Page 13 of Heal Me
“Sorry. I really don’t know what to say that I haven’t said before, but you’ve given her so many chances already.” Ric put a hand over his eyes. “I like that we have each other’s backs.”
Chase cracked up. “Me to. You mean well. Okay, I gotta go shower and get ready for Her Hotness.”
“Shelly?”
“Naw. Shelly got pissed when I asked if Danielle could join us,” Chase replied. “So, it’s a new lovely lady.”
“So you essentially gave Shelly the heave-ho by using your fictitious friend again?”
“Better that they hate me when it’s time to say goodbye. Shelly’s a great girl, but I think she was measuring my windows for curtains, if you know what I mean,” Chase said.
“What are you going to do when you find a woman who says yes when you suggest Danielle coming over?” Ric asked.
Chase’s laugh was infectious. “That’s the girl I’ll marry.” He winked and hit the end button.
Ric laughed as he went back to playing his game and figured out the logistics of his plan.
*****
Kate clicked her way around an accounting spreadsheet, playing with numbers to see where her profits were going to end up for the month of April. Business was good, especially because her staff was following her instructions to push flea control products and healthy pet treats.
When her phone rang, she picked it up and hit the answer button without looking to see who it was. “Hello, Doc. How’s the sexiest veterinarian I know?”
Kate almost dropped the phone in surprise as she recognized his voice. “Ric?”
“Yeah. How are you?”
“I’m, uh, fine, and you?” Kate cursed herself for tripping all over her tongue, but she was shocked to hear from him.
“I’m good. I was wondering if you were free for dinner tonight?”
His voice was a cross between sandpaper and satin and it stirred her nerve endings. If he affected her this way by just talking to her, she could only imagine what it would be like to kiss him, or—
“Kate? You there?”
“Yeah. I’m just surprised to hear from you after the other day,” she said.
“You mean because you kissed me?”
A blush spread over her cheeks even though she couldn’t see him. “Yes.”
Ric’s laugh was warm and inviting. “Are you kidding me? I loved it. There’s no reason to be embarrassed.”
“I just want you to know that I don’t go around kissing men I just met, okay?”
“So it’s just me, huh?”
Kate put a hand to her forehead as she laughed. “Yes. I haven’t done that in so long.”
His voice deepened a note. “I’m glad it’s me, and if you agree to dinner with me, there’ll be a lot more kissing involved.”
Right then, Kate wished he was right there with her because she wanted him to kiss her.What’s the matter with me? I’m acting like a horny teenager!“I’ll agree to dinner, but I’m not sure about the other part.”
“I can live with that. What time is good for you?”
“I’m leaving in about an hour.”
“I’ll meet you at the clinic,” Ric said.
