Page 17 of Irresistible

Yep, I think she’s changed her mind.

I pull my shirt away from my neck to get a little breathing room and hear a throat clear next to me. I glance over and see light blonde pigtails first, her dark brown eyes staring at me and then down at my hand in Brooke’s.

I untangle my hand and breathe a little better.

“Hi, Dr. Wyatt,” Dakota says. “Is she your wife?”

“Hello. Uh, no, this is my friend, Brooke. Brooke, this is—”

Marlow rushes up behind her. “Sorry to interrupt,” she says. “Dakota, let’s get back to our table.”

“It’s okay,” Brooke says. “Aren’t you cute,” she says to Dakota. She smiles up at Marlow. “She’s adorable.”

“Thank you,” Marlow says, smiling back at her. Her expression sobers when she looks at me. “I got your message. Thank you so much. I’m really excited about this opportunity.”

I feel Brooke’s eyes on me too, as I try to school my reaction to seeing Marlow. I couldn’t even tell you what she’s wearing, but everything about her just screams perfect to me.

“What opportunity?” Brooke asks.

Her sales skills are really coming into play now and she is pulling out those people skills. It’s actually a good thing since I seem to be struck silent when Marlow’s around.

“I got a job at the hospital,” Marlow says.

“Oh, congratulations. That’s great,” Brooke says.

She looks at me and I nod.

“Congratulations,” I tell Marlow, clearing my throat when it comes out gruff. “When can you start?”

“Well, the timing is perfect. I was able to get Dakota enrolled in preschool already, so I’m good to start whenever you need me.”

“Excellent,” I say, my lips turning in what feels like more of a grimace than a smile.

Brooke frowns slightly as she looks back at me and then at Marlow. “You don’t sound like you’re from around here…”

“Oh, yes,” Marlow says, laughing. “I barely get two words out before people are asking where I’m from. My daughter and I just moved here from Texas.”

I glance at her hand and where I know I saw a wedding ring that first day, there is now a bare finger. It looks damn good. I sit up straighter, my mouth going dry.

“Just the two of you?” Brooke asks, her tone a little sharper.

“Just the two of us,” Marlow says, nodding. “We’re starting a new life together here and I could not be more excited about it.”

“Isee,” Brooke says.

My shoulders straighten and something in me settles. I don’t know why, but I feel better than I have in quite a while. More like myself.

“How about you come in tomorrow and spend a day or two with Helen? She can show you the ropes and then you’ll be ready to go solo by Monday.”

“Perfect,” she says, smiling at me.

“Perfect,” Dakota echoes, doing a cute little dance.

I smile at her and when I look back at Marlow, her eyes are light, happy.

Takes my damn breath away.

Brooke reaches over and takes my hand when Marlow and Dakota walk away. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the last time. I can’t wait to get back—”

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