Page 37 of Yours to Keep

Suddenly, however, the glimmer of suspicion disappeared and she smiled. “Relax. I’m teasing. Whatever you did though, thank you. The nurses are happier. Patients are happier. Even Sully’s a little less sullen.”

I huffed out a laugh of my own. “I’m glad to be of service.”

“Was it threats?” she asked. “Blackmail? I need to know that, at least.”

“Please, I’m not a monster.”

“Pity,” she said cheerfully. “Blackmail works great on him.”

I smiled, but my stomach twisted because now I was wondering if the kiss had had anything to do with the decision to change the gowns. For me, it definitely hadn’t been like that. The kiss and the gowns were two entirely separate issues.

The gowns were practical, a matter of patient care. A mistake that needed fixing. End of discussion.

The kiss? That was me being a horny girl with self-control issues and a deeply unfortunate, brand-new attraction to arrogant men with broad shoulders and stupidly good mouths. That was biology.

It hadn’t meant anything, but sometimes, when I let my thoughts drift to where they absolutely should not go, I wondered if it’d meant something to Sullivan. Getting dangerously close to daydreaming about him while still in the presence of his sister, I snapped myself out of it and smiled.

“I didn’t blackmail him. Really. Scout’s honor. I just asked him to put on one of the gowns and he had no choice but to agree to change them when he realized for himself how terrible they were.”

Liana nodded, easing from there into the friendly kind of conversation people had when they were still trying to get to know someone. “I know my brother has been making things difficult around here recently, but he’ll come around. He’s not a bad guy. I promise.”

I chuckled. “A few more decisions like bringing back the proper gowns and I might just believe you.”

“You’ll see.” She grinned. “How’s work going otherwise? You only recently started here as a nurse practitioner, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, Sullivan’s first day was actually mine too. I did my fellowship here last year though, and I’ve often worked in the hospital. I just never worked for it before.”

“Right. I’ve noticed you look pretty settled here for someone so new.” When she looked at me again, I saw that same flicker that made it look like she saw more than she was saying.

I arched an eyebrow at her, my head tilting slightly as I held her bright green gaze. “What?”

“Nothing,” she said. “It’s just that you have a way of making people better. Even when they’re difficult.”

I snorted. “Especially when they’re difficult.”

“My brother included?”

“Nope.” I rolled my eyes. “Your brother is a special category all his own.”

As she kept studying me in that overly perceptive way, I didn’t know if it was just paranoia, but I got the feeling she either knew or thought there was something going on between Sullivan and me. Then I thought about the cake tasting and how she’d invited me knowing her brother would be there too.

Is she trying to play matchmaker? And why I am not sure if I’m upset or excited about that?

The idea of Liana nudging her impossible brother toward me sent a confusing spark straight through my chest. Equal parts panic and anticipation.

Before I could even begin to make sense of it, she clapped her hands and smiled as if she hadn’t just upended my entire emotional balance. “Oh! I’ve been meaning to ask. My wedding is this weekend.”

Both of my eyebrows lifted. “This weekend? Wow. That’s sooner than I realized. Are you all set?”

“Yep, and you’re coming,” she said, glowing as she let out a contented little sigh. “Please come? You have to. I really want you there.”

“I haven’t even met your fiancé,” I pointed out.

“You’ll meet him. Technically only after he becomes my husband, but details.” She laughed, utterly unbothered. “He’s wonderful. Busy, but wonderful.”

The excitement in her voice made it impossible to say no. Impossible to dampen that joy with my own tangled thoughts.

“I’d love to,” I said.