Page 60 of Dr. Intern

“Are you sure you’re a doctor?” she asks, popping her hand on her hip.

“Yes?” I reply, not sure where she’s going with her question.

“Because this really isn’t that hard to follow. Here, scoot over so I can explain everything during the next episode.” Claire leans forward, her breasts nearly popping out of her top as she pushes me to the side and wedges her perfect body between me and the arm of the sectional.

“You gotta focus,” she scolds with a frustrated sigh, drawing her knees into her chest as she leans against my shoulder.

Yeah, because it’s going to be so easy to focus now.

The next episode plays while Claire explains the background of every single character, even diving deep into their motivations and fears. The only thing she misses are their social security numbers, and I marvel at how she could know so much about complete strangers.

I try my best to listen, but the only thing going through my brain is how soft her arm feels against mine as she wiggles to get comfortable. Every bit of my brain capacity is focused on maintaining the boundaries I’ve set for us, but I’m getting dangerously close to saying fuck those boundaries and giving in.

Claire must notice something’s up because she picks up the remote and pauses the show, looking over at me with concern. “Did you have a bad day or something?”

“No? Why?”

“You seem distracted, like there’s a lot on your mind. I hope I’m not bothering you,” she says, her face falling with her words.

I shift my body, meeting her gaze so she knows I mean what I’m about to say. “First of all, you’re never a bother. Honestly, I’m happiest when I’m with you, even if you’re making me watch this mind-numbing garbage.”

Claire rolls her baby blue eyes but there’s still a hint of uncertainty in them. I grab her legs, spinning her body to place them in my lap.

“Secondly,” I add, squeezing her bare feet and making her giggle, “I’m sorry for making you feel that way. Forgive me?”

“If I must.” Claire tilts her perfect lips into a half smile. “Wanna talk about it?”

“Not really,” I admit.

“Seriously?” she presses, her thin brows knitted together as she studies me closely. “You’re the one who tells me that I suck at emotions and here you are, practically about to explode.”

“Am not,” I counter.

“Are too,” she finally cracks a smile. “You’re clenching your jaw so hard, you might break a tooth.”

I release her feet, letting her stretch her legs out across my lap. Putting my hands behind my head, I lean back against the couch with a massive sigh.

She’s right—I’ve got to practice what I preach.

I just wish it was easier.

“I’ve had lots of opportunities to talk to Parker about us,” I start, shutting my eyes for a second to help me get the words out. “I just haven’t.”

Claire shifts her legs. “Do you not want this?”

My eyes fly open again, and I instinctively reach for her, drawing her onto my lap. My arms tighten around her waist, and I inhale deeply, the comforting blend of cinnamon and vanilla calming me down.

“You’re the only thing I want,” I murmur, resting my chin against the top of her head, “which is why this is so hard.”

Claire nuzzles into my chest with a comfortability that I’ve only ever dreamed of. “You’re not saying something.”

For someone who sucks at expressing her own emotions, she sure is good at reading the emotions of others. Guess I’m going to have to say it . . .

“I don’t think your brother is okay with us seeing each other.”

Her nose wrinkles as she takes my admission. “But you just said—”

I cut her off. “At the retreat, Parker said that I was the last person that he would ever want his sister to date.”

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