Page 45 of Sloane

“The end is in sight!”

“I don’t know what Dr. Russell’s assistant is going to do when she doesn’t have me to boss around anymore.”

“God, is she still at it?”

“I think she’s under the impression I report to her.”

“It sounds like you need a drink,” Craig observed.

“Yes! Although I’m just having one tonight. I can’t stay long; I have to be back at the hospital in the morning.”

I stole a glance at Ryan, who was now scowling. The dude really needed to work on his poker face.

Tammy was wearing a frown when she plunked down in her chair, and I quickly looked around the bar.

“Where’s Ash?”

“She’s in the restroom.”

I felt my own scowl forming. “What’s wrong?”

“Some drunk asshole made a comment about her birthmark while we were waiting for my drink. I think she just needs a minute to collect herself.”

I stood so fast that my chair tipped over and Tammy reached across the table, gesturing for me to sit back down.

“The bartender overheard him and had the bouncers escort him out before I even had a chance to tell him off. But of course, that drew attention to where we were waiting, something she hates more than anything.”

How the fuck did I miss that? I promised her I’d take care of her.

I picked up my chair and set it down with more force than necessary, and Tammy said in a hushed tone, “Don’t say anything to her about it. She specifically asked me not to mention it to you.”

I didn’t like the idea of not talking to her about it. As a matter of fact, I wanted to take her outside and have her point the guy out to me so I could beat the shit out of him. But I figured Tammy knew best about how to handle this, so I nodded once when I noticed Ashley headed toward our table.

She appeared and offered a smile that was obviously forced, but I just beamed brightly back at her, pretending to be oblivious to her hurt feelings.

I didn’t like that one bit.

And I wished I would have kept my mouth shut yesterday when she told me she was going to see someone about having her birthmark removed. I knew it made her uncomfortable at times—I should have been more supportive. I just thought it made her, her.

I was about to engage Tammy by asking her what she did for a living, when I felt someone’s arms come around me. My nostrils filled with the strong scent of a woman’s cologne. Adjusting in my chair, I turned to look at who was hugging me from behind.

Sara.

I’d hooked up with her once a few years ago, and while I hadn’t thought it’d been anything special, I must have been on my game that night because she’d been trying to score a repeat performance ever since.

I reached up to unclasp her hands that were resting around my neck and pivoted even more so she had no choice but to drop her arms away from me.

“Hey, Sara,” I said with a polite smile. “Thanks for coming.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t have missed a chance to see you.” She ran her hand up and down my right biceps.

I reached for Ashley’s hand and gave her a wink before asking Sara, “Did you meet my girlfriend, Ashley?”

I might have been jumping the gun with the label, but hopefully she wouldn’t mind in this situation.

Sara’s icy smile was so fake, even I could tell. And that was saying something because usually unless there was an actual catfight in front of me, I was oblivious to girl drama.

I squeezed Ashley’s hand, and she returned the gesture before smiling politely at Sara and telling her, “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”

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