Page 54 of Better Together

“Am I Zeke’s flavor of the month?”

“What?”

“I overheard a group of women asking who I was.”

“Ignore them. My brother might be a flirt, but he only commits to one person at a time. Sounds like they’re jealous.” Maggie moved in closer. “Hey, look at me. He finally woke up and saw you. He chose you. He has never looked at anyone the way he looks at you.”

“It’s so new, what if he gets bored?”

“With you? Not a chance. Plus, you’ve been friends for a long time. Why would he get bored now?” Maggie held her arms open wide. “Come on, bring it in.”

They tried to hug, but the oil painting got in their way.

“Oh, for gosh sakes.” Maggie flung the canvas around her neck, to her back, and gathered her friend in a huge hug. “Time to have some fun!”

They laughed and joined their friends in the hallway.

“Well, would you look at that,” Maggie said.

Alexis, Chloe, and Paige followed Maggie’s gaze.

“Well, I’ll be,” Paige said. “I guess we should have known the women would surround the doctor.”

“Do you think we should save him?” Chloe asked. “He looks uncomfortable.”

“Well, you are the only one not in a relationship and not family,” Paige said.

“Thanks for the reminder.”

As they all moved closer to Roman, a genie joined their circle.

“Wow, you’re beautiful as a blonde,” Alexis said. “Where did you find the costume, Lily?”

“I made it myself. I used to watch reruns of I Dream of Jeannie,” Lily said and posed with her arms crossed in front of her chest, nodding and blinking the way Barbara Eden had in the show when granting a wish. Her flowing pink costume and bare stomach had all the guys ogling her. “Would you like to make a wish?”

Maggie spoke first. “I wish for you to rescue my brother from Missy Covington and her clan.”

“Your wish is my command. Watch and learn, girls.”

Alexis, Chloe, Maggie, and Paige practically ran after “Jeannie” to watch the show.

Lily sauntered over and parted the group of tipsy women like the Red Sea, fawning over Roman. She held up her vase and rubbed it. “Well, here I am. What are your other two wishes?” Lily batted her long fake eyelashes at Roman, and Alexis could tell it took him a minute to realize the genie was Lily.

Roman, always the gentleman, held out his arm for her to take, and escorted Lily through the crowd and back to their group of friends.

“That was great. You look awesome, Lily,” Roman said. “Thanks for the save.”

“Anytime. Plus, I was able to practice my pickup lines.”

“Like you need them,” Zeke scoffed.

“Oh, but I do. I like to be in control. How about this one . . . Do you know CPR? Because you take my breath away.” She winked and took off toward the bar.

Everyone roared with laughter.

“Who knew dressing up like my little brother would attract the women. Isaiah must be turning the ladies away day and night,” Roman said.

Paige looked Chloe’s way with sympathy. Alexis wondered what that was all about.