The Doctor Is In Read Free Page B

Kasen how she felt, but she also knew that one day the opportunity would present itself. She would not give up her dream; she would just put it on hold while she worked out a new plan.
    Kasen looked at his watch, ready to make a move to the jewelry store. “I’m out,” he said. “Wish me luck. I should be back around two, with or without your melted shake.”
    She flashed another fake smile. “Whatever, boss,” she said as he left the office.
    As soon as she heard the elevator doors closing and she knew she was alone, she picked up a chair and threw it against the wall to release some of her pent up anger.
    “Damn!” she shouted out loud. “Please, please, please don’t do this. I hope that bitch has enough sense to say no.”
    The chair had left a sizable dent in the wall, which she was sure Kasen would question later. She put the chair back where it belonged, hoping she could come up with a reasonable excuse before he returned. In the meantime, she had a phone call to make.
    She shut the door to his office and then snatched up the phone on her desk.
    “Hey, hey, mmm, I need your help,” Voncile said when her friend picked up the phone.
    “Depends on what you need.”
    “I need you to kill somebody. Can you handle that?”
    The woman on the other end laughed. “Of course I can. Tell me when, where, and how you want it done. I’ll take care of it, especially if the price is right.”
    “The price is always right. Meet me later. We’ll talk more about it then.”
    Voncile laid the phone back on the receiver feeling a whole lot better. Maybe that darn proposal wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

Chapter 2
    Kasen sat uneasily on a sofa in Raine’s spacious office. She had left for lunch over an hour ago but was expected to return shortly. Raine had no idea Kasen was in her office waiting for her, nor would she be prepared for what he was about to do. This was sudden. But the timing, according to Kasen, felt right. He also felt that Raine needed some good news. She was overwhelmed with the many troubled children who attended the school district where she worked. They both had full plates, but Kasen’s plan was for him to propose, for Raine to say yes, and then the two of them could celebrate this evening when they got home.
    Kasen was hyped about his plan, but a little tense because he wasn’t sure how Raine would respond. While he knew she loved him, he also figured that there was a chance, however small, that Raine could say that she wasn’t ready to be a wife, or to give her all to one man. She had been the one to insist on more of a commitment when he moved in with her, but since then, it wasn’t like they really discussed their future beyond that move. What if it he was wrong to assume that she wanted to take that next step?
    This new doubt that had crept in weighed heavily on Kasen’s mind as he paced the floor for a while and then plopped back down on the sofa. A sheen of sweat formed on his forehead, and his once-crisp white shirt was now stuck to his skin. He removed his jacket, hoping to loosen up a bit and feel at ease. This was a very intense moment for Kasen. He couldn’t help but wonder if all men felt this way when they were about to propose.
    “Chill,” he mumbled under his breath. “Relax and calm down.”
    That was what he attempted to do, but before he knew it, he was back on his feet, pacing back and forth again. His thoughts switched to the tiny black box in his pocket. As soon as he had laid eyes on the three-carat diamond ring at the jewelry store, he knew it was the one for Raine. She had superb taste, and he knew she would love it. Just the thought of her opening the box and locking her eyes on the ring made him crack a smile. He felt himself relaxing ever so slightly.
    He took a deep breath and walked over to the window. From the third floor, Kasen watched the children playing kickball on the school playground. Several teachers stood nearby, watching their classes. Two police