Sawyer flashes Heidi another giant smile. “Yeah, gotta keep in top shape so I can rescue the fair maidens.“ He gives her a wink, and I cover my snort of derision. But Heidi doesn’t hold back the same way.
“Let me tell you a secret. Thosefair maidenswon’t be interested in your muscles if you call them fair maidens. This isn’t Camelot, and you’re not a knight in shining armour.”
To his credit, Sawyer doesn’t take offense. He throws his head back and laughs. “I like you, Heidi Morgan. You’ll keep old man Max on his toes.”
My glower deepens at Sawyer’s use of that stupid nickname. “That’s enough, Sawyer, let’s go,” I say gruffly. I incline my head to Heidi, without meeting her eyes. “Enjoy your day Dr. Morgan.”
I make my way to my car, hoping my damn brothers will follow. I hear Beckett murmur his goodbye and Sawyer’s more enthusiastic one, then they’re beside me.
“What the flying fuck was that?” Sawyer demands. “First of all, why didn’t you tell us you worked with total hotties? Second of all, why are you being an asshole to her?”
I glare back at him. “Don’t call my resident a hottie. Or any woman, for that matter. You’re being borderline misogynistic with comments like that, degrading them to nothing more than their looks.”
Sawyer has the decency to look ashamed. “Sorry, man.”
“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to — that would be women everywhere.” I open my car door and gesture at Beckett. “You ready to go?”
He nods, then turns to his twin. “Max is right. You need to tone down the bonehead comments, bro. Show some respect.”
Sawyer’s eyes are downcast. “Yeah. Right. I get it.” He looks up. “But are we gonna talk about why Max has a hate-on for his resident?”
“No. We’re not.” I get in my car and slam the door shut. Beckett slides in a moment later, and I peel away from the curb, heading out of town to the hiking trails.
After a few moments of terse silence, Beckett speaks. “I know Sawyer was the bigger issue, but he’s not wrong that something was off with you. He wasn’t the only one being inappropriate with Heidi. I won’t push, but I’m always willing to listen.”
I let out a low sigh. “I know. I just don’t even know what to say about it, at least not yet.”
“Okay. You’ll make the right call. Just trust yourself.”
Wise words from my younger brother. Too bad they’re not so easy to live up to.
Because the right call would be following through on reassigning Heidi to someone else. Someone who isn’t automatically biased against her simply because of who she’s involved with. And as the days go by, I’m questioning why the hell I’m not doing just that.
Chapter eight
Heidi
The universe hates me. That’s got to be the only answer as to why I’d run into Max on my day off, my one day away from his glares and scowls.
And for him to have not one buttwoequally attractive brothers, one of whom is every bit as flirtatious and charming as Max is abrasive and rude?
Not. Fair.
On behalf of women everywhere, I curse the Donnelly genes for producing drool-worthy men but shortchanging them in the personality department.
At least the third brother stayed quiet. He wasn’t a cocky player like Sawyer, or a mean grump like Max. I guess he’s their redemption.
When I get back to my apartment after my trip to Dogwood Cove, I make a cup of tea and curl up on the couch with the book I picked up at the cute little bookstore, run by a woman named Paige and ironically called Pages. It’s an autobiography I’ve been wanting to read for a while but never had the chance.
Yet, no matter how many times I reread the introduction, I can’t get my mind to focus on the words. I keep drifting back to those tense few moments on the sidewalk in the adorable small town I’ve dreamed of living in someday. Where Max Fucking Donnelly poured salt on the wound that has been my self-esteem ever since we started working together — by showing his disdain for me is not limited to the hospital.
Thad hurt me deeply. There’s no question. But Max hating me for no apparent reason is painful in a different way.
I wish I knew what the heck I did to earn his disapproval. The Max I remember from years ago was respectful, kind, and friendly, even. Heck, although I didn’t let myself think about it, seeing as I was with Thad, he used to be charming, and I’ve always been attracted to him physically. We never had an issue — until the day of my going away luncheon, when he met Thad. I know that’s what turned him against me, but I don’t know why he’s still holding it against me all these years later.
It’s that very question I moan into my wine glass hours later when my best friend from Vancouver finally arrives.
Skye is here for a work trip, and I’m so glad she managed to extend it by a day to spend some time with me. As much as I feel so good about my move back to the island, I miss my friends and some aspects of living in a larger city.
