Page 22 of Whiskey Wednesdays

“Hey, Isabella.” Laurel hugged me and handed me a glass of champagne.

I sat down next to Jonathan and Ramone.

“Hello, darling. How are you settling in?” Ramone asked.

“Well, I haven’t been accused of felony burglary this week, so I think it’s going well.”

Jonathan chuckled. “I’m glad you can joke about it. What’re you doing here in Palm Springs?”

I told them about my dad working for Connor, and me doing the last of my clinical rotations here.

Ramone clapped his hands. “I’ve been wanting to go to a hockey game. All that testosterone and male aggression.” He turned to Jonathan. “We should plan it.”

Jonathan nodded and studied me. “Have things gotten any better with Connor?”

I shrugged. “No, but I like hanging out with his little girl.”

Jonathan smiled. “You have a kind heart. You remind me of Laurel.”

“That’s probably the sweetest compliment I’ve gotten from someone who isn’t legally obligated to be nice to me.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek.

I saw Harley and Damien walk in. They looked like they’d just had fast, dirty sex in the parking lot. His shirt was untucked, her halter dress was tied crooked, and they both had messy hair. Well, I was happy someone got lucky on New Year’s Eve.

Laurel had also introduced me to Sebastian’s cousin, Martina, who lived with her at her house in the Deepwell Estates. The first thing Martina tried to do was talk me into going to karaoke night with her.

“It’s the shit. Even if you don’t sing,” she coaxed.

“I don’t want you to get your hopes up, so I’m just going to be honest. It’s never going to happen.”

She raised her champagne glass and grinned. “I love it when someone gives me a good challenge.”

Chapter 7

Iwent by the sports medicine clinic and met the staff and two doctors I’d be working with there. Dr. Rasmussen had a lean, muscular frame and black rim glasses that made me think of Austin Powers.

“Hey, Isabella. Call me Ben.” He introduced me to the staff, and we went to Dr. Singhal’s office. Ben rapped on the doorframe. “Sumit, our PA intern is here.”

Dr. Sumit Singhal swiveled around in his chair and looked up at me with a wide smile. He had dark tan skin, and laugh lines around his eyes.

“Isabella Cruz. It’s nice to meet you. Your former clinical placements gave you glowing reviews.” He stood up and shook my hand. “And I think the hockey team will appreciate having you at the clinic.”

Ben chuckled, then coughed in his fist. I looked over at him curiously.

We talked about what I’d be doing for them, and they discussed the hockey team’s schedule.

“We’re contracted to have a staff member or intern at the arena before and after practices,” Dr. Singhal said. “You’ll spend two days a week at the arena helping out and providing basic medical care after practice, then attending the at-home hockey games with Ben.”

I nodded. “That sounds good. It’ll be different from what I’ve done so far.”

“If there’s an injury during a game, we’d assess and treat it,” Ben added. “I’ll be there with you at the games, but usually not at the practices.”

Dr. Singhal grinned and rubbed his hands together. “Some of the players are a bit cheeky but harmless. It’ll be fun.”

Ben stood up and pointed down the hall. “Come on, I’ll finish showing you around.”

That evening after I got home from the clinic, I went over to Dad’s house for dinner. He and Elodie had made spaghetti together, and she planned to eat with us. Elodie wore purple and white striped leggings and a red print top. Her outfit clashed horribly and her hair was in a lopsided ponytail.

“Did your dad do your hair this morning?”

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