Page 150 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

She looked a little embarrassed when she stepped back.“I’m not much of a hugger, but I’m glad you’re okay.”She shrugged.“And now that you’ve put this Gavin business behind you, are you going to come over to our place to start your riding lessons soon?”

They both looked when Brody spoke behind her.“Hey, Laney-Lou.Why are you going to go dragging Miss Shelley over to your place when she can learn to ride here?It’d make more sense, don’t you think—if she learns on the horses that live here.”

Laney scowled at him.“Are you saying that you want to teach her?Because I …”

He held his hands up defensively.“Cool it.Damn girl, you never did get a handle on that temper, did you?I’m saying that you should teach Miss Shelley to ride—but here, not at your place.”

“Oh!Right.Yeah.I’m not going to apologize though.”

Her fiancé Luke appeared at her side and laughed as he said, “As if Brody expects you to!”

Laney grinned at Shelley.“In case you were worried, we’ve known each other all our lives.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”She didn’t want to explain that for a moment there she’d been concerned by just how familiar Laney and Brody seemed.

Laney laughed.“Oh my god, no—you think that he and I?”She shuddered.“Nope.He’s my buddy.Luke’s the only guy for me.And besides …” She scanned the crowd and smiled.“Brody only has eyes for –” She stopped abruptly.“Shit!Sorry, I’m not supposed to tell, am I?”

Brody smiled.“You’re not, no, but it’s okay because Miss Shelley knows.”

“About Brooke?”Shelley asked.

“Yeah, but do me a favor and don’t say it out loud when …”

Trip appeared beside Shelley and slid his arm around her shoulders.“What’s going on here?You guys look kind of shifty—going to let me in on the secret?”

Brody looked so conflicted that Shelley felt bad for him.She turned and pressed a kiss to Trip’s lips.“Nope.You know that deal we have about secrets?Well, this is one of those times when I’m not going to share.”

She could feel Laney, Luke and Brody all watching them as they waited for Trip’s answer.

He just lifted a shoulder and said, “Fair enough.”

Laney leaned against Luke and said, “I hope we’re like them if we ever grow up.”

Brody made his excuses and slipped away, and Laney and Luke drifted away, too.

“Are you enjoying this?”Shelley asked Trip.

He pressed a kiss to her temple.“Best day of my life so far.”

“Aww, there you go, sweet talking again.”

He chuckled.“Believe what you want, but I know I’m telling the truth.”

She stopped to think about it for a moment before she nodded.“You know what?I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have said that—shouldn’t have assumed you were just being sweet, because it’s true for me too—this is the best day of my life so far.”

He dropped a kiss on her lips and murmured, “And this is just the beginning, honey.”

They stood side by side for a long few minutes, just watching their friends mill around, chatting and laughing, checking in with each other and teasing each other.

Shelley frowned when she saw Emmett standing by himself looking uncomfortable.

“Do you think he’s okay?”

“I don’t know,” Trip replied.

She looked down, surprised to hear Alana laughing beside her.

“What’s so funny?”she asked.“Is your dad okay?”

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