Undercover Lover Read Online Free Page B

there. I think everyone has at some point in their life. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t think about paying me back. Just pay it forward. Someday, you’ll be in the position to help someone. Do it.”
    “Is that what you’re doing, Doc?” He looked up at her, and electricity zinged between them at the warmth in his green eyes.
    “I do what I can,” she said.
    “Well, thank you. I don’t want to waste any more of your time.” He handed her back the empty glass.
    “Let me get those vouchers for you,” she said and went into her desk for them.
    “Thanks again,” he said, taking the red coupons from her.
    “How does your knee feel?”
    “It felt like it was on fire on the table, but now it’s bearable. I’m not sure how much of that is from just resting it though.”
    “You don’t have to believe anything you don’t want to,” she assured him. “But I’d like to see you again next Friday.”
    “I’d like that too.” He grinned at her, and her heart did a little dance.
    “Bye,” she said, feeling like a high school kid with a crush.
    He gave her a mock salute and walked out. She told herself she was just watching to see if he was limping and not checking out his butt.

Chapter Four
    P am paid a visit to Piotr’s mother’s tea shop a few days later. It was in her old neighborhood. She drove past her old house, and like she did every Sunday when she came this way for tea and cake, she sent positive energy their way. Lord knew all the negative energy from when they lived there needed to be expelled somehow.
    She parked behind the shop and hurried in through their back door before the rain that was threatening to come down started in earnest.
    “Pam,” the owner of Tea Time, Vera Serov, said. “I wasn’t expecting you today.”
    “I couldn’t stay away from your prianiks . I swear I can smell them baking in my dreams.”
    “You just might,” Vera said. “They are that good.”
    Pam sat down in her usual spot by the window.
    “Would you like the spice tea blend today?”
    “Actually, I’m going to go for the herbal and the vegetable prianiks today.”
    “Coming right up.” Vera smiled at her, and Pam wondered if she knew that Pam was pressing charges against her son, or if she kept herself out of Piotr’s business because it hurt less that way.
    While she waited for her tea, she stared out the window and watched the people. It was rough on the outside. She could see people driving by with their windows firmly rolled up and no doubt their doors locked against the young men and women hanging out on parked cars or against the buildings. Pam watched a dice game going on and remembered blowing on her father’s lucky dice and hoping he didn’t crap out.
    She jumped when Vera set the teapot and teacup in front of her.
    “Vera, about Piotr…” she started to say.
    Vera shook her head and held up a hand. “I know. I’m so sorry he bothered you. But he’s an adult, and he has to take the consequences for his actions. I indulged him too much, I’m afraid. Maybe if I had a husband or if I hadn’t had him so young, he would have turned out different,” she said sadly.
    “It’s not your fault. You were, are, a great mother.” Pam laid a hand on her arm. “Sometimes, it’s just the street takes the people we love, and we’re left with the collateral damage.”
    “Yes,” Vera said. “Like your papa.”
    Vera had been such a good friend to her in high school. She had let Pam stay over at her house when things got real bad.
    “I’ll drop the charges,” Pam said. “As long as he keeps away from me.”
    “No, don’t. He won’t.”
    “What if he goes to jail?” Pam said. Like my brother remained unspoken between them.
    “Then maybe he won’t wind up hurting anyone.”
    The bells over the door jangled, and a good-looking man in a suit walked in. He was a big guy, nearly had to walk in sideways through the door. He wore mirrored sunglasses, and when he turned his head to look at Pam, she