Page 75 of Rules Of Our Own

“Oh, Doctor swore.” He winks in a way that reminds me so much of Jax it’s not even funny. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. Anyway. Time’s up. Good to go, Piper?”

He calls her by her first name, and suddenly, being called Doctor seems so stuffy, no matter how long it took me to earn it.

“All clear. Come back in a week, and we’ll check it again.”

“Next time you’re here, call me Mia,” I add lamely.

“Sure thing, Doc.”

When he’s gone, Piper knocks her shoulder against mine. “Well, look at you already fitting in. Robbie there doesn’t like anyone, and here you are charming him on your first day.”

Warmth shimmers in my chest. “I had to be good at something. Now, finish giving me the tour.”

CHAPTER36

MIA

Piper takesme to a small pub located between the clinic and my place. Sidney and Misty are meeting us here for an impromptu celebration.

Never in a million years did I think I would land a job when Piper asked me to visit her. I glance her way. She’s talking to Lucas, giving him an update on what’s up. Her hair’s whipping wildly around her when we turn the corner, and a chill settles in my bones.

Piper covers her phone, trying to protect it from the wind. “Okay, love you.” Pause. “Yes, I’ll text you when I’m ready.” Pause. Her cheeks flush bright pink, and her eyes flutter. “Lucas Knight, you’ll pay for that later.”

I can hear his laugh through the phone before she hangs up.

We’re here. She stops in front of an old brick building with a large red sign with Lucky’s written in red letters outlined in white. It has black-framed windows that are divided by square panes. Looking through, I can see the place has red leather booths, wood tables, and an old-world vibe to it.

The bitter smell of Guinness fills the air, burning the back of my nose, and mixes with the salty smell of greasy fries.

There are a few guys tucked into one of the corner booths, all wearing perfectly tailored suits, with their hair styled a little too perfectly. They’re like a knockoff imitation of River, who looks like he was made for his crisp oxfords and wool pants, whereas these guys look like they’re playing dress-up.

River’s hair falling into his dark eyes flashes through my thoughts, and I shake it off. I can’t let myself go down that road, or I’ll be thinking of them all night.

“Mia, Piper!” Sidney stands from a table at the other end of the bar and waves us over. Misty sits beside her, munching on what looks like mozzarella sticks. She gives me a wide smile and looks freaking adorable with her shoulder-length hair pulled up in bright purple space buns.

“You didn’t have to come,” I say and wrap Sidney in my arms. She’d caught the first flight out to Boston the second she knew I was here.

She raises a brow. “You should’ve told me.”

I settle in beside her. “I didn’t want to ruin your vacation.”

“Are you kidding me? The icebergs aren’t going anywhere.”

“Actually, I hear we’re losing one hundred billion metric tons of ice every year,” Misty chimes in.

I huff out a laugh and raise a brow at Sidney.

“See? Perfectly reasonable not to ruin your last chance to see the icebergs.”

She narrows her eyes at me before rolling them. “Whatever. You should’ve told me you lost your job.”

I scrunch up my nose. “I know. I just didn’t know what to say. Like, how do you tell someone your ex got you fired?”

“Sidney, Piper, my asshole of an ex went crying to his dad, and the dickwad got me fired. Easy peasy,” Piper adds.

I laugh. “I’ll remember that for next time.”

“Oh no. There’s never going to be a next time. I’m honestly astonished that Alex and River let him walk away.” Sidney’s smile is devious.

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