Page 30 of Scotch on the Rocks

Resisting the urge to curse, I drew up Jill’s extensive file on my computer. “Send them through.”

I was draping my stethoscope around my neck when the polished blonde I’d attended school with strolled in like she was walking a red carpet. A floaty, floral skirt, a touch too summery for the cold snap we were having, curled about her calves.

“Callum.” She grinned from ear to ear, the lead to a beautiful King Charles Spaniel clasped loosely in one hand. “We need to stop meeting like this.”

“Ms Mortimer.” I offered the best smile I could muster and crouched to greet the dog I’d examined no less than ten times this year alone. “How are you doing, lovely?” The words were obviously aimed at Coco, yet Jill fanned her face with feigned delight.

“My, my, Callum, you were always a charmer. I think my girls are as fond of you as I am.Almost.” She added the last bit with a wink I pretended not to notice.

“I doubt that’s true, Ms Mortimer.” I stood just as her hand clasped my bare forearm, long red nails curling against the skin until the tips bit in. Something about thoselong red nails always made my stomach twist. Or perhaps it wasn’t the nails, ratherthe owner.Because whenever I saw Juniper’s neatly manicured nails – always tipped in black – I imagined them buried in my back. She could grow talons and I’d be into it. I had nicknamed her harpy, after all.

“Callum, how many times have I told you to call me Jill?” Her nails dug in a little more before releasing, dragging over my wrist in a move undoubtedly meant to be seductive. “We are oldfriends, after all.” Never had my sixteen-year-old self expected a single drunken kiss at a high school beach party to come back and bite me in the arse quite as often as that one did.

Trying to get this over with, I nodded to Coco. “What seems to be the wee one’s problem?”

“Oh … Coco,of course. Her back leg is bothering her.”

She’d trotted in just fine, but dogs could be sneaky about hiding their pain. “Let’s get her on the table and take a look.” I scooped her up before Jill could. Starting at her back legs, I gently smoothed my hands over her fur, looking for any sign of discomfort. “Has she been eating as normal?”

“Yes. Just like her mum, she loves her food.” Jill’s laugh was just this side of self-deprecating as she traced her palms over her curved hips.

Bloody hell.

I cleared my throat. “Any pain during urination?”

“None.”

“That’s good.” I reached the dog’s front, checking inside her ears and eyes just for good measure. Coco licked my arm as I worked, completely at ease.

“I can’t see any obvious problems,” I said at last, drawing back to rinse my hands. “It could be a slight muscle strain but that’s nothing to worry about unless it persists.”

“Hmm.” Jill worried her lower lip between her teeth.“Do you think I should make a follow-up appointment for next week?”

“That won’t be necessary, but you can always phone in if you’re worried.”

Her smile brightened and I inwardly winced at my fuck-up.

“What would I do without you, Callum? You have such a big heart.”Right. Turning to thecomputer, I gave her my back and input a few details in Coco’s file. “You should let me take you to dinner, to properly thank you.” My fingers stalled on the keys. “Just as friends,obviously.I’m not ready for anything more after my divorce.”

Jill and her ex had officially split six months back and she’d been a constant thorn in my side ever since. I felt like an arse to even think it, but I knew, despite her words, Jill would be in my bed in a heartbeat if I wanted it.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have a lot going on right now.” The reply felt shitty. I might as well have said,It’s not me it’s you.I should have shut her down harder the last time she asked, but I’d felt guilty. Too worried about hurting a lonely woman.

“Oh.” She deflated like a day-old balloon. “Perhaps in a few weeks? Remember you offered to help clear out my gutters?”

With a start I realised Ihadoffered that. Heat rose in my cheeks, the desire to please almost forcing a vague,Yeah, maybe, past my lips. I needed to be honest before I hurt her. Shut her down in a way she couldn’t misconstrue. “Jill, I’m sorry—”Fuck. “But I’m not interested in you …like that. I can still help with the gutters but that’s all it will be.” Her entire face shuttered, lips pinching, and I knew I’d made a mess of it.God, I was going to hell.“Let me see you out.”

* * *

My phone rang in my hand as I trudged the short slice of land between my place and Ivy House. Booted feet thudding on the sturdy, moss-covered planks that bridged the burn between the properties, the bank fringed by lush ferns and pine needles.

Mum. My stomach sank and, for a terrible, selfish second, I considered not answering.

“Hey,” I pinched the bridge of my nose as I picked up. “Everything all right over there?” I hadn’t even been home yet. It was after eight p.m. and I’d rolled out of bed at the arse crack of dawn to get to Murray’s.

I needed to get out of these scrubs and shower off the clinging scent of wet dog. I needed to eat. Needed to sleep. I needed …

“Hi, love.” Her voice wavered on the other end. “Everything’s fine, just checking if you know where that Jimi Hendrix record your father loves has gotten to?”

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