Page 46 of Perfect Imperfections

He chuckled as he read the message. Ellie most likely forgot because after two seconds on the phone late last night, he’d brought up their kiss again and the conversation had turned a bit…naughty. Who knew the sweet woman could have such a filthy mouth? She’d been shy at first, but once he’d mentioned how sorry he was their kiss got interrupted, she’d opened up. Telling him in explicit detail what she’d wanted to do to him and have him do to her the other night. Sullivan had now made it his goal to fulfill every single one of her wishes. Soon.

After their call, he’d taken care of himself in the shower. It had taken the worst of the edge off, but not by much. Knowing Ellie wanted him as much as he wanted her ramped up the need inside him to epic proportions. He couldn’t ever remember wanting a woman this badly before. Not only that, he enjoyed spending time with Ellie. She was funny and smart, and she made him feel comfortable. Like he could be himself. Not just a doctor, or a dad, but Sullivan. All the bits and pieces that went together to make him who he was.

Sullivan: I’ll tell her.

He texted back, pausing a moment before adding.

Sullivan: Is she the “giant lady” Charlotte keeps talking about?

Ellie sent a laughing cry emoji.

Ellie: Yup. Cam is almost six foot, so I’m sure to a child she would be a giant. I feel that way around her too, but don’t you dare tell her.

He chuckled. Ellie had told him a little about her best friend, Cam. He vaguely remembered meeting her that day at the zoo, but he’d been so worried about Charlotte everything else was a blur. Anyone Ellie considered a friend had to be a good person.

Sullivan: My lips are…

Then he texted her a gif of a seal.

Ellie: I’ve created a monster.

Sullivan: What? I like your love of animal puns. They…

He grabbed the meme of a duck with the words Quack me up written on it he’d saved from an earlier internet search and sent it.

He took a sip of his coffee as he waited for her reply. It didn’t take long for a picture of a bear to pop up along with a kissy winky face emoji.

Ellie: You’re unBEARably cute.

Laughter burst from him. Gavin would call him the corniest cornball ever—if Charlotte was present, if she wasn’t—he’d say Sullivan had lost his damn mind. That wouldn’t be far from the truth. He didn’t recognize this strange, playful side of himself. Ever since his parents died, he’d felt this immense pressure on his shoulders. Gavin had only been seventeen at the time, so Sullivan had taken a semester off school and filed the paperwork to become his brother’s legal guardian. He’d helped his brother finish school and apply to college, going back himself to finish undergrad and head right into medical school.

When he met Claire, it just felt natural to propose after a year and a half. Like the right thing to do. What he was supposed to do. Finish school, get a job, get married, have kids. Be an adult. That was the life his parents wanted for him, and he didn’t want to disappoint them. Didn’t want their death to derail the grand plan they imagined for him. They had been wonderful parents. They deserved him following through on their plan.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like his life. He loved being a doctor, helping people. He also loved being a dad to Charlotte. The happily ever after marriage thing had failed, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. It took two to destroy a union. He couldn’t fix his marriage when his wife walked away, sending divorce papers and no forwarding address.

So, he’d failed a bit, but he was trying like hell to stay on track with the rest. He’d been so obsessed with toeing the line all these years, he’d forgotten what silly fun felt like. This bubbly excitement low in his gut every time he got a text from Ellie. The terrible animal puns they sent back and forth. The late night, naughty talk. This was something for him. Just him. Ellie made him feel good, happy. He liked it. He liked her.

Sullivan: Do you have any plans for Friday night?

Ellie: Well, I was planning on watching Planet Earth for the seventh time again, but…

His lips curled, imagining Ellie sitting on her couch with a fuzzy blanket and bowl of popcorn watching nature documentaries. A warm sense of comfort burned in his chest as he felt a longing to sit beside her in that image. He nearly typed out a response asking to join her when another text popped up, reminding him of his original plan.

Ellie: What did you have in mind?

Sullivan: Can I take you to dinner? I can get my brother to watch Charlotte for the night.

He held his breath as those three dots appeared. Staring, he waited, wondering if he’d taken the right approach, asked the right way. It had been years since he’d asked a woman out. Texting the question was probably not the best way to do it. Shit! He should have called or sent her flowers or something. A text? Way to woo the woman, Sullivan.

Inwardly cringing at his own stupidity, a breath of relief left him when her reply appeared.

Ellie: I’d love to.

“Yes!” He pumped his fist in the air, grateful for his private office, where no one could witness his unsophisticated reaction.

Sullivan: Send me your address and I’ll pick you up. Does 6:30 work for you?

Ellie: Sounds perfect.

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