Page 28 of Counting the Stars

“What’s this about going somewhere fancy?” And why am I just hearing about this now?

“She’s got a hot date with a doctor.” Michelle’s head pops up from beneath the counter where she must’ve been grabbing some utensils. We have a rule that if the girls cook, the guys stay out of the way until it’s time to clean up. Then that’s on us.

“You have a date?” I ask with bitterness laced in my voice. It’s impossible to hide my anger.

“It’s not a big deal, but if you must know, I met a guy—”

“You mean a doctor!” Michelle interrupts.

“Fine. Doctor,” she huffs. “Anyway, we were in line next to each other at the cafeteria. One thing led to another and he asked me out for dinner.”

“A doctor from the hospital?” I rub my chin. “Who?” It can’t be any of the doctors from the Emergency Department. They’re either married or nearing retirement.

“His name is Josh Payne. He’s new…sort of. He said he was a resident but left and came back.”

“I haven’t heard that name.” I try scanning my memory for any recognition. “What does he practice?”

“Alex. I need to go.”

“Just tell me what he does, and why isn’t he picking you up here?” It pisses me off that she’s being so vague.

“Because he had a meeting. We agreed to meet at The Lighthouse for dinner.”

“Ohh. The Lighthouse. That’s more than just a casual dinner. He still should’ve offered to pick you up so I can vet him.”

“You do not need to vet him. He seems perfectly fine.”

“Perfectly fine…” I make a clicking sound with my tongue. “He sounds like an exciting guy. Just tell me what he does.”

“Fine!” She taps her foot in frustration. “If you must know, he’s a proctologist.”

“Eww.” Aly scrunches up her nose, then catches her faux pas. “I was so surprised about you going on a date that I didn’t think to ask what he specialized in.”

“Neither did I,” Michelle says as she continues to flutter about the kitchen.

“Oh, come on. It might not be as glamorous as say, a cardiologist or brain surgeon, but someone’s gotta do it,” she tries to rationalize.

“Someone’s gotta do what?” Jax walks through the door and makes a beeline for his wife. He places his arm around Aly’s waist and she leans into him with a sigh of contentment. A pang of jealousy hits me. I want that. I want what they have and I want it with Gabby. And now she’s going out with someone else? This is bullshit.

“Gabby is going out to dinner with a proctologist,” Michelle answers.

“Eww.” Jax recoils a bit and Aly shoots him a look. “I mean, wow! That’s a very important job. You never know when you need an expert to examine your ass.”

Aly elbows Jax in the stomach.

“I mean butt.”

Aly takes her heel and presses it against the top of Jax’s foot.

“I mean tush.”

“Really?” Aly says exasperatedly.

“What? That’s what my mom calls it.”

“Hey, guys!” Carter saunters in. “Wow, Gabby, you look great!”

“Thank you.” She grabs her purse and tries to make a quick exit.

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