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Honestly, it felt like I had been cast as the unwilling lead in a cheesy rom-com. Maybe one where two polar opposites get snowed in together? Perfect.
With an exaggerated exhale, I yanked open the car door and stepped out. Calling out to Sadie, she joyfully trotted over.
Doc’s eyes nearly popped out seeing my hulking black lab. "Did you bring a bear?" he exclaimed, poorly hiding his surprise.
"First of all, she's a dog. Secondly, she's coming in," I declared with a smirk, daring him to object.
His jaw tightened, but he managed to keep his composure, remarking, "Fine. But if she decides my couch is her new favorite snack, you and I will have words."
“She has better taste than that,” I quipped.
He made a half-hearted attempt to offer me his hand as I approached the steps, but I brushed it away. “I’m perfectly capable, thanks,” I remarked icily, marching up the stairs with Sadie close behind.
The warm embrace of the cabin greeted me instantly as I stepped inside. Sadie, sensing the cozy spot, immediately sprawled out beside the fireplace. Dr. Montivais watched with a barely concealed grimace before facing me.
“Suppose I should thank you for the files,” he muttered, his tone contrasting sharply with the cheery surroundings, the words sounding like they were dragged out of him.
“It wasn’t a favor for you,” I shot back, my eyes narrowing.
A momentary silence settled, punctuated only by the comforting crackle of the fire.
He cleared his throat. “You could make an effort to be a tad less prickly.”
I raised an eyebrow, gesturing around the room. “And you might consider getting into the holiday spirit a bit. Or at least not being such a monumental jerk.”
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Touché.”
Chapter 3
Tony
Man, this one’s got fire!
There I was, in my glorious, isolated cabin in the woods, with Jude, not Judy, as she had so graciously pointed out. And by “graciously,” I meant she looked like she wanted to wring my neck.
I was Dr. Tony Montivais, the guy everyone wanted a piece of, and here was this woman, who, though clearly infuriated by my mere existence, was making my boring night somewhat interesting.
When she bent down to wipe her dog’s paws on the mat, I couldn't help but check her out. It wasn't every day that a lady ended up stranded in my cabin during a blizzard. I figured it was my duty as a man to appreciate the view, which, admittedly, was pretty damn fine. There was something about the way her clothes hugged her body that was unexpectedly enticing. I could have been a gentleman, but where was the fun in that?
“So, Jude, huh? I always thought it was Judy.” I smirked, knowing full well that calling her by the wrong name would get under her skin.
She shot me a look that could kill and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
However, her choice of attire was somewhat... uninspiring. She wore gray slacks that were too loose, and a white button-up under a chunky sweater. My mom would have rocked that outfit—back in the 80s. I shared that thought with Jude because, well, I had to.
"My mom would love your outfit."
She wasn’t amused, and the daggers she fired in my direction made it clear that another comment like that might result in my balls getting yanked off and tossed into the roaring fire.
The tension was palpable. Part of it was annoyance, but there was something else, the kind of something that makes your heart race just a tad too fast.
It was then that I realized I hadn't really noticed her before at the hospital, which was odd considering how damn gorgeous she was. There was something about her that was making it difficult for me to keep up my usual cool and collected demeanor.
As she settled in by the fireplace with her dog, I couldn’t help but watch her. I knew I should have been concerned about my files, but for some reason, all I could focus on was the mysterious woman in my living room.
I decided then and there that maybe the evening’s unexpected turn of events might not be so bad after all. If nothing else, it was bound to be entertaining.
“Can I get you something to drink, Judy?” I winced as soon as I said the word, realizing that I’d messed up her name yet again.
