Page 20 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

She pursed her lips as though giving her statement careful consideration.“If anything, I wonder how he’s doing.I hope he’s doing well.I… I don’t know.Whatever I feel, it’s kind of… neutral, you know?”

“It’s different for you.I feel bad that I pissed you off when I talked about the remote.But it’s not just tonight.I’ve noticed it whenever her name is mentioned, you get kind of… prickly.”

He nodded slowly.“You’re right.I do, but it’s not because I still have any feelings for her.”He frowned.“At least, not those kinds of feelings.Resentful is probably the best word for the way I feel.”

He met her gaze.“She was a difficult woman—and that’s not just me.You can ask anyone.And to say that she made our divorce difficult would be an understatement.”

He looked around the room, remembering the hard time he’d gone through while he and Katrina were negotiating their divorce.

“She wanted this place.”

Shelley inhaled sharply.“Seriously?How did she even think that was a possibility, let alone a good idea?I mean… this place was your family home.Your dad built it for your mom.Even I know that, and I haven’t known you all that long.How on earth…?”

He shook his head.“Don’t ask me to explain her reasoning.I never could.All I can tell you is that I think she loved this house—and what she saw as the prestige that came from living here—more than she ever loved me.”

He felt bad when Shelley gave him a sympathetic look.

“Don’t feel bad for me.It was my own damn fault.If I’m honest, I was kind of full of myself when I was younger.I thought I deserved a woman like her.”

He gave her a wry smile.“Turns out I did.I deserved everything I got.She was a beautiful woman,” he continued.“I’m sure she still is.I thought that mattered.I think in her mind, it’sallthat matters.But the thing is…”

He shook his head.“There are so many things that matter so much more.Things like kindness.Compassion.Just basic human decency.”He made a face.“Shit.I don’t mean to badmouth her—I’m just … You asked if I get irritated because I still have feelings for her.The simple answer is no, but I feel like I owe you more than just a simple answer.I think the real explanation is that I’m still irritated with myself.”

He let out a breath.“I’m irritated that I was foolish enough—and, let’s face it, shallow enough—back then to put her good looks ahead of what really matters.”

He shrugged.“And… thanks.”

She gave him a puzzled look.

“I don’t think I ever really understood that until now, and if you hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have figured it out.”

He was relieved when she smiled and said, “Then I’m happy to have been able to help.”

He picked up his glass.“And now, I’ll return the favor and help you out by zipping it so you can enjoy the next movie.”

A rush of warmth filled his chest when she met his gaze and said, “Thanks.But I hope you know that most of the enjoyment comes from being here watching it with you.”

~ ~ ~

Shelley enjoyed the beginning of the movie, but before too long, she noticed her eyes kept drifting shut.She didn’t know why—she wasn’t tired.Maybe it was all the good food and good wine.

She stole a glance at Trip, but he was engrossed in the movie.He’d kept his word and stayed quiet for most of the evening.Maybe that was why she felt so relaxed around him.

He shot her a smile.“Do you want to call it a night?Are you falling asleep over there?”

She shook her head.She really didn’t want the evening to be over.

“Put your feet up if you like.You might as well be comfortable,” he told her.

She smiled when an idea struck her.It might be a terrible idea, but there was only one way to find out.

Instead of putting her feet up on the cushions between them, she moved over and lay down, resting her head on his lap and stretching her feet out at the other end of the sofa.

The shocked look on his face made her laugh.

“Is this okay?”she asked.“Youdidsay I could put my feet up.”

She relaxed when a big smile spread across his face.

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