Page 38 of Doc's Decision

She adjusts her pants, smoothing out the wrinkles as I do the same to my jeans, both of us trying to erase any evidence of our near-indiscretion.

"Listen, Mands," I start , "if you ever need to talk or... you know, whatever, my door's always open."

She gives me a grateful smile. "Thanks, Doc. I appreciate that."

“Now come on, let’s get into bed.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Mandy

I'm practically bouncing into the clubhouse, a grin plastered on my face.

Fluttering butterflies still fill my stomach, and I feel like I'm walking on a cloud.

It's been seven days—a whole damn week—since my first official date with Doc and I can't stop reliving all the perfect moments in my head.

His easy laugh, the rough stubble of his jaw under my fingers as I pulled him in for a kiss, the electricity I felt when his hands finally touched my skin.

I let out a dreamy sigh as I enter the main room.

Zoe's sprawled on the leather couch, a playful glint in her eyes as she eyes my beaming expression.

She winks suggestively. "Well someone's in a good mood! I take it things are still going great with biker boy?"

"Better than great." I flop down next to her, unable to contain my giddy grin. "I know it's only been one date but...I've never felt this way before, Zoe. It's like something just clicked into place, you know? Like this is exactly where I'm meant to be."

She throws an arm around my shoulders, giving me a squeeze. "I'm so happy for you, Mandy. You deserve this after all the shit you've been through. And Doc is one of the really good ones. I mean that!"

I lean into her familiar embrace, savoring her approval and support.

Zoe's opinion means the world to me. "Thanks babe. I think...I think this could really be something special. Well, as long as my luck doesn’t run out."

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, just basking in the joyful glow surrounding me.

For the first time in longer than I can remember, I feel hopeful and excited for what the future might bring.

It's all because of a certain bearded, green-eyed biker who's totally rocked my world.

Zoe seems to sense the swirling subject of my thoughts.

She arches a brow at me, her gaze probing. "You nervous for Doc out there on this run?"

I exhale shakily, running my fingers through my hair. "Yeah... I mean, I didn't think I’d be. But something's shifted, Zoe. These days, I find myself thinking about him constantly. About Kash. About our potential future... It's like my heart's on the line in a way it never has been before."

A slow smile spreads across Zoe's face and she reaches out to squeeze my hand. "Babe, I'm so damn happy for you. You deserve this, Mandy—you deserve a love that consumes you, challenges you, changes your whole fucking perspective."

I bark out a laugh, shaking my head. "Okay, okay, enough ego-stroking! I know Doc and I have a connection, but let's not get carried away here. You know I prefer women anyways."

Zoe snorts, rolling her eyes. "Girl, I'm not blowing smoke up your ass. You should hear the way Doc talks about you. It’s like you hung the goddamn moon. I swear, he's completely smitten.Told me the other day that he wishes Kash was yours, that you were building a family together..."

I nearly choke on my own spit, my eyes bugging out of my head. "He... he said that? Holy shit..."

A bittersweet pang lances through me at the thought.

I adore Kash, but the reminder of Doc's baggage, of the other woman who bore his child... damn, it's like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head.

"Speaking of the baby mama," I say, desperate to change the subject, "any idea what happened to Sassy? Where she fucked off to after ditching her own kid?"

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