“I’ll be right back.”
“Isn’t he handsome?” Anneli gushes.
“That’s beside the point. You tricked me.”
“It’s not all her fault,” Christian chimes in. “Adrian has asked about you constantly ever since seeing a picture of you and Anneli at a track meet together. He really wanted an introduction, so I told him you’d be here tonight.”
“Orders up,” Adrian announces, placing our drinks on the table.
“Thank you. That was quick,” I say.
“The bartender is a friend of mine.”
“Christian, I need to talk to you in private about the thing,” Anneli says.
“What thing?” he asks, confused.
I narrow my eyes at her, knowing exactly what she’s about. I pinch her leg underneath the table, but she grasps my wrist and forces my hand away before dragging Christian from the table.
Fucking asshole.
“Are you enjoying Florida so far?” Adrian asks.
“I’ve only been here for about twenty-four hours.”
“Right.” He chuckles.
“I’m sure I’ll love it. I needed a change of scenery.”
“Whenever you’re ready to do some sightseeing, I’ll be your personal tour guide.”
“I just might take you up on your offer.”
“I’m counting on it.” His intense eyes roam over my face, like he wants to gobble me up.
“Have you always lived here?” I ask to break the tension.
“Born and raised.”
“Where did you go to medical school?”
“Johns Hopkins.”
“Why come back?”
“To be near family and accomplish my goal of opening a practice in the community where I grew up.”
“Have you always wanted to be a pediatrician?”
“No. I didn’t decide on a field of study until high school.”
“What prompted your decision?”
“I met some really cool underprivileged kids while mentoring at a Big Brothers program. I developed a strong bond with them and their families. That’s how I learned they were not receiving quality medical care. Christian and I never turn anyone away because of their inability to pay.”
“You’re a bit of a philanthropist.”
“It’s no big deal.”
