Page 31 of Doctorshipped
“What about Trevor and Lexi?” Laura asks.
“What about them?” I ask.
“Yeah. What about us?” Lexi echoes.
“Jayme could move in with you two.”
“Three and a half,” Lexi corrects. “I’m four months along and we have Poppy. But that’s a great idea, actually. We have all that space now that we relocated into the old Finch place. It’s still under renovation, but there’s the downstairs bedroom. You’d practically have your own suite. I’m sorry I didn’t think to offer sooner.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“As if. You know Trevor’s the most chill man on the planet. He won’t mind. And Poppy loves you. Think about it. We have plenty of room for the cats and Groucho. Even if you just want to move in while you look for another place, you could.”
“Don’t you need to ask Trevor?”
“I do. But I know my husband. He won’t mind.”
“I don’t know.”
“I’d say you could move in with me and Duke …” Shannon offers.
“No way!” Laura says. “There’s absolutely no way anyone should move in with newlyweds. Trust me.”
We all laugh.
“Right,” Shannon says, blushing.
“I’d offer our place,” Laura says. “But Rob’s not the come-one, come-all type. Besides, he gets in the zone when he’s creating, and the way he can be isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. He’s all up in his head. Things blow up at random times. It’s an acquired taste living with him when he’s in mad-scientist mode.”
“You guys. No one has to offer me a place to live. I’m sure I can find my own spot.”
“But if you don’t have to, why should you?” Lexi offers. “Think about it. If you want me to talk to Trevor, just say the word. We’ll gladly make room for you. Actually, I’m going to ask him unless you stop me. That way you don’t have to work up the courage to ask.”
Voices raise at the front of the restaurant. Duke’s here. Shannon’s fiance always makes his presence known. He’s standing near a table talking in his usually animated way with a few guys that work at his garage. He tips his chin to them and turns. His eyes lock on Shannon’s and he saunters over toward her with a flirty grin on his face.
“I heard we’re planning my wedding,” he says as he pulls a chair out from the table next to ours and flips it backward.
He leans down and kisses Shannon with a kiss that’s more than the average greeting. That man. He’s never been one to care about whether others are looking, or comfortable. I’m used to him having to constantly touch my roommate whenever he sees her, but tonight, watching them makes me want something I won’t ever have, and I never feel that way. These thoughts fly in the face of everything I know I want—everything that’s best for me.
Duke breaks away from Shannon, straddles his chair and says, “So, what’d I miss?”
“Um. This is girls’ night, Duke. Hate to break it to you,” Laura reminds him.
“I can do girls’ night. I’ll just talk in my upper register,” Duke says, making his voice as effeminate as he can.
“Why don’t you go introduce yourself to the new doctor?” Shannon suggests. “I’ll fill you in on the wedding stuff. It would just bore you anyway.”
“Nothing about marrying you bores me,” Duke says with a wink.
The smile on Shannon’s face transforms all the thoughts and feelings I was having only moments ago. I love this for her—for them.
I glance across the room. Grant is studying me. Our eyes meet, and a soft grin creeps across my face. I look away, only to find every eye at the table staring at me with looks I’d rather not see on the faces of my friends.
They’re dead wrong.
I’m absolutely not interested in a doctor—or anyone. I’m not.
11
