Page 36 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

"But...?"

"But when I got back from the hospital, she was working on drawing up the ad to find her replacement."

Travis frowned."Wasn't that always the plan?"

"Yeah."

"But now you don't want it to be the plan."

"I ...I don't know."

"Well, then you need to figure it out, and fast, don't you?I like Shelley; you know that.If I thought you were interested in pursuing something with her, I would have been a lot more vocal about it before now.But I know you, or at least I thought I did.You're not interested...are you?"

Trip shrugged."I didn't think I was.I thought we'd be okay to have some fun for the last few weeks that she's here, but..."

Travis grinned."But the thought of her leaving has made you come to your senses."

"Maybe."

"You're still not sure?"

He shook his head."It feels like I'm sure, but maybe I'm just getting carried away."He took another slug of his beer."That's probably it.It just took me by surprise.And after we had such a good time this weekend, and things have still been good between us at work this week, seeing her getting things ready so that she can leave just caught me off guard.I don’t know, Trav.I … I need to figure it out."

"That's what you need to do," said Travis."Make your mind up.And make your move."

Trip nodded."Or let it go."

Travis chuckled."Maybe, but I don't think so."

~ ~ ~

By the time Friday afternoon came around, Shelley had started to think that whatever she and Trip had started last weekend was already over.He seemed different, and the only thing she could put it down to was that he regretted sleeping with her.He only had a few appointments this afternoon, and she was starting to think that she might just do what he always said she could and leave early.If he needed to make follow-up appointments for anyone, he could just make a note of them, and she'd deal with it on Monday.

She took her phone out of her purse when she heard it beep with an incoming text.She smiled when she saw Harper's name on the screen.

Harper: Hey, you.Sorry the week got away from me.And I know your time there is ticking down—unless you decided to stay.What do you think?Should I make plans to come visit or not?

Shelley: Absolutely.I don't think I'll be staying.So, you should get here as soon as you can.

Harper: Oh, no.Does that mean things aren't good with your sexy doctor?

Shelley: Things are fine.

Harper: You only use the word fine when things really aren't fine.What are you doing tonight?Want to talk?

Shelley made a face to herself.She might as well agree to talk to Harper.It sure didn't look like she'd be spending any time with Trip tonight or over the weekend.

Shelley: I'll shoot you a text when I get home.

Harper: Are you sure you're okay?

Shelley: I want to say I'm fine again, but you won't believe that.It's all okay, I promise.

Harper: Okay.I'll get it out of you later.

Shelley slipped her phone back into her purse when Trip's door opened.She smiled at Millie Jennings, who had just come out.Millie gave her a nod as she left.Shelley watched Trip's door for a few moments, wondering if he'd come out to chat or if he'd hide out in there between appointments, like he seemed to have done for the last couple of days.She was tempted to go and knock and ask him if everything was all right.She didn't like what felt like tension between them, and she'd rather have it resolved than drag on.

Just as she was thinking that she should probably go talk to him, his door opened.Her heart leaped into her chest when he came out and smiled at her.He looked more like the man she'd seen on Sunday—warm and friendly—and less like the harried doctor she'd been dealing with for the last couple of days.He came over and leaned his elbows on the reception desk.The way he was smiling gave her no choice but to smile back at him.

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