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“Ouch.” He feigned offense.
“You here to see your dad?”
He hadn’t really been heading there for anything in particular, but it was almost lunch, so maybe they could grab something together. He still felt uneasy about the last conversation they’d had and they might not get a chance to really clear the air at the family home. “If he’s not busy.”
She shook her head. “He’s been taking fewer patients lately,” she said, lowering her voice. “Transferring a lot of new clients to Dr. Royerson on Elm Street.”
So he was really moving forward with the retirement plans. Mitch swallowed hard. “How are you doing with the…transition?” She’d worked for his father for thirty-two years. This change impacted her as well.
She waved a hand. “Don’t you worry about me. I was ready to call it quits five years ago,” she said, but something in her voice made him suspect it was a lie. Mitch knew her husband was diabetic and suffered from high blood pressure. He had been retired for fifteen years and it was just her income supporting them now. She could still use the job and the steady paycheck it provided. Finding another one at her age would be stressful and difficult in the small town.
If he took over the practice, though, she wouldn’t have to.
He shook his head. His father would make sure she was taken care of. Or maybe whoever bought the practice could keep her on. After all, she knew the patients better than any new receptionist could.
His cell phone chimed as she paged his father and Mitch reached into his pocket for his phone. Seeing the text from Jessica, his face formed into a smile.
Jess:You can if you’re okay tagging along on my exciting life…
Mitch:What do you mean?
Jess:I have bowling league tonight. Still interested?
Mitch hesitated. Was he? He’d never been interested in small-town life before, finding the slow pace boring. But if he wanted to spend time with her, he’d have to learn to adjust. He definitely wanted to spend time with her.
Mitch:Pick you up at six?
He watched the tiny dots appear and waited for her reply.
Jess:Wish it was sooner.
Chapter Six
Unlike their picnic date, this one would be a lot more public. Bowling league was a big deal in Blue Moon Bay. With few weekday options for entertainment, the multiplex was a local hotspot for all ages. Could they keep their attraction on the down-low to avoid gossip spreading through town?
People seeing them together having a good time wasn’t her concern. It was the other less-than-flattering rumor of her Good Luck Charm curse that bothered her. Everyone might be watching to see if the hot, single doctor would meet his own match after spending time with her this holiday season. There were more than a few single women in town who might be waiting in the wings.
The thought made her stomach twist.
But the sight of Mitch standing next to the passenger side door in her driveway hours later turned that uneasiness into butterflies. He was gorgeous, dressed in jeans, a black crewneck sweater, and a green thermal vest. His hair was gelled to one side and the five o’clock stubble along his jawline was her ultimate weakness.
“Hi,” he greeted with a wave as she approached.
A simple word and yet she could hear the note of anticipation in his voice, as though he’d been looking forward to that evening as much as she’d been.
“Hi,” she said with a smile. He opened the passenger door and she climbed in. Once she was settled on the seat, he closed the door and walked around the front of it to the driver’s side.
She took a deep breath to steady her thundering heart rate.
This was going to be fine.
Even if Mitch did find the love of his life after dating her this holiday season, it would no doubt be someone overseas and she wouldn’t have a front row seat to the relationship.
And if he came back to get married, she’d refuse to make the wedding cake.
“You okay?” he asked, studying her as he climbed in behind the wheel.
She shook off the unsettling image of him waiting at the altar next spring with a bride that wasn’t her. “Perfect.”
