“You could always join me,” he suggested. “We could go as friends.”
Robert seemed like a nice guy, but I didn’t want to jeopardize my relationship with Declan. Although we would be going as friends, I still got the impression that Robert would take more if I offered.
“Thanks, but I don’t think I can do that. I really am sorry,” I said.
He held up his hands. “I understand. I know you’re seeing someone.” He peered down at his watch and backed away. I was glad to see a smile on his face even though I’d turned him down for the second time. “You have a good rest of the day, Dr. Carington.”
“You know you can call me, Ayla,” I corrected him.
Robert’s grin widened. “Have a good rest of the day, Ayla.”
“You too, Robert.”
He took off and ran past Linda whose mouth dropped as she watched him. She grabbed her chest and fanned herself with her other hand.
“Oh, in my world of living, I have never seen a man like that around here.”
Giggling, I walked over to her. “That’s because he’s not from around here,” I told her.
Her brows lifted curiously. “And who is he?”
“His name is Robert Forbes. He’s spending a few days in the area before heading back home. He said he rented a house just outside of town.”
Linda nodded. “He’s probably staying at Jeff and Macy’s house. They rent their place out every summer while they travel.”
That made me laugh. “Is there anyone you don’t know around here?”
She winked. “I think I know everyone within a twenty-mile radius of Magnolia Grove.”
I wasn’t surprised at all about that.
My lunch break was due to end soon, so I started toward my office and Linda walked with me. “Where’s Declan at?” she asked.
I couldn’t exactly tell her the truth. However, even if I did, she’d probably laugh and think I was joking.
“He had to go back to North Carolina,” I explained. “He’ll probably be gone for a few days. I’m not sure how long.”
Linda lifted her brows. “Does he know you’re talking to handsome strangers?”
“Seriously?” I chided. “It’s not like that. Granted, Robert did ask me out twice but I told him no.”
Linda gasped. “Twice? You’ve talked to him before?”
I nodded. “He came to the office as an emergency during the holiday. He asked me out then, but I told him I was seeing someone.”
Linda snickered. “Declan has some competition.”
“No, he doesn’t. My heart is all his.”
She gasped again and jumped in front of me, her face lit with pure excitement. “Are you saying we’re going to hear wedding bells someday soon?”
My mouth flew open. “It’s way too early for that. We just told each other we loved each other for the first time. It’s going to take a while for the marriage stuff to even come about. If it even does at all.”
Linda pursed her lips playfully. “Oh, it’ll happen, sweetheart. I’m just happy for you both.”
“Thanks, Linda. I’m happy, too.”
“Well, seeing as Declan’s not here for a few days, why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? I can make my chicken pot pie.”
