Page 24 of Doctor I Do

“Oh, yes. Italian food, and my drink of choice is white wine,” I say.

He nods.

Our drinks arrive, and when she leaves, I’m quick to pick up my wine, holding it up. “Thank you, Alex, for helping me with this. I hope you understand how much I appreciate it, and you.”

We clink glasses. And as our eyes meet, his dilate. It’s quiet for a moment as we both take a good, long sip of our drinks.

Lowering his beer to the table, where he cradles it in his palms, he gazes at me, asking, “Do you have allergies? Or things you dislike?”

I hold my wine in my hand, enjoying the cold glass on my sweaty palm. “No, and ah, I don’t think so.”

His brows lift high into his hair line.

I tap the glass with my nail, mulling over the question. I wasn’t expecting it.

“Rude people, liars, cheaters, and onions,” I say on a breath. Thank God my brain decided to work again.

He chuckles, picking his beer up, but before he drinks, there’s a soft shake of his head.

“What?” I ask.

“Just after that list, I wasn’t expecting onions.”

I take a sip of my wine.

“Oh, and Mom’s name is Sonya, and my dad’s is Hector. But what about you? I need to know your birthday, favorite color, and family.”

“My birthday is March 1st. I don’t really have a favorite color, but I have Mike and a sister Steph. My parents are both doctors, and their names are Margaret and Paul. Steph is a Dermatologist. Oh, and I like to play golf and watch football.”

“I could’ve guessed that,” I tease with a smile.

“But did you know I’m a better golfer than Mike?”

I roll my eyes playfully. “I bet you and Mike have always been competitive.”

“Yeah, definitely about golf. But my dad kicks both of our asses,” he says with fondness before picking up his drink and gulping some down.

“I think my dad will like that piece of information.”

He drains his beer. “He plays golf?”

“Sometimes.” I smile.

“I’ll have to get him to play so I can win him over.” He winks.

“I think you’ll do it without that,” I mumble before I drain my glass, too.

He stares at me with amusement, and I expect him to call me out on it, but he doesn’t.

“I know you go to Luxe, and you used to work at Frank’s, and you went to college for a bit for business but quit. What hobbies do you have?”

“I work out and watch a lot of movies and TV.”

He nods and leans back in his chair, digging in his pocket for something. I take the opportunity to get a better look around the cozy bar. It’s beginning to fill with more people. Groups of friends and couples. Tonight has been relaxing and I’m surprisingly having a nice time with him.

“T.” His voice pulls my gaze back to him.

He’s holding a velvet box open with an engagement ring. The solitaire diamond sits on a classic gold band. It looks to be at least two carats. This snaps me back to the reality of what we’re doing.

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