Page 129 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“I imagine there’s a lot to think about when you get together with all the guys.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

“I mean, you all must’ve been through a lot together.And you don’t see them all that often anymore.It must bring it all back.”

He smiled as he ran his fingers down her cheek.“Not really,” he said.“Yeah, we went through a lot together—but it’s not like it was the only period of our lives that we spent together.We’ve all known each other since kindergarten.”

She laughed at that.“You know, every time Travis says that, I picture you two together.I’d love to see photos, if you have any.”

He chuckled.“I’ll have to dig some out for you.You have to promise not to laugh, though.I’m the puny little one.”

She tightened her arms around his waist.“There’s nothing puny about you.You’re awesome.”

“You have to say that—you’re biased.”

She laughed.“Of course I am.I love you.”

“I love you too, honey.”

She looked over his shoulder at the sound of a vehicle approaching.“Here comes Trav now.Are you ready to go?”

He held her a little closer.“I want to say I’m as ready as I’ve ever been—but that’s not true.I’m readier than I’ve ever been.”

She gave him a puzzled look, and for a moment he was worried that she might ask what it was he was ready for.

He relaxed when instead she asked, “Readier?Is that, like… rightest?”

“It is,” he said.“More than you know.”

She still looked puzzled, but she stepped back.“I want to ask what you mean—but you’d best not keep Trav waiting.I hope you have fun with the guys.I’ll see you back here this afternoon, right?”

“You will.I won’t be all day.How about you?Are you going to hang out with Harper after you spend some time with Jim?”

“I think so.She was shopping in Bozeman yesterday, apparently—and she bought a whole bunch of outfits.She said she has something that might suit me to wear tonight.”

“I hope she found you something you like.”

She chuckled.“You mean you hope she found something thatyoumight like?”

He shook his head solemnly.“No, honey, I really don’t.What I like is you.What you’re wearing doesn’t really matter.”

He let his gaze travel slowly down from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.

“Although I will say that I love it when you wear my pajamas.Other than that… as long as you like what you wear, then I love it.I’ve told you before, and I’ll never stop telling you—you’re beautiful to me.”

She pressed a quick kiss to his lips.“Okay, sweet talker.Thank you.I love you too.Now go let Trav in.”

Travis smiled at him as he climbed into the passenger seat of his truck.

“How you doing, buddy?You ready to do this?”

“I am.I can’t wait.”

“I never thought I’d see you this way—but I like it.”

“I do too.I like it a lot.”

“I love that you’ve included all the guys, too.I wish I’d thought of it.”

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