Page 18 of New River Gorge(ous)
He stops just a foot away from the door and meets my eyes with his own chocolate ones. “It’s just Beck.”
“Ok. Thanks, Dr. Beck.”
He grimaces. “No, I mean, just call me Beck, please.”
“Ok. Beck.”
I gesture for him to walk through the door. I’m ready to take a shower and a nap, but as he steps under the doorway, he stops and turns back to me. His hands clench into fists at his sides, and he doesn’t meet my eyes. Instead, he chooses to look at my fuzzy slippers.
“Can-I-take-you-out?” he mumbles.
I gape at him, not computing his words. “Did you just ask me on a date?” Meemaw’s chuckle in the background fuels my ire. “Because my meemaw said so? I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I’m not a charity case.”
He turns beet red and shakes his head before dashing out the door, passing his truck, and running up the driveway to his house.
Meemaw calls my name. “Brooke, that man doesn’t know what to do with himself and you.”
I frown. “Just like everyone else.”
“Now that’s not true, Brookie. I know a thing or two. He’ll come around. And you two will be good together. Just give him a chance.”
“Why would I give him a chance, Meemaw? And why on earth would you tell him to ask me out?”
“Because giving good people chances is the right thing to do. I know I raised your momma to teach you that, and I know you know that.”
“No, why wouldwebe good together? I don’t even know him.”
“Sometimes, us old folk have hunches, and it’s best not to resist them.”
I shake my head at Meemaw. “Are you comfortable?”
She nods in response and flips onIs it Cake?on the smart TV I upgraded her to the first week I was here.
I set my hands on my hips and look down at her on the couch. “No more baking. Got it? I’m going to shower and take a nap.”
Meemaw yawns and settles back against the couch cushions, and though I thought walking away would make the tension dissipate, I’m disappointed that thoughts of Dr. Beckett Whistler follow after me.
10
Dr. Beckett
Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.
I can’t believe I did that. My face burns, my skin itches, my heart beats too fast, and my blood roars in my ears.
I’ll blame it on the fact that Brooke and June showed up unexpectedly at the E.R. tonight and that I had to drive them home. It unlocked something I buried years ago, when Addie walked out of my life and left me hanging in the balance.
Women surprising me is not a good thing. I don’t like it. I can’t really blame Brooke for coming to the E.R. with June either, so my hands are tied. She’snotafter me in the way many women are when they find out I’m a doctor. She’s also notnotinterested, if the looks she’s given me when she thought I didn’t notice mean anything.
And, finding out that she’s single, that the man who didn’t kiss her in the driveway wasn’t her loser boyfriend, but hertwin brother, I’m … well, yeah. I’m just flummoxed.
I run my fingers through my short hair, wishing for coffee and hours of sleep before I have to head back to the hospital.
I kick off my shoes and flop onto my bed. I don’t even bother closing the shades. I’m exhausted, and thinking about Addie fries my nerves in ways that nothing else can.
Hours later, I’m jerked away when my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Logan.
Logan
