Page 81 of The Doctors Will See You Now

“Get your stuff,” I instructed gently as everyone looked on. Marlene cursed under her breath, and I shot a warning glare in her direction. “Everyone else get back to work, or take your lunch to the break room.”

Melody complied, walking woodenly down the hall and coming back with her purse tucked over her shoulder.

Luckily, I already had my wallet in my pocket, so we moved right for the door.

Silence descended as we walked to the corner deli and ordered her another Italian sub and a second one for me and sat down at a table in the back—practically in the kitchen, actually. This was the absolute last time I needed prying eyes following my conversation and recording it to post on Instagram. Luckily, the owners knew me well, and as a favor, had started to keep this table empty for me, just in case.

“So…” I ventured, when she started to eat in silence.

Her eyes met mine over the bulk of her sandwich.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

She chewed quickly and set her sandwich down. “You saw what Marlene did! God, that woman is infuriating sometimes.”

“I did. But I’m asking what’s going on with you and me. You’re acting weird, Mel. Did I do something?” I asked earnestly. Because I honestly had no fucking clue.

She sighed once and then again before opening up to me. “No. I guess sort of, but not really. You’re just you.”

“Well, that narrows it down,” I teased, and for the first time today, she gave me a half smile.

“The show last night. You were so flirty. Flirtier than normal. And with a nurse.” She shrugged. “I guess I’m feeling a little jealous.”

I laughed and she scowled.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “It’s just…you have nothing to worry about. You’re the only woman I’m interested in. I swear.”

She nodded, but she still didn’t look sure.

God, I hated that uncertainty in her eyes. I didn’t want anyone else but Mel. She’d burrowed herself under my skin so deeply that I literally didn’t see anyone but her.

“Mel,” I started, just about ready to tell her I love you when she interrupted.

“I know. Really, it’s fine. It’s just been an off couple of days, you know. All the patients flirting with you all the time, watching you on the show. It just seems like someone turned a dial on these fucking women ever since you jerked off on camera. I’m fine, really.”

“I didn’t jerk off on camera, and you know it!” I defended on a near shout. I’d been loosening the laces on my sneaker, for fuck’s sake. But it was amazing what a camera angle could do.

She pursed her lips.

Noting that the moment felt a little too sour for first-time declarations, I reached into my pocket and slid the only other thing I had to offer over the table with a sigh.

“Another tongue depressor?” she asked, a small smile curling one corner of her mouth.

“Obviously,” I teased in my best Valley girl voice.

“Where do you keep them? Like, honestly, this is starting to get creepy.”

“Just read it,” I advised.

I watched as she looked down and studied my scrawl for far longer than it took to read that many words, but when her gaze finally met mine again, I had my Mel back.

“I’m pretty sure I’m always happy to see you.”

That makes two of us.

“Good evening,” Will greeted me at the door of his apartment after three short knocks.

The expediency with which he answered made it seem a little like he’d been waiting just on the other side.