Page 13 of Rumours and Romance
Probably more than I should right now.
Which is why I’m also not admitting that the carrot muffin she made me eat this morning was by far one of the best muffins I’ve ever had in my life. And I love muffins.
She said this morning that she would stop by the clinic after work with something for me, so when the clock strikes four and I haven’t seen her yet, I start to think maybe she was in and out while I was with a patient. But why would she come here and not wait to see me?
Fuck. I’m overthinking this more than the Nashville Fury overthink their offensive plays.
“Hey, Doctor Holt. You look like you could use a massage, your muscles are so tense. You should come over tonight to relax, I’ll order some dinner and I’ve got a bottle of red at home with our name on it.”
It’s probably not a good thing that when I hear Veronica’s voice all I feel is dread. And when that voice is dangerously close by, my gut reaction is to move as far away as I politely can. Unfortunately, I’m trapped between the side of the counter and Veronica, who’s pressing into me in a way that is completely inappropriate for the workplace. This is my punishment for being so pathetic that I’m hanging out by the front desk hoping to see Mila, instead of being in the back, finishing up chart notes so I can leave for the day.
“Hey, honey,” Mila’s sweet voice is a godsend, and it takes me a second to register the fact that she is calling someone honey. And in that second, my confusion goes from level one to level ten when she walks straight up to me, neatly shoving Veronica to the side. She puts her hand on my chest, lifts up onto her toes, and kisses me lightly on the lips. It’s brief enough my brain doesn’t even have time to register the sensation of someone other than Stefani kissing me for the first time in years. But other parts of my body definitely seem to take notice.
I’m trying to catch up, completely confused by what just happened, and have no idea how to respond until Mila keeps talking.
“I’m glad I got to see you. I wasn’t sure how busy you would be; I know you want to get out in time for dinner at my place.” Mila’s fluttering her eyelashes at me, but when I look closer, I see mischief in her brown eyes. Then it clicks. She’s giving me an out with Veronica. This is going to be awkward as all hell later, but for now I’ll take the excuse she’s offering.
“Hi, babe. Can’t wait, I’m almost done here.” I lean down and kiss her again on instinct, and I’m surprised that it feels as good as it does to have her lips against mine. They’re soft, and they fit against mine in a way that is eerily perfect. I take a step back to put some space between us. Yeah, she’s a beautiful woman and I’m a guy who isn’t afraid to admit that, but she’s also a friend. A friend who is just helping me with a sticky situation. At least, I think that’s what she’s doing.
Whatever game Mila’s playing works, because Veronica steps even further away, and is watching us with a glower on her face and her hands crossed in front of her chest.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, and holy shit, the tone of her voice is cold enough to freeze water. Something tells me there’s history between these two, and it isn’t friendly.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but Jackson,” I smirk at how Mila emphasizes my first name, “has been helping me with Milo’s leg. I’m here to get some more medicine for him and bring some more thank you cookies for my man.” Sure enough Mila hands me a bag that smells of chocolate. This must be the real reason she’s here.
Oh God. It’s so cheesy, and I’m thankful the only person witnessing this is Rosie, who is manning the front desk again today. She’s watching us raptly, and I swear if there was popcorn in front of her, she’d be eating it. Little did I know when I came to work today that I’d be putting on a show. Meanwhile, Veronica looks like she could spit fire at Mila, and a part of me worries if I’ll be breaking up a fight in a minute.
“Anyway, I’ll see you at my house later, honey.” Mila presses one more kiss, this time to my jaw, before walking over to the door. As she goes, my eyes are drawn to her hips, which sway back and forth with each step. It’s all part of the show she’s putting on for Veronica, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the sight.
When I turn back to Veronica and Rosie, they’re both staring at me. One with frustration and defeat in her eyes, and one with excitement.
“Alright then. Back to work,” I say brusquely, then I push through the doors and go straight to the back office to bury myself in paperwork until my next patient. And to try and make sense of what just happened. More importantly, how I’m going to handle the fact that kissing Mila Monroe felt really, really good.
I finish up my work for the day just before six. I haven’t heard from Mila, but I also haven’t had to deal with any more advances from Veronica, which is a relief. The number of times I picked up my phone to text Mila is embarrassing, especially since I don’t know what I would say.
Thanks for helping me with Veronica.
Your lips feel amazing.
I want to kiss you again.
Yeah, no. Not going there.
When I leave the clinic, my stomach is growling, but I don’t want to go out anywhere to eat. A pre-made meal from the grocery store is all I need for now. And a drink. I definitely need a drink. Thank God this grocery store is one that can sell alcohol. The choices are limited to local BC wines, but there are some excellent choices.
I walk up to the cashier with my basket, and when I unload the bottle of wine I picked out, she gives me a knowing smile. “Taking this over to Mila Monroe’s house?” she says with a wink.
“Uh, yeah. That’s right,” I say awkwardly. What the hell? Why is a complete stranger at the store asking if I’m going to Mila’s? For that matter, why did I say yes?
Back at the motel I drink wine out of my coffee cup while Harley purrs on my lap. He really is the laziest cat ever, but we’ve been together for years. I mull over what went on at the clinic today. As far as a strategy to get Veronica off my back, it worked, but what happens now? Eventually I go to bed, hoping that things will be more clear tomorrow.
Oh, how wrong I was. The next morning, thanks to a lovely red wine hangover, I sleep in late. Which means I don’t have time to stop by the bakery and talk to Mila before going to the clinic. In fact, by the time I get up and ready, all I have time for is a quick protein shake as I drive to work. I’ll have to make do with the nasty coffee in the break room at the clinic today, even though my taste buds are whimpering at not getting something to eat from The Nutty Muffin.
Needless to say, I’m completely off my game, which also means I’m completely unprepared for the reception that awaits me when I walk into the office and see Doctor Morton there.
“Jackson, my boy, wonderful to see you. I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear you’re finding your way here in our town.”
That’s a strange comment to make, but I roll with it. “Ah, thanks, Phil. I’m really enjoying it here. In fact, I’ll be looking at a house with Mila Monroe this weekend —”
