I finish cleaning up the exam room and hurry over to my office.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” I say. She turns around and smiles, grinning at me.
“Donny!” Sabrina rushes forward in heels that are too tall for any reasonable woman to wear, and she wraps her arms around me. “It’s been forever.”
“Too long,” I agree, hugging her. “How was your flight?”
She laughs. Sabrina isn’t a shifter, but she was able to hitch a ride from someone who is. That’s how she managed to make it to Fablestone looking as fantastic as she does. She pushes back her dark red hair, which is carefully styled. Anywhere I’ve seen her, Sabrina has always managed to look her best. I have no idea how she does it. We worked together in some of the most remote parts of the world, but she always managed to smile in a way that lit up the world around her.
I hope she can do that for Reece.
I hope she can light up his world.
He could use a little hope right now and a little compassion. He’s been through hell and knowing what I do about Reece, he’s going to be really hard on himself after the choices he made today.
“It was wonderful, of course. Thank you for arranging everything.”
“Not a problem. I’m just glad you were able to come on such short notice.”
She waves her hand, motioning me to forget about it.
“That’s not a big deal, buddy. You know I’d do anything for you and your clan. We go way back, Donald. Friendship actually means something to me.”
I know what she’s saying without her actually saying it. Sabrina was hurt, long ago, and I don’t think she’s entirely gotten over it. Still, she’s somehow managed to make it through the darkest of times while helping other people also move forward and out of the darkness.
“You got to meet Natalie?” If everything went according to plan, the dragon who transported Sabrina dropped her off at my house. She should have met my mate, gotten settled in the guest room where she’ll be staying, and then come over to the clinic to talk with me about Reece.
“She’s a peach,” Sabrina smiles. “I can see why you chose her.”
“I wouldn’t say I chose her. More like she chose me.”
“Your dragon definitely chose her, buddy. She’s perfect for you: sweet, kind, welcoming. Plus, she’s sassy. And she’s super hot.”
I chuckle. Sabrina is bisexual, so she’s more aware than other females when someone is ridiculously attractive. She’s not wrong, though. Natalie is the most beautiful female I’ve ever met. She’s incredible, and I adore her.
“I have to admit that I agree with you.”
Sabrina nods. Then she sits down in one of the chairs across from my desk and motions for me to sit, too. I do so, sitting beside her instead of across from her. Sabrina and I are equals. She’s not my submissive or my mate or my girlfriend. She’s not someone who needs me to boss her around. She’s another medical professional who happens to be Reece’s best – and possibly only – shot at recovery.
“Why don’t you tell me why you called me here, Donald. Word on the street is that it’s urgent, but judging from your wife’s smiling disposition, I think it’s safe to say she’s not the problem.”
“She’s not.”
“So who is?”
“I like this about you.”
“What?” She asks quizzically.
“Your no-nonsense approach to asking me questions. You don’t beat around the bush. There’s no bullshit with you.”
“Not to be rude, but I don’t really have time for bullshit in my line of work.”
“What do you mean?”
“I deal with mental health, Donny. I can’t exactly avoid hard topics when someone is suffering emotionally. Just like you aren’t going to tell someone to sit around and wait for an open wound to heal without stitches, I’m not going to ask someone to stop feeling scared or sad or suicidal. Not when I can do something about it. So what is it that I’m facing?”
“Post traumatic stress,” I tell her.