Page 26 of Doc's Decision

She doesn’t pull away.

“I should go check on Kash,” I say reluctantly, not wanting to leave her side but knowing I need to peek in on my boy.

He’s been out cold for a couple hours now.

Ivy waves me off from across the room, where she’s pouring another round. “I got him, Doc, don’t worry. You two go on and enjoy yourselves for a bit. I’m not taking no for an answer,” she adds when Mandy opens her mouth.

Ivy winks at us over the bottle of Jack.

I chuckle and stand, holding a hand out to Mandy. “You heard the lady. Let’s go get some air.”

Mandy hesitates a second before taking my hand and letting me pull her to her feet. Her skin is soft and warm against mine. “I need a drink first.”

“Well, come on then, darlin’. I know where Dixon keeps the good stuff.” I lead her over to the bar, reluctantly dropping her hand so I can duck behind it and grab a bottle of eighteen-year-old Macallan scotch and two tumblers.

Mandy watches appreciatively as I pour each of us a few fingers worth.

We clink glasses and head out the back door onto the small deck. The cool evening air greets us.

Stars glitter overhead, bright against the inky sky.

Music and voices filter out from inside, but it’s muted as if we’re in our own little bubble out here.

Mandy takes a sip of her drink. “It’s a nice night.”

The amber liquid clings to her plush bottom lip for a second before her tongue darts out to lick it away.

I swallow hard.

“Sure is.”

I lean my forearms on the rough wood railing, glass dangling between my fingers, and turn to study her. “You warm enough?”

She mirrors my pose, her arm brushing mine. “I’m good, thanks.”

We both take a drink, savoring the slow burn sliding down our throats.

Crickets chirp in the grass.

I’m hyper-aware of every breath she takes and every shift of her weight from foot to foot.

“So . . . about the other day,” Mandy says after a few charged moments, “when you kissed my forehead. What was that all about?”

Even in the low light spilling from the clubhouse windows, I can make out the furrow between her brows and the uncertainty in her hazel eyes as she gazes up at me.

My heart thuds against my rib cage. “Guess I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you, ‘specially with Kash and all. You’ve really stepped up, Mandy. More than you had to.”

She shrugs and looks down into her glass, hair falling to hide her expression. “It’s nothing. You needed help, so.”

“Nah, that ain’t nothing. Most people wouldn’t bother.” I reach over to tuck some hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger on her jaw to tip her chin up until she meets my eyes again. “Why’d you do it?” I ask softly.

Mandy’s throat bobs as she swallows.

A self-deprecating little laugh escapes her. “Honestly? I’ve never had anyone really be there for me, not like you are for Kash. Guess a part of me just wants to know what that feels like.”

“What do you mean?” I frown, not liking the pain that flashes across her face.

Makes me want to hunt down whoever put it there and beat their ass.

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