Page 52 of Dr. Sexypants

Hell no, we weren’t meeting at the restaurant.

I waited until I got in my car the next morning to text back.

Me: No. I’ll pick you up at 6:45. See you tonight.

This time, there was a text waiting for me when I woke up.

Kristy: See you then.

~~~~

I had enough time to stop by Bark ’n Bath, the local grooming shop, to see if they had toys for Dora. The selection was limited, but I picked out one that squeaked and looked like a cheeseburger.

I felt bad that the young woman in the purple smock had to stop grooming a white terrier that I was sure I’d seen in the neighborhood in order to help me.

“I didn’t know you had a dog, Dr. Weaver.”

I hated when people knew my name, but I didn’t know theirs. She looked familiar, but usually when I saw people, they weren’t at their finest.

Luckily, she had a name tag on.

“I don’t, Kelly. It’s for a friend’s dog.”

“Oh, is it for Dora?”

Fucking small towns.

“As a matter of fact, it is.”

“She’s going to love that. It’ll take some effort for her to get the squeaker out.”

I tilted my head, so Kelly continued, “That’s kind of her thing.”

I loved that she knew that about Dora.

But I still hated that she knew who I was buying it for. I guess I had to take the good with the bad.

Next stop was the flower shop.

Maybe they’d know Kristy’s favorite flower.

~~~~

The ladies at the flower shop didn’t know Kristy’s favorite flower but suggested a pretty bouquet with an assortment of colors that was already made. I leaped at it so I didn’t have to wait for them to make something for me.

Now as I stood at Kristy’s door with the flowers and dog toy, I wondered if it looked like I was trying too hard.

I decided, fuck it. It’s how my mama raised me, so if Kristy thought less of me for having good manners, then that was her problem.

Then she opened the door and my jaw hit the floor.

She was fucking stunning in a ruched baby-blue dress that stopped midthigh and hugged every single curve of her body. Her shoulders were bare, but the sleeves rested at her biceps—in line with the neckline that dipped ever so slightly where her cleavage was.

Her blonde hair was styled and curled and fell around her shoulders. Her makeup was dramatic with pinky-purple eyeshadow that sparkled, and the deep shade of pink on her lips emphasized their bow shape.

She’d never looked more gorgeous, and it took a second for my brain to formulate words.

Finally, I was able to eke out, “You are breathtaking.”