Page 41 of Doc Showmance
I refused to be sucked into this insanity when the thing between Ian and I wasn’t genuine.
I could notlike-like Ian Todd, no matter how incredible he smelled or strong he felt against me. Lord knows this man felt like he had ridges of muscle everywhere.
I leaned away from Ian and dramatically rolled my wrist to look at my watch. “We only have a few minutes until showtime. Everyone inside.”
The moment I waved Ian through the door inside, Joley appeared like a bee drawn to something sweet. She had on her flirtatious face and thrust out her chest—perfectly on display in a tight red sweater. I’d long ago gotten over trying to measure up to Joley in the attractiveness department. She had killer curves and knew how to use them. Joley said to Ian, “Hey, I’m Joley.”
“Ian Todd.” He took her hand, and his charismatic smile was back.
“You must be the new vet, huh?” She did an over-the-top once-over, taking him in from the tip of his tall frame down to his strong legs, draped in jeans. Okay, even I had to admit, this man in jeans was worth a double-check. I mean, his ass alone was…
Stop it.
I refused to lose myself on a mental discourse over Ian’s shapely ass.
“You must be Amber’s sister,” Ian said. His eyes didn’t deviate from her face. Brownie points to him for keeping it above the neckline.
Joley kicked out a hip. Both her tiny waist and boobs were now on display.
Ian glanced to me. “Is she the one you said…”
I smothered a smile. I liked the fact he seemed immune to Joley’s man magic. He remembered my M&M and men comment. Why did I know that’s what he referred to? I nodded.
“Who’s this little guy?” Ian pointed at Pinot.
With crowds like this, the sheltie stuck to me like a second shadow. I knelt a bit to slide my hand through the hair on the dog’s head. “This is Pinot. He doesn’t like many people.”
“Hey, bud.” Ian squatted. “What’s it like to have Amber for a mom? I can understand you being loyal to her. She’ll always take care of you.”
The dog cocked his head and assessed Ian. Then he walked over and sat next to him. Freaking sat next to him to get a pat. The bugger defected?
“He’s sweet. Seems to like me.” Ian grinned. His eyes crinkled, indicating this was a real smile.
“Yeah. Guess so.” Bitterness tinged my tone.
Ian did a full sit on the floor, and damn if the dog didn’t jump in his lap. Pinot actually looked happy. This was the dog that barely let anyone pet him. Ian ran his finger over the embroidered animals on his collar. “Giraffes? You have a thing for them, huh? Had one in your car, too.”
“They’re my favorite African animal. I love the patterns on their coats. There’s something ungainly about them that I relate to.”
“Maybe it’s you wishing to be tall?” He compressed his lips as if about to laugh.
“Don’t be a dillweed. This is my house. I’ll kick your ass out if you don’t behave.”
“The dog likes you, man?” Bruno asked as he walked by with a plate of food.
“He seems to.” Ian grinned up at him.
“That’s weird.” Bruno met my gaze. “He only likes Amber.”
My cheeks scorched. With a throat clear, I announced, “Everyone should find a seat. The show’s about to start. I’ve got to pull some wings out of the oven.”
In my sanctuary of the kitchen, away from the buzzing crowd accumulating in our TV room, I arranged the second pan of wings. I could hear the opening theme of the show. I should go out there, but I didn’t need to see it. I’d lived it. A part of me itched to see everyone’s reaction to my craziness. I glanced through into the TV room.
After messing with the food alignment one final time, I braved being social to watch the show. I arrived in time to see me kick Kovac out of surgery. What did everyone think when they saw this? Perhaps someone saving the day? Perhaps some psychotic vet on a rampage?
I saw the blood in Mac’s body, even if it was only brief on screen. I hugged myself against the sudden chill. I remembered the terror of potentially losing him. I’d been close. There’d been a moment in surgery when his blood pressure tanked and I was sure he wasn’t going to live.
Mac lived. He’s okay.
