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“So you came with Darren...”
“Derek,” he corrected.
“That doesn’t mean you have to leave with him. Darren seems a might too green to handle a scorchin’-hot babe like you.”
“Excuse me,” a deep voice interrupted, and a distinguished-looking man, about forty years of age, pushed between Collin and Olivia. “Olivia, I’m hoping you’ll introduce me to your friend.”
“Sure, Dr. Arrington. This is Charlie Best. Charlie, this is Dr. Arrington.”
Collin made a huffing noise in the background and moved around to stand behind Derek, craning his head to see.
Charlie reached her hand out to shake Dr. Arrington’s, but was startled when he lifted it and bent to kiss the back of her hand. “You can call me Jack.”
“Dr. Arrington is the head of the new Pediatric Wing your stepfather donated to the hospital,” said Olivia.
“Steven Gherring is your stepfather? Where has he been hiding you?” He sat against the edge of the table, smiling down at her.
“Uhmm... I just moved here from Colorado. I’m starting law school in January.”
“What happened to your arm?”
“Skiing accident.”
“Ah-ha. I think I heard about that. That was you? You look amazing to have come through such a terrible accident. And didn’t you have thoracic surgery as well? Oh, yes I think I can see the beginning of a scar.”
He reached his hand forward as if he were going to move the edge of Charlie’s dress to see more of the scar.
JOSH SCANNED THE ROOM on arrival, hoping to catch sight of Charlie, and praying she’d come without a date. If he found her alone, he would take Olivia’s advice and ditch Iris so he could talk to Charlie. He sighed as Iris clutched his elbow. Ditching her might be harder than he’d hoped.
“This place is fabulous,” said Iris.
“Yeah, it’s great.” He gave a rote reply, leading her toward the tables.
“Oh look!” said Iris. “There’s Dr. Gates. Oh, and Olivia Marshall and Dr. Arrington, too. Who’s that girl he’s talking to?”
Josh saw Arrington leaning against the table, and then his eyes riveted on the object of Arrington’s attention—Charlie Best. She was sporting the most revealing black dress Josh had ever seen in his life. With her hair up, he could tell the dress left her slim muscled back completely exposed, and he wondered how the plunging front was miraculously staying in place, barely covering her breasts. He hoped she wouldn’t take a breath, fearing at the slightest movement everything would spill out for all to see.
He surveyed the scene. Derek to her left and Collin peering over his shoulder, while Charlie was on display for the entire group of leering men. Josh felt his muscles begin to tremble as he fought against the urge to beat these men to pulps. Arrington reached his hand out to touch Charlie’s chest, and something exploded in Josh’s head. He moved before he even realized what he was doing.
“Whoa! Whoa! Josh! What are you doing? Calm down!” said Arrington as he found himself dragged bodily away from the table, the front of his shirt bunched in Josh’s fist.
“Keep your hands off her, Jack!”
“I didn’t touch her.”
“You were trying! Just keep away from her!”
“I was only having a conversation with Ms. Best. We were merely getting acquainted. Do you have some kind of claim on her?”
“Yes, I do!”
“No, he doesn’t,” said Charlie.
Josh peeled off his tuxedo coat, draping it over Charlie, whose eyes widened.
“Well which is it?” Arrington asked, scowling as he looked from Charlie back to Josh.
“Hi, Dr. Arrington.” Iris sidled next to Josh, grasping his elbow. “Great party, huh?”
