Page 54 of Doctor Hot Mess

6:44 PM

The backyard is litwith a soft glow from the underwater pool lights. Ripples of muted blue slivers cast onto the fence and nearby hedges.

The air is still surprisingly warm even though the sun is long gone. It's just cool enough to make the heated water inviting. I’ve set out a small tray of snacks and a couple of cold beers on the patio table. Nothing fancy—pretzels, a few slices of cheese, and crackers—but I imagine Jonah will be hungry after a long day at work and then the gym. Casual. Easy.

As I check the pool temperature one more time, I catch myself smiling. My nerves oddly creep up on me despite my best efforts. I tell myself it’s not a date, just two maybe-more-than-friends hanging out. But the little flutter in my stomach when I hear Jonah’s car pull up says otherwise.

I grab the towel draped over my chair and step toward the gate just as he comes through, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. His smile is easy and familiar, but there’s something in his eyes—a flicker of heat, maybe—that makes my pulse skip.

“You weren’t kidding about the setup,” he says, nodding toward the pool and snacks. “This is pretty swanky for a Monday night.”

I shrug, keeping my tone light. “The Norrises know how to live, and I’m not above taking advantage while they’re gone. Help yourself to a beer.”

“Don’t mind if I do,” he says, dropping his bag and grabbing a bottle. His gaze lingers on me for a moment longer than usual before he cracks it open. “This is the best clinic day wrap-up I’ve ever had.”

I raise an eyebrow, smirking. “Rough day?”

“Not exactly,” he says, leaning against the patio table. “More like... entertaining. I had a patient come in convinced his stomach cramps were because his wife was poisoning him.”

I laugh, unable to stop myself. “Oh no.”

“Right? I mean, the man was dead serious. Said she’s been slipping antifreeze into his sweet tea for months.”

“And was she?” I ask, unable to hide my curiosity.

Jonah shakes his head, grinning. “Nope. Turns out he’s just severely constipated and refuses to drink water. The nurse told him to start hydrating or risk keeling over, and I swear he looked disappointed she didn’t prescribe divorce papers.”

I snort, shaking my head. “That sounds exactly like something that would happen in clinic. Please tell me you didn’t laugh in his face.”

“Not even a chuckle,” Jonah says, holding up three fingers. “But, it is a lot of work to keep a straight face and say, 'Mr. Billings, no one is trying to poison you. You're just full of shit.'”

The banter comes easy, the kind of rhythm we’ve always had, but there’s an undercurrent now, something more significant. I feel it in the way his eyes track my movements, in the way my skin prickles under his gaze.

When we finally get into the pool, the water is as warm as promised, a perfect contrast to the cool evening air. Jonah dives in first, surfacing with a shake of his head that sends water droplets flying everywhere. He’s grinning like a kid, the playful energy infectious.

“Come on, Gray. You’re not afraid of a little water, are you?”

“Not remotely,” I say, sliding in. The heat wraps around me instantly, and I can’t help but sigh at how good it feels.

We splash, trade barbs, and let the conversation ebb and flow with the water. But it doesn’t take long for the teasing to shift to something more sultry.

Jonah drifts closer. His movements are slower, and his eyes hold me slightly longer than they did before. There is a palpable shift in my chest, and my pulse ticks faster as the space between us disappears.

The warmth of his skin on mine in the water does something to me that makes my body practically vibrate with excitement.

“You’re staring,” I say, keeping my voice steady even as my heart is fluttering in full gear.

“I’m appreciating,” he counters in a low voice. “Is that a crime?”

“Depends on the context,” I reply, a smirk playing on my lips. “And the intent.”

His grin softens into something more serious, more focused. “Harper,” he says, his voice barely above a murmur. “You make me a crazy man.”

I tilt my head, the playful edge fading. “Don't even think about blaming that on me,” I say with a laugh as he pulls me tight against his delicious body.

His gaze drops to my lips, and for a moment, the world narrows to just us, the water rippling softly around us, the air charged with anticipation.

My breath catches as I press my middle into his, wanting to feel him as close as I can get.

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