Page 47 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Shelley stared at him blankly.Her mind was still fuzzy, and it was taking her a moment to process what he was saying.

When she finally understood, she sat up straight.

“I can be ready in a minute.It won’t take me long.”

He gave her a puzzled smile.“It’s okay.Like I said, you don’t need to yet.”

“But I…”

He raised his eyebrows.“You don’t want to stay here by yourself?Is that what you’re saying?”

She shook her head slowly.“No, I don’t mind if you don’t.”

She realized her brain was working so slowly not only because she’d just woken up—but also because she may have had a glass of wine too many last night—maybe two too many.

Trip leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.

“You take your time and wake up.I’ll run down and make coffee and bring one to you before I jump in the shower.”

“No way.No, you don’t need to do that.How about I go and make coffee while you’re in the shower?That makes more sense.You need to get to the hospital if you’re going to check in on folks there and still make it to the clinic on time.”

They stared at each other for a moment.Shelley relaxed when she saw his expression gentle.

“I do need to get a move on.”

“Exactly,” she replied with a smile.“So go get your ass in the shower, and I’ll run downstairs and get the coffee started.”

She was taking a sip of much-needed caffeine when Trip came into the kitchen.She was about to comment on how quick he’d been, but the words died on her lips when she saw the way he was smiling at her.

“What?”she asked, feeling a little self-conscious.“Do I look like the living dead?I will admit that I had more wine than I needed last night.Don’t worry, a shower and some makeup will have me looking like normal before I get to work.”

He came to her and rested his hands on her hips.“You look fine—more than fine.You look beautiful.I’ve never seen you look anything but beautiful.”

His words made her feel as though her heart melted in her chest.“Thanks,” she mumbled before looking up into his eyes.“But what were you smirking about?”

He kissed the tip of her nose.“If you must know, I was smiling—not smirking, smiling—at the sight of you in my pajamas.”

“Oh!”She looked down at herself.“Sorry, I didn’t even think.I… I…”

“Don’t apologize.I was smiling because I like seeing you wear them.I was thinking that I could get used to mornings like this.”

All her breath caught in her chest as she stared at him.She didn’t know what to say.His smile slowly faded, and he opened his mouth but didn’t get the chance to speak before the sound of his phone ringing cut him off.

“Saved by the bell, huh?”He turned away from her and picked up his phone from the counter.“What’s up, Dawn?”

Shelley exhaled slowly.She really needed to pull herself together and get her brain functioning normally.She couldn’t decide what he’d meant about getting used to mornings like this.Did he mean seeing her in his PJs?Having her make the coffee?Or waking up together—starting their day together?

He ended his call abruptly.Dawn was one of the nurses at the hospital, and her call must have been urgent.

Trip came and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.“I have to run.”

“No problem.I’ll open up the clinic and hold down the fort.”

“Thanks, honey.I’ll call you as soon as I know how long I’ll be.Hopefully, I’ll get there on time, but I’ll let you know if I’m going to be delayed, and we need to start rearranging appointments at the clinic.”

“Whatever you need, I’ll handle it.”

He met her gaze and held it, nodding as he said, “I know.Thanks.”

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