Page 53 of House Rules

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"Have a good week, Lucy."I walk my last patient out, grateful that Monday is over. I shut my office door behind me and sink onto the couch. My mind drifts to the past weekend; the events play on repeat, over and over all day long.

His mouth on me... our hot bodies pressed together...

I hurried home early this morning, after we passed out in his bed. It felt like the walk of shame at five am this morning, as I crawled into my own bed for a couple of hours of precious sleep.

I tried catching him around the office today but he was nowhere to be found. Butterflies swirl in my belly at the thought of him only wanting sex.

Don't have sex before the first five dates... shit, we didn't even get past two dates.

It's like a spell, almost as if I'm drugged. Something comes over me and all rational thought is thrown out the window.

My phone rings, breaking my concentration. I peel myself off the couch and fetch my phone off my desk. My stomach sinks when I see the name. Mom.

I drop the phone back on my desk and sigh. She's been calling me all day. If I don't answer her soon, she'll show up here.

I haven't spoken to her or Melissa since I kicked them out of my house. It's hard to get past the spying on me, but even worse, the dating profile they created for me. I threatened to never speak to them again if they didn't take it down.

She's going to act like nothing happened and everything is fine. No apology necessary, according to her. It irks me.

Who knows what else they could be up to behind my back?

My phone rings again. I won't be able to ignore her much longer.

"Hello?"

"Emma, darling. Where have you been? Under a rock?"

"No, more like working." I bite my lip to hold back my attitude.

"All weekend, too? I tried calling you a few times."

"I went out with the girls and did lots of laundry and cleaning. I barely sat all weekend." I lie. She'd kill me if she knew where I really was or who I was with, for that matter.

"I see." I hear rustling and whispers. My stomach clenches. One of those whispers is definitely Melissa. I can tell. Are those two always together?

"Who're you talking to?"

"What? No one, Emma. Can we have dinner tomorrow night?"

Fuck. Of course she wants to have dinner. I'm sure she has a new suitor already lined up for me.

"Umm, let me see... How about an apology first?"

"I don't need to apologize. You’re the one who kicked me and your sister out."

I blow out a breath. "I'll let you know, okay? I've had a packed schedule lately."

I hear my sister snort and my face flushes. I bite my tongue and hold my words. Otherwise, I'll deliver a tongue lashing she won't see coming.

"What have you been up to? Have you been getting yourself into trouble?" Mom asks.

I roll my eyes. What am I, five years old?

"We don't need any repeats of... what's his name again?" I hear a whisper and more rustling. "Oh right, Brant."

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