Page 37 of Doctor’s Forbidden Match

“Oh, there’s a bird?” Emmett perks up and leans forward with sudden interest.

“Woman,” I correct automatically, pointing at a duck sliding across the water. “That’s a bird.”

Emmett grabs a fry and chucks it at me. It bounces off my chest. “Alright, smartass. Woman.”

Jameson’s grin fades, replaced by something more complicated. “Yeah… there might be someone, but she’s way out of my league.”

I frown, searching his face. “What makes you say that?”

He looks down at his beer bottle and starts tearing at the label, peeling it in long strips. His chest rises as he sucks in a deep breath, like he’s preparing himself for confession. “Her wedding ring.”

“Oh, fuck!” Emmett blares, his voice exploding across the pier. He bends forward, doubled over with laughter, slapping his palm against his knee, then throws himself back in his chair so hard it nearly tips.

My stomach drops. “She’s married?”

Jameson’s face lifts, and he looks at me directly. There’s something vulnerable in his expression. “Based on the rock she’s wearing? Yeah.”

“Don’t go there,” I warn, the beer bottle suddenly heavy in my hand.

There’s one thing I don’t do, and that’s mess with people in relationships. I won’t be a bystander to that kind of shit. I don’t agree with it and never will. Friend or not, I’ll tell him straight: it’s unacceptable.

“I won’t, but—” Jameson sighs, like something’s playing on his mind.

“But what?” I press, turning to look at him directly.

He keeps his eyes on the water as he answers. “The connection is crazy. Like, fucking intense. And the reason I’m here this weekend is to avoid her.”

Emmett sits up straighter, interest sparking in his eyes. “Her car is getting fixed at your shop?”

Jameson’s gaze swings back to us, and he nods slowly. “Yeah. It’ll be there for a while. Major work.”

“Fuck.” Emmett lets out a low whistle. “Maybe stay here a while longer then.”

“I can’t avoid her forever,” Jameson resigns.

I stay silent because I know exactly what he means.

At least I have six weeks for this insane attraction to die off, because I know it will. It has to. It’s just my body reminding me how long it’s been since I’ve had sex. But I won’t touch anyone from town again; that’s too complicated, and I sure as hell can’t be with a patient. So, unless I go out of Pulse Point...

“Let’s take a trip somewhere.”

Both of their heads whip toward me, eyes wide with shock.

Emmett slaps his hands together. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

Jameson just stares momentarily, his eyebrows raised, before slowly lifting his bottle toward me in a salute. “Good idea, man. Really good idea.”

“Boys’ trip coming up.” Emmett grins. “Where should we go?”

Jameson smirks as his eyes cut to Emmett. “I’m thinking we leave you here. You’ll scare the birds off.”

I laugh, turning to check my rod. Still no bites, and the line hangs slack in the water.

But honestly, this is exactly what I wanted. Just us, no pressure, having fun.

“Fuck off.” Emmett throws a rolled-up napkin at Jameson. “I’ll be the reason you two pick up anyone. Without me, you’ll stand in the corner, twiddling your thumbs like middle schoolers.”

“We know how to talk to women,” I counter with an eye roll.