Page 206 of The Doctors Will See You Now

“And?” Harlow put a demanding hand to her hip. “This situation definitely warrants an and, followed up by an actual explanation.”

“And I got nervous,” my mom piped up. I leaned over Harlow’s shoulder to glare at her, but she pressed on, unfazed. “I know how important they are to your father, and well, I’d like to make a good impression.”

Harlow sighed. “Still not seeing how this brings us here. With you guys naked in my apartment.”

My mom shrugged. “Orgasms tend to calm me.”

Oh Jesus Christ.

“Your apartment was close,” Bill finished. “When we got here and it was empty, we figured we’d be quick.”

“Good Lord, no more details, please,” Harlow requested with her gaze firmly placed on the wall. “And I’m really regretting giving you that spare key, Dad.”

I stepped in to assist. “Look, guys, we’ll give you a minute to get dressed, but it’s safe to say this isn’t exactly appropriate.”

Bill had the good grace to wince. My mother’s stubbornness kicked in. “I don’t know, son. Looks like this might be an example of the stalking pot calling the kettle inappropriate.”

Count on Nicole fucking Shepard to call me on my shit.

“Gee, thanks, Mom.” It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her that Linda wasn’t always up in my shit, but even in the midst of her naked hijinks, that seemed like a low blow.

“Scott,” Harlow interjected. “Let’s go outside and talk.”

I nodded, looking back at our parents one more time and allowing myself a little smile as I shook my head. I mean, Jesus. That deserved at least a little amusement.

I followed Harlow in silence, and we went back out her door, down the stairs, and outside, taking a seat on the stairs of the stoop.

She waited patiently while I worked up the nerve to explain myself.

It was completely unlike her and made me even more nervous.

“I’m sorry I stalked you.”

“Yeah, that was a tad over the top,” she replied immediately.

“I know,” I admitted. “I talked myself out of it a couple of times, but then, yeah, it just happened anyway. I don’t know how, but I can’t change it now.”

“Tell it to the cops,” she teased. Or…God. I hoped she was teasing.

“Harlow—”

“What the hell, Scott?”

“I know,” I said on a sigh. “But I guess I was feeling insecure.”

“You? Dr. Erotic? Insecure?”

“See, that’s the thing. I’m not just that guy. And, yeah, I guess sometimes, Scott Shepard isn’t immune to getting insecure.”

She scoffed and I nodded.

“I know, it surprised me too. I’m normally so awesome,” I divulged, and she bit her lip just a tiny bit as she studied my face like a map, trying to get a read on me—and perhaps trying not to laugh at my obvious joke.

“And you were constantly dodging me about your apartment. I should know where you live, Low.”

“Why?”

My eyebrows pulled together. “Why what?”