Page 29 of Maxwell

Her stomach dipped, taking her by surprise. “So, you do have plans with someone?” Jasmine asked, trying to sound casual.

“My friend Jayson—you met him at NV Lounge—is having a party. I’ll be going to that.”

“No special lady in your life?” she asked lightly.

He didn’t answer right away, and she tried not to squirm under his direct stare.

“Not at the moment.”

“Oh, that’s right. You’re not looking for anything serious.”

“That could change. It changed for you, didn’t it?” Maxwell asked.

He was clearly referring to Nicholas. Instead of answering, she said, “I better run. It’s getting late, and I’m starving.”

“Hey, if you want something to do this weekend, give me a call. We could do something together. Something platonic, of course.” He wrote his number on a prescription pad and extended the torn off piece of paper to her.

She shouldn’t take it, yet her feet were moving her across the room. She accepted the sheet. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. If I’m desperate for something to do.”

“I figured that’s the only reason you’d call. If you’re desperate.”

“Good night, Doc.”

“Good night, Office Manager.”

Jasmine left him alone but paused after a few steps. She returned to his office. “I didn’t cheat on Nicholas with you.”

Maxwell looked up from his journal. “I didn’t say that you did.”

“But that’s what you’re thinking. You think I was involved with someone the night you and I slept together. I wasn’t.”

“Which means right after you and I hooked up, you met a perfect man named Nicholas Tight Pants?”

Jasmine rolled her eyes. “His name is Nicholas Gamble. What do you care? Are you jealous?”

Maxwell let out a hearty laugh. Too hearty. It wasn’t that doggone funny to suggest he might be jealous.

“Does that answer your question?” he asked.

“Nicholas and I dated a while back. His job took him out of state for a couple of years, and we chose not to do the long distance thing. He moved back a few weeks ago and looked me up and... we’re going to give our relationship another shot.” Why was she explaining her relationship to Maxwell? She didn’t owe him an explanation.

“How romantic,” he said.

His sarcastic tone irritated her. “It is romantic. He’s romantic, sweet, and very generous. He’ll make a great partner. He has all the qualities a woman looks for in a man. On top of that, he’s educated and has a prestigious career.”

“I saw the Mercedes. He must make a lot of money.”

“That was definitely jealousy I heard.”

“What would I be jealous of?” Maxwell asked, sounding incredulous.

“You’re a doctor, but you’re at the beginning of your career. You probably have a ton of student loans to pay off. Financially, things might not be great for you right now, but give it time. Eventually you’ll be in a good position, like Nicholas.”

His eyes narrowed slightly and the corners of his mouth lifted into a secretive smile. “Thank you. I needed the pep talk.”

“If you like, I could have Nicholas talk to you about investing. He works in risk management and is very knowledgeable about that kind of thing.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m all right in that department.”