Page 31 of Curvy Wives of Willow Creek 5-8

He explains each medication, their dosages, and how long I should take them. I nod along, but in truth, I'm barely hearing him. The thought is there, in the back of my mind, the temptation to linger with the pain for the chance to see him again.

However, I quickly push it away.

What am I thinking? I have a life, friends, and a job that I enjoy. I don't need a man, especially not a random doctor I met minutes ago. I'm fine on my own. I'm better on my own.

"There's a pharmacy just outside," Liam informs me.

I nod and thank him, then rise from the chair. Our eyes meet one last time, a moment suspended in silence. But the romantic gesture I'm hoping for doesn't come. I leave the room, the doctor's office, him.

Once outside, I press my back against the cold wall, taking a deep, shaky breath. Life really has a sense of humor, doesn't it? As if the pain in my side wasn't enough, now I have an attractive doctor stuck in my mind.

Pushing off from the wall, I straighten my back, clenching my fists at my sides. This isn't how I'm supposed to be.

As I approach the hospital's entrance, the nurse at the front desk beams at me, asking if I'm feeling better. I give her a curt nod.

"Doctor Liam is just the sweetest," she gushes, giggling, "All the patients love him. We, nurses, do too!"

I force a tight smile, feeling something akin to disappointment.

"I can see why," I reply curtly before rushing out of the hospital.

The realization hits me harder than it should have. Liam was just being his usual charming self. It wasn't something special for me. And just like that, the bubble of fantasy pops, leaving me with a bitter taste of reality.

My fury is a hot coil in my chest as I march toward the pharmacy. I berate myself for allowing my judgment to slip, for letting a hot doctor — any man, for that matter — disrupt the firm two-year commitment I'd made to stay away from men.

It was probably the pain talking, the pain, and his goddamn beautiful green eyes.

I stride into the pharmacy, determined to be done with it all. Just a shower, a dose of those pills, and a good night's sleep — that's all I need. I'll wake up good as new, free from this ridiculous infatuation.

I wait in line for my turn – three people before me. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes before it’s finally my turn. The nurse at the desk fetches my medications with an efficient speed that I'm grateful for, and within minutes, I'm out the door.

My car is a short walk away, but suddenly a sharp pain rips through me. I stumble, leaning against a parked car, legs shaky, chest heaving. Sweat trickles down my brow, and I'm sure I'm about to hit the pavement when strong arms catch me.

Turning my head, I look up at Liam's concerned face. His smile is teasing as he says, "We really have to stop meeting like this."

Despite everything, I can't help but grin back. The man is funny too. Great, just great.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him.

“My turn just finished. You were my last patient,” are his only words.

After helping me regain my footing, Liam firmly tells me I can't exert myself, not even for walking to my car. I grind my teeth, frustration creeping back in. It's only when he assures me that the discomfort will pass in a few days that I relax a smidgen. For now, he insists on helping me get to my car.

His hand on my waist is a lifeline, strong and warm as he guides me. My eyes flick to him involuntarily. His green eyes seem to light up the dimming day, their depths promising secrets and stories I want to know, to unravel. But I force myself to look straight ahead, biting my lip to keep my wayward thoughts in check.

As we reach my car, his hand finally leaves my waist, a sense of loss flooding in with its absence. He holds the car door open for me as I slide into the driver's seat, pulling it shut behind me. I steal one last glance at him through the window. It was fun while it lasted, a glimmer of light rapidly dimming now.

Chapter 4 - Liam

I can't just let her leave.

The slight blur of her face behind the glass feels surreal, like I'm peering into another world. I stand rooted to the spot, waiting for the rumble of the engine and the sight of her pulling away. But time ticks by, and she's still there. Concern lodges in my throat like a pebble.

Knocking on her window, I find my voice steady but laced with worry. "Are you okay to drive?"

She lowers the window, her brown eyes meeting mine in the half-darkness. Her words are reluctant.

"I... I don't feel too comfortable driving right now."

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