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Finding Love with the Unexpected
Rachel Lyn Adams
Chapter 1
Kayla
The mimosas flowed, and I was enjoying the time with my girls. Simone invited Addie, Ashley, and me to her boyfriend’s house for brunch while he and our other friends went surfing. Simone had her own apartment, but she spent most of her time at Kyle’s place. I couldn’t blame her with its gorgeous ocean views and large rooftop deck.
“So.” Simone waggled her eyebrows at me as she took a sip of her drink. “You mentioned you’re seeing someone. Spill.”
“Yeah, we need all the details,” Ashley added.
Heat warmed my cheeks, and Addie snickered. “You’re blushing. It must be good.”
My face burned hotter at her teasing. “Well, his name is Mark. He’s cute, and we’re having fun together.”
“We need more than that,” Simone said. “How’d you guys meet?”
I hesitated because even though I loved my friends and knew they were excited for me; I didn’t want them to judge how Mark and I had met. “Uh, he’s a doctor.”
“At the hospital you just started working at?” Addie asked.
I took a sip of my mimosa and nodded.
“Oh, wow. Are doctors and nurses allowed to date?” Ashley questioned.
“It’s not against policy,” I explained. “But we’re keeping things private and not telling anyone at work.”
Simone bobbed her head. “That’s probably a good idea.”
“What’s a good idea?” Kyle asked as he and the guys joined us on the deck.
I’d met all of them when we went out to celebrate Simone’s birthday a few months prior. Since that night, the eight of us spent time together regularly. Only Kyle and Simone were a couple; however, Trent and Ashley hooked up occasionally. I found Ian attractive and even flirted with him that first night. But I was pretty sure something was up between him and Addie, although they claimed to be just friends. Erik acted like the ‘big brother’ of the group and was one of the nicest guys in the world. I loved the little family we’d formed.
“Kayla’s telling us about the new guy she’s seeing.” Simone giggled as Kyle lifted her from the chair, sat down, and pulled her onto his lap.
Simone had endured a lot of trauma over the last few years, and it thrilled me she’d finally found a man who treated her the way she deserved and loved her daughter as well. They were the epitome of relationship goals.
“Kayla got herself a boyfriend, huh?” Erik ruffled my hair as he passed by to sit on the other end of the couch.
I slapped his hand away and laughed. “Shut up.”
“Who’s the lucky guy?” Ian wondered.
“His name is Mark, and he’s a doctor,” Ashley piped up.
Trent glanced at me. “At the hospital you work at?”
Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned Mark’s job. “Yes, he works there too.”
Kyle looked at me. “Are you sure you want to get involved with someone at work?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Like you can talk.”
Kyle and Simone may have been the perfect couple, but their relationship wasn’t without its own controversy. He had been her divorce attorney, and to add more drama, the man she divorced was Trent’s younger brother.
“You got a point.” He chuckled.
