Page 14 of Dirty Doctor
“Oh my god,” she whispers, looking over my shoulder. “He’s such a fox. But really, things aren’t that serious with Will. Your brother, though? He’s the marrying type—”
I hold a hand up. “Do not finish that sentence,” I mumble, keeping my voice low. “He’s not available,” I add quickly.
“Is it serious?” she whines. “Because, like, I could tap that.”
Why does this bother me so much? Why do I care if my best friend likes my stepbrother?
I start to feel panicked as I shake my hands out and flail my mouth to form a response. Bella snorts.
“I’m kidding, by the way,” she deadpans. “I really like Will, and I wouldn’t jeopardize that, even if your bro is gorgeous.” Giving me a conspiratorial smile, she cocks her head. “But have you ever asked yourself why he makes you all hot and bothered like this?” She winks and walks away, and I could kill her.
I follow her into the kitchen.
“What can I help with?” Bella asks Luke, flitting around the kitchen like she owns the place—grabbing three wine glasses and some red wine from the wine rack.
“Just relax,” he says, chopping bell peppers. My mouth waters, and I realize it’s been hours since I’ve eaten. “This needs to cook for an hour or so.” His lips twist to the side when he sees her walk over with the glasses and wine. “Sure, help yourself.”
She quirks an eyebrow, but before she can reply with something full of sass, I turn to face Luke.
“Wait, what about your shift at the hospital?”
Luke smiles and takes a glass from Bella. “Doctor Jones is covering for me, remember?”
I narrow my eyes. “Isn’t that, like, unsafe or whatever? Working overtime as a doctor?”
“No. He’s able to rest in his suite, and there’s another doctor coming on in an hour.” His eyes darken a bit as he looks at me. “He owes me one.”
That he does.
Bella pours us all a glass of red wine, and we all clink glasses.
“You just got out of the hospital. I probably shouldn’t allow you to drink,” he says, his voice low as he leans against the countertop.
I take a sip. “Allow me?”
Bella laughs. “Langley is the most stubborn person you’ll ever meet,” she declares, taking a large gulp. “So, good luck ordering her around like that.”
Luke looks at me and there’s amusement dancing in his eyes. It makes me smile.
“Oh, I know,” he answers, his voice low. “I grew up with her.”
“What wasthatlike?” Bella asks, popping a raw bell pepper into her mouth.
Luke’s lips pull upward as he looks down at his wine. “It was… interesting.” He takes a sip of his wine.
“You’re avoiding the question,” I accuse, taking a large gulp of wine to quell my nerves.
We all move to the living room, and Bella puts a hand on my leg. “I can only imagine how argumentative she was,” she adds, winking at me.
“It was infuriating,” Luke answers, nodding.
“Hey!” I glare at him, but I can’t help my smile. I look at Bella. “We hated each other. We were always competing—”
“And Langley always came out on top,” Luke interrupts.
Something warm swirls inside of me at his words. “Yes, well, I think you becoming adoctor—”
“Have you seen her design work?” Luke asks Bella, finishing his glass of wine and setting it on the coffee table separating us.
