooked her arm with mine as we walked, and she finished, “And no, it’s not because you gave her those tickets, she truly believes you care about everyone’s feelings.”

I have always admired how she always manages to get people to open up to her or give her their life story. I suppose that’s what made her a good journalist.

“Belín, I think you have chemistry with everyone you meet,” I told her.

We got to the waiting area and I could see my mother sipping her coffee while Ben seemed to be very animated in his conversation with her. It also looked like they were sharing a box of pastries. I knew my mother was good at getting people to open up.

“Hey, y’all,” I greeted them. “We’re all done here.”

“Honey… Belín… so soon?” my mother sounded surprised. “Ben was just telling me about how he got into medical school and then the FBI… and get this… we know a lot of the same doctors!” She seemed excited. “It really is a small world.”

I glanced at Ben; he was wearing a big smile too. Go figure, he actually enjoyed talking with my mother.

“So, Belín and I are starving and we thought we could all go out to eat before I have to get to work.” I turned to Ben for permission, “Is that okay, Ben? It can be anywhere you think is safe.”

“I think that should be fine,” he agreed.

We headed to the elevators. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. I breathed a sigh of relief. The elevator doors opened and there was David, in his white lab coat, stethoscope around his neck, staring straight at us. FUCK! I screamed in my head as we stepped in. Here came the twenty questions.

“Hey,” he chimed. “What a pleasant surprise! Almost the entire family… and Agent Davis. What is everyone doing here so early?”

“David, sweetie, what are you doing here?” I deflected.