Page 15 of A Very Grumpy Doctor

I send backthe emoji sticking its tongue out and go back to cleaning.

An hour later, my phone buzzes again.

Hugh:Do you need anything?I should be done in an hour.I’ll grab some food and head to your place.

Alexi: No, I’m good.No need to stop by.

Hugh: Trust me, baby.There’s a need.

I blushat his words and debate what to do.I can’t stay here.I don’t want to be waiting around when he stops by.So, I do the only logical thing.

I get dressed and go out.

6

Hugh

I’m not evensurprised when I drive down Main Street and see Alexi walking down the block.

She’s so damn stubborn,I think fondly as I hit my blinker and pull up to the curb alongside her.

I knew as soon as I texted her that I would be by tonight that she would have some excuse not to be home.I may not know everything about Alexi yet, but I’m learning quickly.I know she hates doctors, hates asking for help, and refuses to slow down even when she’s not feeling well.

She can’t seem to get away from me fast enough as I pull over.I would think she wasn’t interested in me, but she blushes every time I get close to her.I can always see her heartbeat fluttering at the base of her throat.I can read Alexi, and I know she can feel this instant connection between us too.

“Where are we headed, baby?”I call out the window.

She side-eyes me.“Just out for a stroll.”

I bite back a smile.I can tell she’s tired and trying to hide it.She trudges on a few steps, and I shift into park.

“Are we walking?Or can I give you a ride?We can go get some food, and I can drive you home,” I offer.

She bites her bottom lip, and I know that she’s tempted, so I sweeten the deal.

“What are you hungry for?More soup?Tacos?A burger?”

Her eyes light up.“Tacos.”

“Okay, let’s go over to Salsa Supreme and get tacos for dinner.”

She hesitates for a moment, then with a big exhale, she turns and walks over to the passenger door.I’m about to hop out and get her door for her, but the light changes and cars honk their horns as they pass.

“What did you do today?”I ask her once she’s buckled up and we’re merging into traffic.

“Cleaned up my place a bit,” she says, resting her head against the passenger window.

“You should have been resting,” I scold.

She shrugs.“It wasn’t exactly hard work.Plus, it feels good to have a clean place now.It felt like my germs were everywhere.”

“They probably were.”

She smiles slightly as we pull into the drive-through of Salsa Supreme.

“What would you like?”I ask as we wait for our turn.

I place our order and drive around to the collection point, paying before Alexi can offer.