The Tooth Hurts Chapter 1

My tooth had been staging a week-long protest, and I’d finally decided to negotiate.

Of all the dental chairs in all the city, I had to end up in my ex-boyfriend’s.

He wore a poker face, his voice flat. "Open up."

A moment later, the verdict. "It can't be saved. You need a root canal, then a crown. Thirty-five hundred."

My whole body went rigid.

Holy shit. That’s half a month’s salary.

How could the same mouth I had once kissed so passionately utter something so clinically cold?

My voice trembled. "Is there… any way to make it cheaper?"

My ex-boyfriend, Dr. Leo Carter, arched an eyebrow.

"Sure," he said. "It's free for family."

* * *

After a combined assault of ibuprofen and amoxicillin failed to quell the rebellion in my jaw, I finally waved the white flag and booked an appointment. I chose the closest in-network dentist my insurance would cover.

When I told my best friend, Jenna, she decided to reward my bravery.

She hired me a male model for moral support.

"Okay, babe," she texted, "Kaden will be there tomorrow to hold your hand. If the pain gets too bad, just focus on his abs."

The next day, I managed to coax myself out the door. I had to admit, having company was different. Kaden was ridiculously sweet, a non-stop charm offensive that actually managed to distract me from my impending doom.

Until the nurse called my name.

"Maya Chen."

My heart hammered against my ribs. I walked stiffly toward the exam room, my steps leaden. The moment I saw the doctor, I spun on my heel and bolted.

Who in their right mind wants to run into their ex when they’re at their most vulnerable?

I was halfway down the hall before Kaden and the nurse caught up, blocking my escape.

"Hey, you were so close," Kaden said, his voice a smooth balm.

"Where are you going?" the nurse asked, grabbing my other arm.

I was escorted back like a prisoner, one on each side.

Leo Carter sat on a rolling stool, methodically pulling on a pair of latex gloves. A surgical mask hid the lower half of his face, but the cool indifference in his eyes was exactly as I remembered.

He frowned at the commotion, then looked up. "What’s going on?"

His eyes met mine, and a flicker of surprise crossed his features. He asked again, his voice a low rumble. "What is it?"

Kaden patted the back of my hand. "It's okay, Maya. I'm right here."

Leo’s eyes narrowed. It was his tell. The signal for deep annoyance. His gaze dropped to where Kaden’s hand rested on mine.

"Family only in the exam room," he said, his voice clipped. "You can wait outside."

My brain was a chaotic mess of panic and old memories; I didn't even register his choice of words. I just trudged over to the chair and lay down like a patient on death row.

"It's the lower left," I mumbled.

"Open."

The cold metal of an instrument grazed my cheek, sending a shiver through me.

"Don't move."

My hand shot out, grabbing the hem of his white coat.

"Does this hurt?" he asked, probing.

A strangled noise escaped my throat.

"You have a cavity," he stated, withdrawing. "We need to get an X-ray."

As he stood up, my hand fell away, clutching at empty air. The nurse appeared at my side. "Come with me."

A few minutes later, I was back in the chair.

Leo stared at the image on the computer screen, his brow furrowed. "It's a deep one. The decay has reached the pulp, it's infected. You need a root canal."

My world collapsed. I’d done my research before coming. Everyone said a root canal was torture. I squeezed my eyes shut in despair.

Leo continued to explain the procedure, his voice a clinical drone. Only his last sentence snapped me back to reality.

"It's your lower left molar. You'll want a crown on it afterward. Otherwise, it could fracture when you're eating. If it cracks, the only option is to pull it and get an implant."

My eyes flew open. I couldn't afford to wallow in self-pity.

"How much is a crown?" I asked, my voice tight. "Does my insurance cover it?"

"I'd recommend the thirty-five-hundred-dollar option. It’s the best value. It's an imported material, so insurance won't cover it."

My whole body went rigid.

Half a month’s salary. Holy shit.

How could the same mouth I had once kissed with such searing heat utter something so clinically cold?

My voice trembled. "Is there… any way to make it cheaper?"

Leo arched an eyebrow. "Sure. It's free for family."