Page 73 of Forgot to Tell You Something

This Tally won’t let me in, and I’ve no one to blame but myself.

She doesn’t respond to the declaration about my love. I guess she’s not ready for that yet, but I note the smile crossing her face. At least her heart hasn’t canceled out the option.

“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but your son is a genius. Honestly, he’s the best doctor I’ve ever worked alongside, and I’ve worked with my share. He’s brilliant in his diagnostics, calm in his approach, he thinks outside the box, and he’s unflappable under pressure. Not to mention that he’s exceedingly kind to patients and staff.” She sends me a wink. “Doesn’t hurt that he’s damn easy on the eyes, either.”

Tally may be unsure about any public displays, but at that moment, I don’t give a rat’s ass. I lean over, wrapping my hand around her nape and pulling those delicious lips to mine. I don’t care that my mother is watching; I don’t care if the pope is watching. I slide my tongue along her lower lip, begging entrance to the most talented mouth I’ve ever known.

After a second’s tension, her lips part, and I feel her shiver beneath my palm. I maintain an easy rhythm, caressing her tongue with my own. For a few moments, I forget that anyone exists beyond the two of us. I melt into her, begging without words for her to return to me.

Tally didn’t state outright that she’s in love with me. Her declaration was so much more than that, and she needs to know I feel the same way about her. She’s my perfection.

Pulling back, I chuckle as Tally wipes a bit of her gloss off my lips. Her cheeks flame pink, and she’s the epitome of everything adorable in this world, wrapped up in a sexy, edible package.

“So much for keeping it on the down-low,” she mumbles, but I don’t detect any hostility in her voice.

“I told you I wasn’t in favor of that approach,” I volley back, earning a full-fledged grin from my tiny vixen.

“Your mother—” Tally argues.

“Is fine, with everything.” My mom takes another bite of her salad, a bemused smile on her lips. I guarantee the woman is planning table arrangements for our wedding. In her book, we can’t march down the aisle fast enough.

The rest of dinner passes in jovial conversation, complete with a few tales about my first few weeks at Memorial. My head won’t fit through the door to the restaurant, thanks to all the accolades the two women shower on me, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every second.

I’m used to my mother bragging on me. Hell, she’s a mom. That’s what they do. But to hear Tally sing my praises? That’s sexy as fuck.

Just saying, if Tally told me to go down on her at the table, I wouldn’t say no. Hell, licking her pussy is tempting without her saying a word. I’m addicted to that woman’s body, something else I don’t think she’s used to experiencing.

“Nightcap at the condo?” I ask, shooting Tally a warning look as she pulls out her wallet to pay the bill. “Your money is no good here. I’m treating my two favorite ladies to dinner.”

“Let me leave a tip,” Tally insists, pulling out far more than the standard twenty percent.

I cover her hand. “I’ve got it, Darlin. You keep your money.” A few moments pass before Tally concedes, slipping her wallet back into her purse.

It’s ironic. Charlotte has scads of money. She has millions in trust funds, but never once opened her wallet. On those rare occasions we spent together in public, she expected me to pick up every tab. Every single time. Meanwhile, Tally has little—if anything—saved, but offers to pay without hesitation.

My tiny vixen is a class act. “Come on. You can help me select some furniture. The condo is eerily empty. It needs your touch.”

Tally shakes her head. “As much fun as it sounds to spend your money, I have to get home. I’m working tomorrow.”

I narrow my eyes in confusion. “You are?”

“Yes, I have some reports to file, implementing ideas that a certain recent addition to our staff mentioned.”

“Darlin, it can wait until Monday. Enjoy your time off.”

“I want to do it. Your ideas are brilliant, and I want the staff and patients to feel the ramifications of the changes as soon as possible.”

God, I adore her. She’s as dedicated to her work as I am. “Can’t you come by for a little while? You haven’t even seen the condo since I moved in.”

Tally presses her lips to my cheek. “I’ll see it soon. Promise.” She stands, but hesitates, her fingers gripping the edge of the table as she wobbles.

I’m on my feet, my arm around her waist. “Are you okay?”

She nods, waving off my concern. “I’m fine. I stood up too fast, got a bit dizzy.” She swings her smile between my mother and me. “I promise, I’m okay.”

I help my mother into my car before walking Tally across the lot. After seeing her old car again, I blurt, “We’re taking you car shopping.”

“I can’t afford a new car, Owen. She looks ragged, but she’s reliable.” She pats the roof of the old sedan, not meeting my gaze, and my stomach flips. I embarrassed her, which is the last thing I want to do.

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