They made their way over to the table. Aubrey slipped back into her seat next to Ian, and she headed to the opposite end. The crowded space meant she had to shimmy sideways to reach the chair next to Logan.
When she arrived, she gripped the back of the empty chair and pointed at it with her other hand. “Is this seat taken?”
“Nope.” Logan peered up at her and smiled brightly, allowing his dazzling whites to practically blind her. “It’s all yours.”
Brooke dragged the chair out and flopped herself into it. She greeted Dr. Salsburg and Dr. Hernandez, who both worked in radiology. They exchanged a few pleasantries before they returned to a conversation with one another.
“I’m glad you made it.” Logan tapped his shoulder against hers. “It’s nice to see a familiar face. Everyone has been nice, but you’re the main reason I came tonight.”
“Then I guess you’re lucky I stayed. I almost hightailed it out of here.” Brooke snatched the menu left behind in front of her seat. Her stomach rumbled. She flipped it open. “I’m in a bit of an awkward situation. My ex is sitting down at the other end with his new girlfriend, and we broke up yesterday.” She pretended to peruse the menu and didn’t dare look over at him.
“Dr. Moreno is Justin and is your ex, right?” Logan inquired with a low voice. “He introduced me to his girlfriend when he arrived. I didn’t—I mean, yikes. He already brought his new girlfriend. Wow, what a jerk move.”
Dr. Salsburg and Dr. Hernandez on the other side of the table talked about the hiring of a new head of Radiology. Brooke nodded as she half listened then flipped to the next page of the menu. Food, she needed food to face tonight, and quick.
“I know. It’s terrible.” Brooke peered over at his plate. “What did you order?”
Logan looked down at his plate like he forgot what he ate. “Some kind of pizza that a few of the doctors ordered together. I’m sure there is still enough to share.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m hungry.” Brooke flipped back to the page with the pasta pages. “But I don’t know what for.”
Logan picked up his piece of pizza and took a bite. After he wiped his face with a napkin, he inquired, “I’m assuming you and Justin parting ways wasn’t up to you?”
“Nope.” Brooke whipped the menu shut. “Which is why I’m over here alone, and he’s over there with the new woman he started dating before he even broke up with me.”
Brooke twisted in her seat to catch a server’s attention then waved them over. The server approached. Brooke ordered a plate of chicken pesto pasta and a side salad. She hoped everyone didn’t leave before her food arrived. Then the server left to put in her order.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here.” His lips twitched in the corners. “Thanks for suffering so I didn’t have to be alone.” Their eyes locked, and heat flooded her core.
She broke their gaze first. An untouched glass of water sat in front of her. “Do you know if anyone has drunk out of this?” She pointed at the cup.
“I spit in it earlier.” Logan winked. “But, besides that, it’s free game.” He smirked, making the flirtatious energy weaving between them go up a notch.
Brooke fought off the smile. “Do you always spit into random glasses of water?” She faked caution as she took a small sip of water.
“I knew you were coming, and it was my only defense to keep anyone else—” he tilted his head to her chair, “from sitting there. I figured if I mentioned the spit water, they’d sit elsewhere.” Hecracked his knuckles then leaned back against his chair. “And it worked like a charm.”
“Ahh.” Brooke sipped again then set the glass down. “Thank you? How very chivalrous of you,” she teased.
“I know, right?” Logan tapped his shoulder against hers. “My mother would be proud.”
An eruption of laughter from the other end of the table interrupted them. They peered past the doctors in the middle. Justin, his new girlfriend, Aubrey and Ian laughed hysterically at some video on Justin’s phone. Her back stiffened and jaw clenched tight. Then she forced herself to shift back and for good measure twisted her back to them so she had zero chance of seeing them.
“Sorry.” Logan lowered his voice and picked up another slice of pizza from the platter in front of him. “But if it makes you feel any better, you’re prettier than her.” He shoved the end of the pizza into his mouth.
Heat splashed her cheeks.
“You shouldn’t say things like that.” Her throat grew tight. Brooke sipped on her water again. “Comments like that can get you into trouble.”
He finished his bite and shrugged. “But it’s true. And I’m not trying to date her. I find you attractive and not her. She isn’t my type.” He ate another bite of pizza, then added, “Plus, you’re way more interesting than her.”
“How would you know?” She fidgeted with the silverware in front of her. “You don’t know either of us.”
“I know that you like Oreos and bread. That means you have good taste.” He wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin then ate another bite of his pizza. “And you’re an incredible pediatrician which means you’re ambitious and driven.”
He chewed. Brooke watched him. Slowly, he swallowed, and she watched the gentle glide of his Adam’s apple bob. A primalurge made her want to run a finger down the length of his neck. For a solid three minutes, she hadn’t thought about Justin once. Progress.
“That makes me sound—” She caught her fidgeting and leaned her forearms on the table, “I could say the same about you.”
