Page 27 of Tropical Heat

“Not really, if you think about it. We both already knew and accepted she was seeing someone else.”

“But she never told us who. She refused to even discuss it with me,” Dante said. “Why did you do it, Morgan? Was it all some kind of sick game for you? See how long you could bang both of us before we figured it out?”

“Dante,” I snapped. “We both know her better than that. I can't believe you would even suggest such a thing.”

“It’s all right. I don’t blame him for thinking the worst of me right now. But I honestly didn't know until ten minutes ago, when I saw Zak’s name on the electric bill. The only time you were together was when that woman bit your arm.” She paused. “Neither of you seemed to hold the other in high esteem. So why would I think you were friends, let alone living together?”

“And because I didn’t want things to be awkward between you and me, I never brought her to the house,” I said.

“Shit, that makes sense,” Dante agreed. “And we were both so secretive when we talked about you, neither of us referred to you by name. I always called you my Good Girl.”

Morgan blushed. “How about you Zak? What’s your secret name for me?”

“You’ll love this.” Dante chuckled. “He calls you his lady friend.”

“My god, that’s horrible,” Morgan laughed and all the tension left the room. “It sounds like something my eighty-year-old grandfather would call his girlfriend.”

“Then what do you suggest I call you?” I asked.

“Goddess,” Dante said.

“It has a nice ring to it,” Morgan giggled.

“May I give you a hug, Goddess?” I had to admit, the word felt good on my tongue.

Morgan pulled me and Dante into an embrace. “God, I'm going to miss you two. You always know just the right thing to say and do.”

“Then don’t leave. Nothing has to change,” I said. “Keep seeing both of us.”

She looked at Dante, who shrugged and said, “If he's good with it, then so am I.”

“I am not sure it is as simple as the two of you think. There's a lot that we would need to talk about before I would be comfortable agreeing to such an arrangement.”

“Like what?” Dante asked.

“Like how I would feel if things didn't work out, and I ruined your friendship.” Her lower lip quivered as she looked at her watch. “Unfortunately, I don't have time to discuss this. I need to go home and shower so I can be at the hospital by noon. I'm covering for Dr. James until six.”

“Then come back after you get off and we can talk about it over dinner.” I hoped I didn’t sound as desperate as I felt.

“I’m on duty tonight,” Dante said.

“No, you aren’t,” Morgan told him. “I spoke to your lieutenant after you went to bed. As your physician, I explained you are concussed, and he agreed to a forty-eight hour medical leave.”

“Then we'll look for you at 7:00.” I held my breath.

She sighed and looked at Dante. “He’s not going to give up, is he?”

“Nope. Neither of us are.”

“Then I guess I have no choice. I will see you tonight.” She kissed Dante on the lips. It did not make me jealous, at least not in the way I would have expected. After bending down to rub Oliver’s belly, Morgan asked me to walk her out.

“I think he's going to be fine, but keep a close eye on him today.” It was obvious Morgan was not just speaking as a doctor. She cared a great deal for Dante. Reading my mind, she said, “Nothing happened between us last night. Try to keep him calm today with no strenuous activity.”

“I understand the concussion protocol. But maybe you can enlighten me. What the heck happened?” I listened closely as she recounted the jet ski accident and blamed herself for it. But I knew better. Morgan was like me. She was not a risk taker.

“It doesn't sound to me like you were at fault. You're lucky you weren't both killed. If I blame anybody, it's Dante for putting you behind the controls.”

“See. That's exactly the kind of thing I'm worried about. You can’t get mad at each other because of something that happens between me and the other one. I refuse to cause discord in your friendship.” I laughed, and she asked what was so funny.

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