Page 64 of Dr. Sexypants

My BFF cut me off. “Earl and Joe kidnapped me over two months ago.”

“That night was just a hookup. We didn’t get together again until his birthday.”

“According to your logic then, haven’t they all just been hookups?”

“Yes! Exactly! Now you’re getting it.”

Lainey rolled her eyes and made a circling motion with her hand. “Please continue with your line of bullshit.”

“As I was saying—we’ve only been getting together occasionally for three weeks-ish. We’ve both agreed we’re not labeling this a ‘relationship’. He makes me feel good, I make him feel good, and we have some food and a few laughs, in between. That’s it.”

“And he spoils your dog. And you.”

“Yeah, he does do that.”

Lain stared at me silently with pursed lips for a minute, obviously judging me. Finally, she said, “I still think you should invite him.”

“Yeah, I’ll think about it.”

And I did think about it.

A lot.

It would be fun to drink and dance with Justin at the reception while I wore a pretty dress. I was almost sure he could dance with his prosthetics since he hiked in them.

And he was hot as fuck in a suit.

But I’d been adamant that we were not a couple. Inviting him to be my date at a wedding would send a mixed message.

Still, to ease my conscience, I asked him a few days before the ceremony what his work schedule looked like for the rest of the week and was relieved when he said he was working all weekend.

He told me, “We can get together for lunch Saturday or Sunday though.”

“Sunday should work.”

I didn’t explain further.

****

Justin

The ER was hopping Friday night, so I didn’t think twice when I noticed Officer Vince Vega escort Felix Ferguson in handcuffs through the door.

Although, “escort” might be generous.

Felix stumbled as he walked and weaved on his feet while they waited for Allie McDowell, the charge nurse, to give them the okay to proceed to Room Five.

Vega was a polite rookie; anytime Brian O’Shaughnessy came into the ER, he just went straight to Room Five without waiting for permission. Haven Springs PD had unofficially claimed the room, and the hospital accommodated them by keeping it empty unless we were at capacity. That had only happened once in my tenure in the ER—the July 3rd Incident.

I had a feeling I knew why they were there. Felix didn’t appear to have any injuries, but the jail wouldn’t take him if he was too intoxicated or impaired. He’d have to sleep it off in the ER until he sobered up, and then I’d have to sign off that he was medically cleared to go to jail.

Michelle must have noticed Felix weaving, too, either that or she could smell him, because I saw her take an extra waste basket when she walked into their room.

Meanwhile, I had other patients to attend to. I’d get to Felix when I could.

~~~~

An hour later, I walked into Room Five to find exactly what I was expecting: Felix snoring while handcuffed to the hospital bed, and Officer Vega sitting in a chair looking at his phone.