Page 14 of Texting Dr. Stalker

I was twenty-nine, owned property with a mortgage covered by rent, inherited a house worth far more than I could ever afford, and most of my education had been paid off thanks to my parents’ life insurance policy when they passed away.

I had no worries in my own life.

Which meant I had plenty of time to give it to other people who might not have as much as I did.

Flicking a look at the fence between my garden and Sailor’s, he sniffed. “If you don’t ask her out, I’ll do it for you.”

“You can’t be serious.”

His eyes hardened. “Deadly serious. I’m sick of you putting yourself last. If this is the only way to get you to think of yourself occasionally, then so be it.”

“She was just strangled by her ex, you idiot. She’s not exactly in the market for a hook-up.”

“So don’t be a hook up.” He devoured a wing. “Be the guy you are. Support her while she’s going through this rough patch. Be her friend first if that’s what floats your boat. God knows you could use another one, seeing as I’m the only one who tolerates you.”

“Get out of my house.” I pointed at the gate with my beer. “You’ve overstayed your welcome.”

He laughed. “Threats don’t work when I know you don’t mean them.”

Sighing heavily, I dumped my plate on the wooden table between us. I tried to gather my thoughts so he wouldn’t ruin my life. “Look, I appreciate your concern—”

“You’re welcome. I figured I better worry about you, seeing as you worry about everyone else.”

“But you have to promise me you won’t go near her, alright? It’s not my place, and it’s sure as hell not yours.”

He sat up and wiped his hands on a napkin. “Not your place? What the hell does that mean?”

“I mean it’s not ethical. I’m a doctor, and she’s a patient and—”

“She’s notyourpatient. And even if she was, there’s no law saying you can’t date.” He grinned. “That ‘suggestion’ was just some morality clause thrown in to prevent—”

“Predators from preying on injured people.”

“So you’re a predator now?”

“No, I’m—” I cut myself off with a groan. “I’m her neighbour. That’s all.”

“Didn’t you say your grandmothers had dreams of marrying their kids off to each other?”

“They did, and look at how well that turned out. Melody and Rory’s son ran as far away from them as possible, and my parents were childhood nemeses only to somehow defy all odds by getting married at eighteen and staying married.”

“There’re always the grandchildren then. That’s you, by the way. I’m sure you’d make some ghosts very happy if you married the girl next door.”

“Not gonna happen. And if you’re not going to drop this subject, leave.”

“How are your sisters, by the way?” Colin waggled his eyebrows, knowing full well my threats were useless. “Single?”

I relaxed slightly, grateful the topic of conversation no longer included me. “Jolie just had a bad breakup actually, and Christina doesn’t want anything to do with the opposite sex after what her ex did to her, so you’re shit out of luck.”

“Why does it sound as if all the women in your life hate men?” He toasted me with a sausage. “You know, you should start repairing women’s faith in our fair sex by proving to Miss Sailor Neighbour over there that you’re—”

“Done with this.” Standing, I loomed over him. “Pick another subject or forfeit the right to eat this insane amount of food and go home hungry.”

Standing too, he clapped me on the shoulder. “Tell you what.” A dangerous glint appeared in his blue eyes. “I’ll drop all mention of you pining over the girl next door if you make up a plate for her and take it over there.”

“You’ve lost your damn mind.”

“No, I’m saving yours.” He smirked and shoved me toward the table. “You won’t relax if you don’t see for yourself that she’s coping being home. So…here’s your excuse. You’re only being a good neighbour. Take some food. Isn’t that what everyone does around here anyway? Borrowing sugar and baking cakes and shit? I doubt she’s cooked dinner, and this way, you have an excuse to see for yourself that she’s gonna be okay. She doesn’t need you worrying about her on your day off, and then we can get back to the program of drinking and relaxing. Fair?”

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