Within five seconds, Leo straight-lines it back to the table.
“On second thought, Lucas is going to get this round.” Leo has a grin and pats my back.
“Why?” Max asks.
“A) Your business partner Jess is here, and we know how she feels about me,” Leo lists, and yes, I have been back long enough to know that Jess and Leo do not see eye to eye. “And B) Jess is here with Abby, so a perfect time for Lucas to subtly appear.” Leo’s smile is too cheeky for his own good.
Lining my sight to the bar, I see Abby talking with Jess. They’re laughing, and Abby is out of her animal doctor clothes. They’ve been replaced with tight jeans and a loose peachy-colored sweater that falls slightly off her shoulder, and her hair is down.
My life right now is about starting my next chapter as a soon-to-be divorcé and getting my son comfortable with his new surroundings on the days that I get to see him. It never crossed my mind that someone would arrive in my path that sparks a second glance. Nor is it a great idea considering I probably should get my ducks in a row in this thing they call life.
Yet my mind seems to have a crazy idea that I would love to play doctor with Dr. Abby Call, and lines form on my forehead that the thought even crosses my mind. Then again, I’m a man with needs.
What the hell? There is no protocol for my situation, which is why my eyes and legs seem to be moving towards her without thought.
3
ABBY
=
“Sounds like Cabo was great. I’ve only been to Cancun,” Jess mentions as she tosses her dark auburn hair behind her shoulder. Our two glasses of dry white wine arrive and are placed in front of us on the mahogany bar top.
“Yeah, and it was nice to go with my cousin Avery. I’m hoping one day she moves here. Nice to escape this winter weather for a week of sun. But anyway, guess what happened today?” My face must look elated as I gently touch Jess’s arm.
Her eyes widen and her face gives me a look to continue.
“Lucas stopped by the practice today. I heard a rumor he was back, but we hadn’t crossed paths yet.”
Jess gives me a knowing grin. “Ah, so adult Dr. Kade meets adult Dr. Call. You seem rather excited by that surprise. I actually saw him while you were on vacation. He stopped by our office for lunch with Max, I just tagged along.”
Jess isn’t originally from around here but has lived here a few years, and we’ve been friends for a little while now.
I take a sip of my wine and notice that Jess is looking at me funny.
“This is kind of cute. It’s almost like you’ve been harboring a crush for the guy all these years. Or you are finally ready to have a little fun between the sheets and the handsome doctor is just what has been prescribed?” Jess teases me.
I shake my head. “Okay, I admit it has been awhile since I…you know…well, anyways, it doesn’t matter.” I shake it off. “It was just nice to catch up with an old face and someone who maybe understands the divorce train.”
It’s true. I haven’t slept with anyone since the ex-husband. That has equated to reading a lot of steamy scenes on my e-reader, a vibrator, and living vicariously through stories of my friends. After sleeping with the same guy for ten years, it does something to your psyche. I have a fear that the world of sex changed during those ten years and I’m out of practice. It’s a scary realm, and I have no clue how to navigate dating. Not just that, but the idea of relationships has forever been tainted by the big D-word.
But today, for the first time since the finalization of my divorce, I felt a flicker. It bounced and jumped up and down my veins. Lucas Kade excited me the same way he did when I was the teenage girl with a crush. It’s like an odd time warp happening in my head and body.
Jess takes a sip of her wine and nods her head. “Don’t be insecure, Abby. You have no reason to be. Besides, looks like your favorite doctor is examining you.”
My eyes draw a line to where Jess’s gaze is focused, and it seems there is an attractive man striding our way with intention and a charming grin slapped across his face.
Lucas arrives at the bar and stands between Jess and me. His fingers indicate to Nate to come take his order. “Three whiskeys and another round for these ladies.”
“On your bill? Because you are not pulling the brother card tonight,” Nate warns him as he throws a towel over his broad shoulder and has a grin that nearly matches Lucas’s. Must be hereditary.
Lucas waves Nate off. “Yeah yeah yeah, make it quick and I may add a tip,” Lucas teases then turns his attention to Jess and me.
“Twice in one day?” Lucas looks amused when he looks at me.
Inearlyblush. “Your lucky day, I guess.”
Jess gently shakes her head at the giddy scene unfolding. “Right, let me take those drinks to Max and Leo.” She grabs the freshly poured drinks.
