Page 1 of What the Doctor Ordered
CHAPTER 1
Kiley
My feet dragged as I made my way up the steps leading up to my apartment, muscles feeling heavier and heavier with each step. I blew out an exhausted breath and pushed some of my wavy dark red hair behind my ear to get the stubborn strands out of my eyes. When I pushed the door open, I was surprised to find all of the lights on, despite it being nearly midnight.
My roommate, Lily, shot up in her plush computer chair, spinning it so she could pin me with a surprised look. “Kiley! You scared me!” She exclaimed, holding a hand to her chest.
I just shook my head fondly at her, shutting the door and dropping my work bag on the coffee table. I put my hands on my hips. “You say that like you weren’t expecting me.”
Lily giggled, tossing her head back, causing her honey blonde hair to cascade over her shoulders. “I guess I just lost track of time,” she said, before spinning back toward her desk and diving back into whatever she was doing.
I slipped my shoes off and straightened my light blue scrubs before making my way over to her so I could peer over her shoulder. “I’m surprised that you’re still awake,” I admitted. “You’re the one who is always prioritizing your beauty sleep and telling me I should do the same.”
Lily grinned at me, revealing her annoyingly symmetrical dimples. She was a cute girl and probably the textbook definition of feminine beauty. She had long golden hair and large, crystal blue eyes that shimmered whenever she smiled.
I hated her when we met a couple of years earlier when I moved to southern California to start veterinary school. She was clearly a spoiled rich girl who never had to work a day in her life.
I had asked her why she was looking for a roommate when she had enough money to live on her own. My heart went out to her when she shyly admitted that she was afraid to live on her own. She wanted someone in the apartment with her.
I stopped hating her after that, and we had basically been best friends ever since.
“I’m still awake because I need to finish this paper tonight,” she said, still smiling.
I tilted my head at the strange, almost mischievous expression on her face. I furrowed my eyebrows when I remembered something. “Isn’t this paper not due for a couple more days?”
Lily’s grin widened and she snatched her slim pink phone off her matching pink desk and shoved the screen in my face. It took me a moment to register what I was looking at. It was a picture of a man with angular features and light, hazel eyes. He looked like an Italian model.
I raised my eyebrow at her. “What? Is this guy your new celebrity crush or something?”
Lily laughed loudly and shoved me playfully. “No,” she said. “He’s my date tomorrow night!” She squealed and jumped up from her chair, throwing her arms around me.
I was barely able to keep from toppling over as my friend barreled into me. “Congrats,” I said with a light laugh, patting her back. I gently pushed her away from me so I could give her a questioning look. “Who is this guy anyway? Did you meet him in one of your business classes?”
Lily made a face and shook her head. “No way would I date someone from my business classes,” she said, wrinkling her petite nose. “Those guys are all so dull.”
I laughed. “Are you saying that you’re dull too then?” I teased.
Lily winked at me. “I am the one exception,” she said, twirling dramatically before posing. “A unicorn, if you will.” She showed me her phone again. “I joined this online dating app and matched with this guy almost immediately! Isn’t he cute? He owns a bunch of fine dining restaurants! Imagine what kind of meals he could cook for me!”
I tried to school my expression so that Lily couldn’t tell just how amused I was by her thinking.
“Just be safe,” I warned her. “It’s a bit sketchy to meet people online.”
Lily rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Yes, Mom. Honestly, you sound like such an old person, Kiley,” she scoffed. “I promise that these apps are completely safe, and they even have ways of confirming they’re real people.”
Lily pulled me to the couch and started to walk me through the app, going to the date’s profile and showing me all his pictures and links to other sites proving his identity.
It didlooklegitimate, but I wasn’t going to admit it. The whole dating apps thing had always sounded kind of sketchy to me, especially for my best friend who tended to be a little more trusting than she should be. Still, it looked mostly safe, and I wasn’t about to try and stop her from going out and having a good time with some hot guy who cooks.
At least one of us should try and have a little fun, and it apparently wasn’t going to be me.
Lily was watching me intently and I noticed too late that the gears were turning in her mind.
I just stared at her for a long moment before my eyes widened and I started to wave my hands back and forth. “Oh no, Lily,” I said sternly. “Don’t even think about it.”
“When was the last time you went on a date?” she asked me, grinning widely. “I swear you’ve only been on like one date since we’ve known each other, and that’s been years now!”
I felt my face flush scarlet and I did my best not to avert my eyes from her prying gaze. “I’ve been busy,” I told her simply. “I do have to work to afford my tuition, you know. We don’t all have the luxury of only having to focus on our studies.”
