Page 98 of Dr. Off Limits

“Here,” she said, throwing the money on Gerry’s desk. “Congratulations.”

I got the impression her good wishes weren’t directed at us.

“Thank you, Wanda,” Gerry said, passing Sutton and Wanda a glass of the fizzy brown liquid he’d poured. “I told her I can read all the doctors I’ve ever had under my supervision like a book. I could tell the first time I mentioned Sutton to you that we’d end up here today.”

“Standing in a cupboard drinking warm ginger beer?” Wanda asked.

Gerry ignored her and raised his glass. “To a wonderful union. May you both have a marriage that lasts as long as this hospital stands.”

I slipped my free hand into Sutton’s as we sipped on our drinks. The look on her face told me she hadn’t figured out what was going on.

“Thank you,” Sutton said. “We thought we’d been discreet.”

“You were,” Wanda said. “I never heard the slightest word—apart from this one.” She nodded at Gerry. “But you know how he’s always matchmaking.” Wanda turned to Sutton. “Yes, he’s a Cove, but that doesn’t mean your career has to take a back seat to his. You’re clever and capable. All you lack is a little confidence.”

Sutton squeezed my hand as if to say Can you believe she’s saying this stuff to me? “Thanks, Wanda.”

Wanda took a mouthful of ginger beer and winced. “That’s disgusting, Gerry. And if you don’t mind, I’m going to excuse myself. It’s the end of my shift and I’m going home to have dinner with my husband.”

“Husband?” Gerry exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were married.”

Wanda winked at Gerry. “You might know a lot of things, my friend. But you don’t know everything.” She excused herself and left, leaving behind a stumped-looking Gerry.

“I must have them over for dinner,” he mumbled to himself.

“We should leave you to arrange that,” I said.

“Yes, and don’t think I’ve forgotten about you two, either. Margo’s been dying to meet you, Sutton, since I told her about you and Jacob.”

“Thank you for understanding,” Sutton said.

“Understanding? I’m delighted. Now off with you two. I’m going to fill Margo in.”

I ushered us out of the office and shut the door behind us.

“Well that didn’t go as I expected,” Sutton said.

I chuckled. “You probably expected Gerry to morph into a fire-breathing dragon, so no wonder it wasn’t as bad.”

“Just got to find Veronica and tell her, and then I’m going home. Parker is coming over and we’re going to day drink.”

“Good to know,” I said. “I’ll look forward to seeing you both sprawled on the sofa later.”

She grinned and I wanted to pull her toward me and kiss her, but we’d agreed to keep things strictly professional at the hospital.

“What are you doing here?” Veronica appeared from out of nowhere and glanced between Sutton and me.

“Actually, I was looking for you,” Sutton said. “Free for a coffee?”

“Yeah, I’m just heading to lunch and—what’s that on your left hand?” She glanced at Sutton’s ring finger.

“See you at home,” I said to Sutton. Veronica started to squeal.

“You have to tell me everything,” I heard Veronica whisper as I peeled off and headed back to my office. It was clear that telling Veronica wasn’t going to lead to any awkward or difficult conversations for my fiancée. Sooner or later, she’d learn that our life together could be smooth sailing.

The next day

Sutton

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