Page 17 of A Very Grumpy Doctor

She shrugs as if it’s nothing, but I can sense her anxiety.She’s worried about her future.I want to pull her into my arms and assure her that I’ll take care of everything, that I make enough to support us both, but I know that she’s not ready to hear that yet.She would never take me up on an offer to loan her money either, so I change the subject.

“What about your parents?”

She tenses.“They’re gone.”

My stomach sinks.“I’m so sorry, Alexi.”

She nods jerkily and clears her throat.“Are you close to your parents?”

“No, not really.They’re very image-obsessed.They don’t like that I’m here in a small town in the middle of nowhere.They wish I was still on the East Coast, married to a socialite of their choosing.”

“And you don’t want that?”

“No.Every socialite they’ve introduced me to has been the same.Platinum blonde hair, rail thin, polite, distant smile.”

She ducks her head, but not before I see the tinge of jealousy in her eyes.“No one tempted you?”

I wait until she lifts her eyes to mine again and hold her gaze.“Not until you.”

She scoffs, but her expression softens with pleasure, and a blush stains her cheeks.

I lean closer.“Alexi, let me take you out tomorrow night.”

She swallows hard, studying me.I’m sure she’s about to reject me, but then she takes a deep breath and surprises me.

“Are you going to try to examine me in the middle of the date?”

I burst out laughing.“No, I promise I won’t.Unless you ask me to.”

“Okay, then… yeah, I’ll go out with you,” she whispers.

I grin like I just won the biggest award ever.This feeling is better than when I was accepted into medical school.It’s better than when I graduated or got this job.I’m ecstatic to have finally won her over.I’m going to make dinner for my woman.

Now I just need to convince her that love at first sight is a real diagnosis.If I can do that, my life will be perfect.

7

Alexi

“Hey,”I greet Daisy as I slip into the bridal shop on my lunch break.“I brought you some pizza.”

“Ah, you’re the best!I’m starved.”

I smile, setting the pizza box down on the counter behind the register, and plop down into one of the chairs.We each grab a slice, moaning as the grease and cheese melt in our mouths.

“How are you feeling?You’re looking a lot better,” Daisy comments.

“Yeah, I’m fully recovered now.”

“Good.”

I take another bite, shifting in my seat.

Daisy’s eyebrows rise as she tosses her crust into the box and grabs another slice.“What is it?”

“Hugh asked me out.He’s cooking for me tonight,” I say in a rush.

Daisy is beaming before I even finish the sentence.“Are you excited?Nervous?”