AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Brooke
Considering Dr. Marshall’s preference for high-profile and younger patients, Lucas was facing an uphill battle in convincing the practice’s owner to expand the home model for everyone. I had to ask, “Don’t you enjoy working with the celebrities and athletes?”
He shrugged. “No, not as much. Some are perfectly nice, but for most, it’s less about health care and more about the prescriptions I can write them. That’s not what I’m about.”
There was no way to prolong the conversation without breaking the confidence I’d promised our boss, so I dropped it and was thankful when we pulled into my condo’s parking lot in Laguna Beach.
Lucas followed me up the stairs to the second floor and into my condominium. It was decorated with a soft gray and white palette, with a large living room leading into the kitchen. What I loved about it was the open space and hardwood floors, making it warm but functional. The selling point, though, had been the balcony with the ocean view.
“Nice.”
“Thanks.” I opened the sliding door to the balcony, letting in the fresh air.
Was there anything better than the ocean air? As much as Addy might wish I’d move to Vegas, I wasn’t sure I could ever give up the beach. I was a coastal girl through and through.
“Will you sell this place if you take the job in San Francisco?”
“Good question. Considering Mike lives on the fifth floor, probably.”
His brows furrowed. “Your ex-fiancé moved three floors up after the breakup?”
“No, we each bought in this building. Figured the units could both become investments to rent out once we bought a house.”
“Did you rent out one and live in the other?”
“No.” I’d preferred my space, and Mike had enjoyed his. Yet another sign we hadn’t been compatible long term. “We never lived together. Are you hungry? Did you want to go for dinner or order in? I have wine, but that’s about it.” While I surveyed my kitchen, he put his arm around me from the back and kissed my neck. The contact of his hot lips against my skin made me shiver.
“How about we order dinner and have wine later?”
I turned in his arms, running my hands over his biceps, then his firm chest. “Mm, what do you have in mind for now?”
“I’m a big fan of tables. Yours strong enough?”
I smirked. “Only one way to find out.”
We both turned at the sound of the knock on the door.
“Expecting anyone?” Lucas asked.
“No.” Nor was I friendly enough with anyone in the building they’d decide to drop in to say hello.
“Good, then we can ignore it because this dress has been begging to be stripped off of you.” He lifted me up, causing me to squeal with laughter as he crossed over to my kitchen table and put my ass on the edge.
A louder bang came from the door followed by, “Brooke, I know you’re in there. I saw you on the camera going inside. Can you open up?”
Shit. Was that Mike? I was instantly irritated he’d logged in to my Ring camera account. It had been a serious oversight on my part not to remove him.
“The ex?” Lucas whispered.
“Unfortunately, yes. Hold on.” There was no reason for him to be here.
Opening the door, I was struck by the image of Mike looking uncharacteristically disheveled. His hair, typically combed back impeccably, was in disarray, and his eyes had bags under them. Although some would say he was classically handsome, I could say with one hundred percent certainty I was no longer attracted to him. “What do you want?”
He winced at my abrupt non-greeting. “Can I come in?”
I spared a glance toward Lucas, who only shrugged and took a seat on a stool at the counter. “You have two minutes.”
“Thank you.” He walked in and stopped short when he spotted my guest. “You? You’re from the wedding at the hotel?”
