Page 10 of The Naughty One
“Just when I move back to Seattle, she moves out,” Romy grinned. “I might take itpersonally.”
“Then you’ll have to make the most of me while I’m here. Like tonight … I could stay over at your place?” Juno looked hopeful, and Romy had to work to keep the disappointment out of herface.
“Of course, Boo.” She shot an apologetic look at Blue who winked at her and mouthed ‘don’t worry’ at her. “But,” Romy added, thinking quickly, “I have to be out early tomorrow for a training seminar. All day, I’mafraid.”
“Yes, she does,” Blue caught on, trying not to smile. “I’m leading that seminar, and I’m very strict about time. One of my things, I’m afraid,punctuality.”
“Heis.”
Juno shrugged, surprisingly clueless. Usually she picked up on these things with a terrifying radar. “What’s the trainingabout?”
“Orthopedics,” Blue said smoothly, “mostly about the recovery time of someone’s gait after strenuousexercise.”
Romy snorted her coffee from her nose and was embarrassed, wiping her nose. “Sorry, went down the wrongway.”
“That’s not like you,” Blue said innocently, and Romy had to hide her laughter in her tissue. Juno still didn’t notice anything, already making inroads on Romy’s carrot cake, which she’d left alone. Romy, trying to stop her giggles, cleared herthroat.
“So, yeah, if you don’t mind being left alone in theapartment.”
“Of course not.” Junoshrugged.
Blue’s eyes were twinkling. “Don’t forget we also have that patient we might need to check in on overnight too. I’ll page you if I needyou.”
“Please do,” Romy was enjoying their little game, “I’d like to make sure the patient is, um, responding tostimulus.”
It was Blue’s turn to hide his laughter now. “Do excuse me, I have to use thebathroom.”
When they were alone, Juno turned to Romy. “Well, he’s gorgeous and sweet and cute. How do you concentrate on work with a man like thataround?”
“A man who will soon be our brother,” Romy reminded her, cringing inwardly. She hated lying to Juno, who was so trusting that she would believe anything Romy told her. “Also, he’s myboss.”
“Ha, flirty boss.” But Juno didn’t push it. She gave up on the carrot cake, licking cream cheese frosting from her fingers. “Look, maybe I will go home tonight. Seems like you’re preoccupied with work anyway. But we must, must, must have a sisters’ night before I leave for NewOrleans.”
“Are you going before Christmas?” For some reason, Romy was confused about the timeline. Had Juno told her and she’d justforgotten?
“Only for a couple of weeks, just so Livia can get me trained before she gives birth. Can you believe she’s having ababy?”
“I’m just glad she’s well enough to.” Their friend Livia had been stabbed and shot by a psychopath the year before and had barely survived. “Give her and Nox my love, won’tyou?”
“Speaking of gorgeous men.” Juno muttered, then grinned as Blue returned. “It was so good to meet you, bro, but I think I’m going to head back home, leave you your second-in-command.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Faintly surprised, Blue smiled and returned the embrace. “You’re coming to Thanksgiving,right?”
Blue nodded. “Just try and stop me. I’m a sucker for over-boiledsprouts.”
Laughing, Juno kissed Romy’s cheek and then loped out, garnering the appreciative looks of a table of young men as she walked out of the coffeehouse.
Blue grinned at Romy. “So … you’re free, after all?” He sat down next to her and slid his hand along her thigh. Romy wiggled withpleasure.
“Dr.Allende?”
“Yes, Dr.Sasse?”
“I believe you prescribed me some bone-shattering sex earlier … how about you fill myprescription?”
Blue laughed. “That was the worst doctor dirty talk I’ve ever heard … but yes, I need to do thatimmediately…”
Gaius Eames tappedon his father’s office door, not waiting for a reply before he opened it. “Hey,Pa.”
Stuart looked up over from his computer, annoyed. “Gaius, why bother to knock if you’re just going to come inanyway?”
