“Yeah,” I say meekly. “I’m fine. Thank you. And thank you for stepping in like that.”

He shrugs. “I don’t like bullies. And I don’t like guys like Todd Yelkin who think they’re entitled to whatever they want from whomever they want.”

“I see you’re familiar with him.”

“Unfortunately, so. Guy’s a punk.”

“Yes. Yes, he is,” I say. “Has been since he was a kid.”

“Hey, Doc, be with you in just a sec,” Billy beams as he steps out of the kitchen and holds a bag up. “Elodie, your order’s up.”

“Lunch for your grandmother?” Dr. Collier asks as he raises an eyebrow.

“Billy made something healthy for her,” I say with a laugh.

“Grilled chicken breast omelet,” he confirms. “Nothing fried, Doc. I promise.”

Collier smiles and his face transforms instantly. It makes him appear almost boyish. And although the stone-faced man who was about to tear Todd’s head off his shoulders got me soaking wet, the bright, boyish Dr. Collier is yet another facet of the man I’m seeing for the first time, and I find it just as hot. At this rate, I’m going to have to wring out my panties like a wet rag when I get home.

“Well, I’ll let you get home,” Dr. Collier says. “Tell your grandmother I said hello and I’ll check in with her soon.”

“I will,” I reply. “And again, thank you. Sincerely.”

His eyes meet mine, and it sends a quiver straight through my heart that runs down into my pussy. His eyes linger on mine for a long moment and that quiver intensifies. If I don’t get out of there soon, I may come just standing there looking at him.

“Anytime,” he finally says.

“I’ll … yeah … I’ll talk to you soon.”

Clutching the bag of food to my chest, I rush out of the diner, all but certain Dr. Collier knows how close he got to making me come just by looking at me. It’s mortifying. And yet, I’m almost certain I saw a glimmer in his eye that told me he knew it and he liked it.

6

ETHAN

“Results are good,” I say. “Your scans and all the additional testing are all in the normal range. I’d say you’re on the mend.”

“I feel good, Dr. Collier. Better than even before.”

“Well, let’s not rush things just yet. I’d encourage you to get up and walk around, just a little at a time, and get used to getting the blood flowing again.”

Unfettered joy crosses the older woman’s face, and she looks ready to leap out of that bed and run a marathon. Maryanne is a pretty active woman, so being bedridden for as long as she’s been has been tough on her. I know she’s been frustrated. But she looks like she’s bouncing back pretty well, which is always gratifying to see.

“Remember, I want you to go slow right now, Maryanne,” I caution her. “Short walks. Nothing too strenuous for a little while. Got it?”

“Nothing too strenuous. Got it.”

“I’m serious now.”

She laughs. “I understand. I’ll start slow.”

“I’m going to tell that granddaughter of yours. I’m going to instruct her to keep a close eye on you to make sure you’re not going crazy out there,” I tell her. “We’ll assess in a couple of weeks and devise a plan to get you back to being the active woman you normally are.”

“That sounds great. Really. And I promise to be good.”

“You better,” I say. “And you’ll want to keep refraining from Mam’s Medicine.”

“Well, there goes my good cheer.”