Page 127 of Doctorshipped
“Doctor-y things?”
“Whatever you do. Or, you know, you could garden. Or sit and rub my feet while I write.”
“I like option C.”
“Me too. I’m a huge fan of option C. But I do have to write, so it can’t lead to all sorts of kissing.”
“I would think all sorts of kissing would be inspiration for your novels.”
“Oh, it is, believe me. But I do actually have to spend time writing about that inspiration. My books don’t just write themselves.”
We walk toward Aiden’s home, my hand finds Jayme’s and our fingers intertwine.
“Are you nervous to go inside and hang out with everyone?” Jayme asks.
“I was, but as soon as I saw you, I didn’t care what your friends thought of me, or us.”
“They’re very much in favor of you—and us.”
“That’s fine.”
“It’s more than fine, you grump. It’s good.”
“If you say it’s good. It’s good.”
“I get the say? So much power,” Jayme teases. Then she adds this adorable evil laugh, “Mwahahahaha.”
I grin down at her, and the front door swings open.
“They’re here!” Duke announces. We step past him. He leans close to me and whispers, “Good goin’, Doc. James is the best.”
I nod. I’d like to tell you that was the most awkward moment of the night. Not by a long shot.
The group is gathered in the kitchen, chatting and mingling with one another. A silence descends over the room when Jayme and I enter, still holding hands.
“Carry on!” she shouts. “Nothing to see here, folks.”
“Um, agree to disagree,” Shannon says. “For example—hand holding.”
I think Jayme’s going to react with embarrassment, drop my hand, and flush her usual blush. Instead she holds our enjoined hands up into the air like we just finished a race together.
“Get a good look! Or, even better, get your phones out. Snap a few pics. I’ve earned the razzing.”
I grin down at her, the way she always rises above, surprising me with her innate joy. I never realized how much I needed this kind of counterbalance.The yin to my yang.
Laura actually takes her phone out and says, “Say cheese!” so we do.
The rest of the evening consists of sporadic inquisition: How did we know we were falling for one another? How is Fiona doing with everything? What do I love most about Jayme? (Yes. Shannon used the wordlove, and I didn’t correct her.)
Jayme and I drift apart at times, but then we share secret looks from across the room. We never go too long without making our way back to one another, finding a way to touch and look into one another’s eyes. By the end of the evening, I’m feeling like I crossed some invisible line. I’m not only the guy Jayme’s dating. I’m a part of something I’ve never had before.
Jayme’s sitting on my lap. No one but me seems fazed by the fact. It’s not that we stand out, all the couples sit comfortably paired together. Jayme leans in and runs the hand of the arm that’s wrapped behind me through my hair. Discussion around the room alternates between interesting topics and town gossip. I’m getting to know this tight-knit friend group at a new level.
Shannon sends Jayme a look. Then she eyes Laura, Lexi, and Em. In an instant, Jayme’s standing, saying she'll be right back, and all five women exit as if it were written in a script.
“They’re going to talk about you,” Duke informs me.
“Really?”
