Page 44 of Doc Showmance
“They can’t force you out over this bullshit. Plus, any other clinic would take you in a heartbeat.”
“Sure they would, but would a residency program let me finish the last year only?” I chewed my lip.
He shrugged. “Don’t know. You could’ve reached out to other programs.”
“Then we’d all have to move. My siblings rely on me to pay for the house and take care of the bills. They’re all in school…”
My phone rang on the counter. A glance at the number showed it was Susan calling. She never called unless there was something wrong with one of her pets or her son’s cat. I grabbed it. “Hello?”
“Good Lordy, Amber.” Susan always called me that out of the office. In the office she kept it to Dr. Hardin to keep professional for the camera. “I’ve had six people already text me since the episode aired. They ask me because we’re usually working together. Are you and Dr. Todd… What the heck’s going on? I don’t remember anything happening like that when I was around.”
I covered my face with a hand.It’s for the show.The words were on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to come clean. We were friends. I trusted her with so many things, but I’d signed the contract. Mouth stayed shut. “It’s complicated.”
“I’ve watched you around him. Your hackles go up, and you act like you’re about to skewer him. Maybe you don’t actually hate him?”
Shit.
I didn’t want any of this.
“Is it going to be bad at work?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Thinking the gossip mill will go into overtime. Look, he’s a good-looking young man and kind to clients, but I don’t get the vibe he’s staying around for long. You be careful.”
“Thanks.”
“Also, I’m thinking the boss man is going to see that. It’s great for show business, but I know you sat through that never-ending staff meeting about intra-office romance as a no-no. See you Monday.” Susan hung up.
“That someone from work?” Ian asked.
I nodded. “Not going to be pretty on Monday.”
“If you want to give Marianna the middle finger and walk, do it. I say run so you can avoid Thanksgiving at my parents’ place.”
Forgetting to whisper, I said, “I forgot to tell these guys I won’t be here.”
“Won’t be here when?” Bruno asked.
I flinched when I discovered him a few feet away.
“The show—”
Ian cleared his throat.
I glanced at the ceiling as if the white paint was going to have answers. “I’m going to Ian’s parents’ place for Thanksgiving.”
“You’re what?” Bruno choked on his carrot. He grabbed a beer from the ice chest on the floor to chug a few sips. “To his parents’ place?”
Ian wrapped an arm around my waist. “That’s right. She’s coming home with me.”
I stiffened against his hard body that dwarfed mine. His heat leached through our clothes to warm me. Gracious, he smelled good. The smell of fresh and clean made me want to burrow in and sniff more.
Which was nuts.
Bruno glanced between the two of us. His eyes narrowed.
He wasn’t buying it.
Bruno said, “Seems a little premature to be meeting the parents, even more so doing holidays together. Have you two even kissed? A parent meeting is advanced-level relationship shit. She doesn’t usually make it to that point when dating someone. No offense Amber.” He lowered his voice. “You haven’t even slept over. I’m pretty sure I’d have slept over before I’d braved bringing home some girl to meet my family. I’m calling bullshit on this.”
