Page 24 of Both Sides Now

I fan myself, shooting him a smirk. “Careful. You might sweep me off my feet with such a romantic proposition.”

But instead of volleying back another sarcastic edged retort, he inches ever closer, ducking his head close to my ear. “I can be romantic. You’ll just have to wait and see for yourself.”

My heart pounds like a locomotive, and for a second, I worry I might pass out. What a delicious proposal.

Another jostle from an eager drinker wrenches us from our lust infused haze, and I let loose with a laugh. An honest to God, genuine laugh. “Figures someone would break the mood as the conversation got interesting.”

Keegan leans back against the bar, a smile splitting his gorgeous face. “Now see? That right there made tonight worth it. Your laugh is the most amazing sound.”

My thoughts drift back over the years to when Charlie uttered almost the exact same words. But, for once, my heart isn’t heavy when I think of him. Rather, I know he’d be thrilled to hear me laugh again.

All thanks to the handsome doctor by my side. I’m going tohave to thank Shawn for dragging me out of the house. Seeing Keegan again is the highlight of my week.

“Keegey,” a high-pitched voice whines over my shoulder, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

My high from our flirtatious exchange deflates at the woman’s words. I know, without turning, who’s behind me.

Keegan’s date. His not-girlfriend girlfriend. The woman who will warm his sheets later tonight, and if memory serves, looks like an exotic version of Barbie. Except with bigger tits.

Did you really think a man like Dr. Russo would attend a function alone?

“You found me,” Keegan replies, downing the remaining liquid in his glass. “Callista, this is my friend, Megan.”

Swallowing against the lump in my throat, I turn, my gaze inadvertently homing in on her breasts. It’s accidental, I swear, though the low cut of her dress suggests she’s hedging her bets on every ogle.

Fuck, but she’s even prettier in person—all smooth skin and shiny hair. Not a wrinkle or enlarged pore in sight.

I hate her immediately. Yes, she might be an angel, but I don’t care. I hate her.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Tearing my gaze from Megan’s personal fun bags, I extend my hand, which she grips with the strength of a toddler. “That’s a beautiful dress.”

“Thank you,” she coos, batting her false lashes in Keegan’s direction. “See? Your friend likes my dress.”

“So do I, but it’s a bit … revealing for a medical dinner.”

She wraps her hand around Keegan’s elbow. “Not for later, though.”

Keegan rolls his eyes as a muscle jumps in his jaw, clearly less than thrilled by Megan’s remark.

But I read the woman loud and clear. Back away from her man. Immediately.

It's a smart idea, yet also terrible and awful in equal measure.

I fidget, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. Time to make my escape. “I’d better go find Shawn.”

“You don’t have to leave,” Keegan replies, his gaze locked on me.

But I do, because this is painful. Physically painful.

Time to slip on my cheeky persona. “Come on, what kind of bodyguard would I be if I left him alone all evening?”

Megan gasps as her gaze looks me up and down. “You’re a bodyguard? But you’re so small. Do you know karate or something?”

Dear God, the village really is missing their idiot.

Choking back a laugh, I swallow hard, noting that Keegan is teetering on the same edge as me.

The womanmustbe incredible in the sack because Keegan is far too intelligent to tolerate much conversation with her.

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