Page 19 of Both Sides Now

Can’t forget about her.

But in a wholly unexpected move, Keegan silences the call and slides the phone into his pocket. Then he grabs our cups and tosses them in the trash, before motioning toward the front door. "After you."

Maybe he’s not serious about the woman, after all.

And why does that information make me so damn happy?

After waiting an hour for us to finish our coffee, Domino is thrilled to be on the move again. She prances along, her tail held high, and takes a wee on everything that stands still long enough. So much for that being a male dog trait.

I regret that much of her puppyhood was spent confined to the yard, dealing with a mum who had no ambition to move beyond the garden gate.

"What kind of dog is Domino?" Keegan asks, sidestepping the pup as she loops between us.

"A mutt. But, I believe she's descended from royalty. That's the story I tell her, anyway."

"You Brits and your royal lines," Keegan ribs, dodging Domino once again.

"You know I'm British, but what are you?"

"Human? I'm half Irish and half Italian. Hence the name."

"Ah. Makes sense." I barely manage the last word as Domino succeeds in her quest to entangle us.

I lose my balance, but Keegan grabs me before I hit the ground, pulling me against him.

"Thanks," I mumble. My heart is pounding, and I can't be sure if it's from the near fall or Keegan's proximity. "Damn dog."

"She has an agenda," Keegan murmurs.

I'm steady on my feet now, but he has yet to release his grip. It's as though neither of us wants to retreat from this shared space. "She's been on a mission this entire stroll."

"I wonder what her end game is?"

"Hard to tell." My throat chokes out the words, as if all the energy in my body needs to focus on the racing of my heart.

"What's your end game, Calli?" His own voice is deeper, dripping over me and further heating up my already inflamed core.

"The better question is, what is yours?" I draw ever closer to him, my lids heavy, my gaze focused on his mouth. Those delicious lips that I'm craving more than oxygen.

The ring of his phone rattles us both, and I spring away from him, damn near tripping over Domino's leash in the process.

What am I doing? I almost kissed my doctor! I'm a married woman who almost kissed my doctor—who is also not single, I might add.

I'm losing my damn mind. That's got to be it.

Keegan glances at his phone before rolling his eyes.

Not hard to guess who’s on the other end of that call.

"You'd better go.”

Right back to your statuesque brunette with EEE breasts.

"She's relentless. Likely has some inane question or demand that can't wait a moment longer. Who am I kidding? They're all inane."

"Why are you with her?" I blurt out, shocked by my forthright question.

He shoves the phone back in his pocket, scrubbing his face with his hands. “Honestly? I don't know anymore. That sounds terrible, doesn’t it?”

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