bChapter /bb110 /b

    Amber’s POV

    I was having a really bad night. I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything but memories of that footage and of the things Chase said to me about Julian. I hadn’t wanted to believe him, but the evidence was clear.

    Not only did Chase have the ck eye, but he also had the video to show the act.

    Julian hadshed out in an uncharacteristic show of violence. Only then did I learn that maybe that violence wasn’t so uncharacteristic after all.

    Ug, I didn’t know what to believe.

    But I was so tired of staying in, worrying about it.

    So I hired a babysitter, then went with Anna to the local bar. There was only one in town. It was a smaller kind of ce, a microbrew that had their own selection of beers. They had other drinks too, though, which I was grateful for, because I truly felt like I needed something stronger tonight.

    In preparation of this, Anna did the driving. The parking lot was packed, showing how busy the bar was. But, as it was the only bar in a 100 mile radius, it was typically pretty crowded.

    After some circling, Anna found a spot and parked.

    “It’s been a while since we did something like this,” Anna said.

    As a professional Healer, I didn’t want to gain any kind of negative reputation by frequenting bars, so I avoided them most of the time, choosing to drink a ss of wine at home if I felt the urge.

    I wasn’t a big drinker anyway. I typically liked being in charge of my mind and my faculties.

    Tonight though, after stressing so much all day, I was ready for a taste of relief and an escape for a while. Tomorrow, I could go back to being responsible.

    Tonight I wanted rum.

    Walking into the bar, Anna and I saw many familiar faces. We knew almost everyone in the small town, so that wasn’t unexpected. People said hi to us as we entered. A few of them had new ailments they wanted me to look at right there in the bar.

    Unfortunately, that wasn’t unusual either.

    When I finally made it through the crowd, I noticed Chase sitting at the bar. He seemed distracted by something, yet when he spotted me he immediately perked.

    “Healer Amber!” he called. He grabbed his drink, slipped off the barstool and came closer. “What a

    pleasant surprise.”

    Unable to take myself fully out of my job at any time, I found myself inspecting his bruise. It seemed to be healing since this morning. A good sign. His healing factor was still quicker than that of a human, then, though remnants of the bruise would likelyst a couple more days.

    “And who is your beautiful friend?” Chase said, eyeing Anna.

    “This is the patient that charmed Ca?” Anna asked me.

    I nodded.

    “Chase, this is Anna. Anna, Chase.”

    “A lovely name for an alluring woman,” Chase said.

    Anna gave me a look, as if to ask, Is this guy serious?

    I gave her a returning look to tell him that he was.

    Chase called the bartender for us. “Whatever they want, it’s on my tab.”

    Anna considered him. “Maybe he isn’t so bad. But I’ll get the second round.”

    “Fair enough,i” /iChase said.

    I hadn’t expected ito /isee Chase tonight, and that didn’t really fit in with my ns toin about Julian. I didn’t want to do that in front of Chase, especially when Chase likely still hard feelings about

    Julian and the punch. He’d probably try to talk me out of my feelings for Julian.

    Anna would too, but I at least trusted her.

    Chase was still a wildcard in my eyes. I was happy to help him with his heart condition, but with the way he flirted, I felt like he wanted something more from me. I hoped I was wrong.

    X