Page 19 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“It didn’t happen,” he said, taking another sip. “Thankfully.”

“I like a man that can cook,” she said. “Maybe we should have dinner together. You know, cook it that way.”

It was not the first time she’d hinted at it, but she was getting bolder.

His phone rang.

“Sorry,” he said. “Excuse me.”

He got up and moved to the glass door and felt her eyes on his back. He was feeling uncomfortable in his loose-fitting sweats and hoped nothing was showing. He never wore sweats around people.

When he saw his sister calling, he let out a breath.

“What’s going on?” Gabriela asked. “It sounded urgent.”

“Can you give me the patient’s name and details please?” he said, looking out at Vanessa watching him on the deck.

Gabriela laughed. “Seriously, Garrett. I’m bailing you out of a bad date. That’s wrong.”

“I understand. Can you hang on for a second?” He put the phone down to his chest. “I’m sorry. I need to deal with this now.”

“Not a problem,” Vanessa said, standing up and walking off his deck slowly. She had tight black leggings on and a fitted white shirt. Not sure why he hadn’t noticed that before, but she was showing off what good money had bought her, not even caring it was cold out giving her skin some added stiffness.

Once Vanessa was gone, he shut his glass door and flipped the light off. “Jesus, I owe you.”

“You’re damn right you do,” Gabriela said. “Where are you?”

“Home.”

His sister burst out laughing. “Was that your crazy neighbor again?”

“Right on the first try. I swear I can’t even have a beer in peace when I want it.”

“Sorry about that,” his sister said. “Maybe put a fence up.”

“I’m thinking about it. Not sure I can get it high enough though and she’ll still see me if she’s on her deck.”

“The hard life of being wanted by the opposite sex,” Gabriela said. “So many men would feel sorry for you.”

“Very funny,” he said. “You don’t understand.”

“I do,” Gabriela said. “Do you think you’re the only one that has the opposite sex hitting on you nonstop and you’ve got to wonder if it’s you they want or an in with the family name?”

He frowned. He knew his sister would understand. “Who is bothering you? I’ll take care of it.”

His sister laughed. “No one right now. And I don’t need my big brother to take care of me. It was during my residency. Now I only see dads with their kids and most of the time it's both parents. I’m not sure who is a single father or not and don’t ask or care. Not to say some douches haven’t flirted in front of their kids, but I shut it down pretty fast.”

“Good to know,” he said.

“How is everything else going since I’ve got you on the phone?” Gabriela asked. “Mom said they might visit for the weekend.”

“Are they trying to get you to come over too?” he asked. He wouldn’t mind seeing his sister.

“I’m here now,” Gabriela said.

“What?” he asked.

“I’m here for the week filling in. So I’ll just stay until Sunday rather than leave on Friday after work like I was planning.”

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