Page 26 of Doctor I Do

“So, is the business successful?” I ask, catching a brief look at her before focusing on the road.

Her frame taunted me when she entered the bar in that sexy-as-hell outfit. The way the skirt rests on her waist complements her hourglass frame. I had to hold myself back from walking to her and laying a kiss on her exposed shoulder and dragging my lips up her neck.

I don’t know what it is about her, but she has a way of getting me to not think straight.

“Yeah, very,” she says too quietly. I could barely hear her.

“That will help when you take majority of it over.”

She grumbles, “I don’t know about that. I could screw it up.”

“Is that what you’re worried about?”

She stares out her window. I wonder what’s running through her head.

“I’ve never run a business before. I didn’t finish the business course at college. I haven’t learned how to run a successful business or studied fashion...I’m not prepared for this at all. I just know I want it.”

“Most people I know who are successful will say you don’t need to go to college or have experience. The work itself will give you all the experience you need. You’ll figure it out.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Why are you so hard on yourself? You have time to learn the ropes from your parents and ask questions as you go. You’re freaking out because you’re looking too far ahead. One day at a time, T.”

It’s silent for a beat, and I think that's all she’ll say, but then she surprises me. “I feel like a failure to my parents. My friends all have their shit together, and I don’t. I have money and the smarts, yet I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do before now. I’m already in my mid-twenties with no achievements under my belt.”

I’m stunned by her confession. I’m also sad for her.

“You shouldn’t compare yourself to them, because there isn’t anything wrong with you. I’m glad you’ve figured out what you really want. Even if I’m on this crazy fake journey with you.”

“Yeah, it’s going to be a ride.”

I look over at her again and see her slumped body is more comfortable. My gaze doesn’t miss the way her skirt has ridden up above her knee, showing more of her leg to me. I bite back a growl.

“You know, my friends and I have joked about how I should be a stylist.”

“Really? Then why didn’t you work in the family business after school?”

“I wasn’t ready, and seeing how much they worked, it was a turnoff. No life other than work. I wanted a bit of freedom.”

“Being an established business, it shouldn’t require as much work, right?” I ask.

I take a quick peek over at her, and she’s staring my way. Her eyes have a way of pulling me in. I refocus on driving, wanting us to get there in one piece.

“They have a lot of staff in all different areas, so no it shouldn’t be. But I guess I’ll find out soon enough.”

“You sure will. And remember, you can always discuss with them about changing the direction of the business. It’s majority yours to do what you want with, right?”

She makes a humming sound. I’m surprised by how nice it is to talk to a woman instead of chatting them up with a purpose to fuck them. I’ve never spoken to them about life problems, or in this case, work issues.

I like the mental connection it brings. Physical isn’t an issue whenever Tahlia is around. She’s hot, but her vulnerability is killing me more than my attraction to her, and I want to make her better.

My phone rings through the car, and Nancy’s number pops up. I cringe.

I plan to just let it ring, but Tahlia asks, “Are you going to answer that?”

“No.”

“You can, I don't mind.” She shrugs nonchalantly.

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