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“I had already reached that conclusion and I agree. No sex. What’s next?”
Well, that’s a relief. “So, that’s a no on the getting it out of our systems thing?”
His hand comes up and touches my face, dragging down my neck and across my shoulder, pushing the top of my scrub shirt aside. “I’m not touching you when you’re drunk like this. But if at some point you decide you want one more time with me, you have it. Anytime. Anywhere.”
“Woo.” I start fanning my face. “Let’s table that for now, but then again, I’m not taking it off the table if you know what I mean.”
His thumb grazes the dip between my collarbone and shoulder. “I do.”
“Great, now stop touching me because you’re clouding my thinking and I need you to know there will be no falling in love. If that starts to happen or if we begin to have stronger feelings beyond attraction for the other, it has to end, and I know that’s putting a lot of—”
“No falling in love,” he repeats, holding his hand up to stop me, suddenly all stern and businesslike.
I sigh. “Callan, love hasn’t been my bestie in the past and I don’t have time for it or romance or feelings. I did that and it backfired on me, and when that happened, I realized just how much of myself I had sacrificed for him. I need to put myself and my goals first. I have three years left in med school and a minimum of three years after that for my residency.”
His expression softens. “You don’t have to explain. I understand it fully. I was where you are once before and I know I am not only older and already an attending, but hopefully, I’ll have Katy permanently as mine. You’re young and just starting out with your life and career.”
“Good. Thank you for understanding that.” I blow out a breath. This is easier than I thought it was going to be. “One year.”
“One year?”
“Max.”
“I’m Callan.”
I burst out laughing, falling into him a bit only to right myself quickly. “Same goes for him too, cheeky bastard.”
“I don’t think that will be an issue, but absolutely. I imagine you’ll be out of here long before that, though you’re welcome to stay for as long as you need. And if after you need help with an apartment or a recommendation or anything else, you’ll always have it from me.”
“I appreciate that. Do you have any parameters you want to voice?”
“We share a bed.”
Doink. “Uhhh.”
“If you’re agreeing to become my fake fiancée, then it might be necessary. My attorney explained that the upshot of this will very likely be family services making unannounced visits. It has to come across like we’re in love. I can’t have any visible signs of you sleeping in another bed even if we’re not having sex.”
He has a point and truly, I had already considered that. “What else?”
“You wear the engagement ring I get you whenever you’re not in school or at work.”
Vomit.
“What do I tell people at school?”
“Nothing. With any hope, this will all be taken care of quickly and we don’t have to tell anyone who doesn’t need to know anything. The school especially because I don’t want any issues with your classes or rumors. It might come down to a meeting in court. It might come to more. I’m honestly not sure.”
“When should I move in?”
“Whenever you’d like, but I’d appreciate sooner rather than later if that’s possible.”
“Considering I have zero furniture left and very few clothes, we’re talking little more than one or two suitcases. Oh, and you should know Amelia is telling Oliver about all of this.”
“Great,” he mutters with feigned enthusiasm. “So, should I expect him at my door with a shotgun now or in an hour or so?”
I squeeze his shoulder. “Trust me on this. That won’t happen. It’s a good thing Amelia is telling him because Amelia is now your biggest fan ever. She was you and I was Katy once.”
He shifts and takes my hand. “Layla…”
