Page 67 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

She turned back to Trip.“Is it okay if I call you later?”

He looked relieved as he nodded.“I’d like that.I … I’m just going to say it—I don’t know how much you want me to step back now that Harper’s here.I know you won’t be spending the night with me anymore but …”

Her heart sank.“Are you saying we’re done?”

“No!”He came around the desk and closed his arms around her waist.“That’s the last thing I want, but I didn’t know—I still don’t know—what you’re thinking.”

“Shit.I’m sorry, Trip.I’ve been wrestling with it in my head, but I haven’t shared any of it with you, have I?”

“No, and I don’t want to pressure you.”

She stared into his eyes.“You mean pressure me to stay?”

He nodded.

“But you want me to?”

He stood a little straighter.“Yeah, honey, I do.I really want you to stay—but what matters is what you want.”

She rested her hands on his shoulders.“I want to stay.I want …”

“Well, forgive me for interrupting!But hello, kiddies!”

They stepped away from each other as they turned to face the door, where Harper was standing with a big grin on her face.

“I made it!”she announced as she came hurrying toward them.“Come and give me a hug, Shelley-Bells!”

Shelley had to laugh at the way her friend eyed Trip.

After they’d hugged, Harper stepped back.“We don’t need formal introductions, do we?I’m Harper.Shelley’s bestie—and you are the one and only Trip Harvey, also known as Dr.Dreamy!”

Shelley shook her head with a laugh as Trip held his hand out to shake, and Harper grabbed it to pull him in for a hug.

“You don’t mind me calling you that, do you?”she asked him.

Shelley loved the way he smiled as he said, “Not in the least.”He glanced at her, but she shook her head.

“I didn’t make it up—that’s all on Harper.”

He chuckled.“Damn, and here I was hoping.”

“If it’s any consolation,” Harper said, “I came up with it based on how she described you.”

Trip cocked an eyebrow at Shelley, and she laughed.“I’m saying nothing—and don’t you need to get to the hospital?”

“I do.”He turned to Harper and hugged her again before coming to kiss Shelley’s cheek.“I hope you ladies have a great afternoon catching up.”

“We will,” said Harper.

“I’ll forward the phone to my cell,” Shelley told him.

“You can try my cell if you need me—and you can always call Dawn if you can’t get ahold of me.”

“Okay.I’ll call you later.”

He held her gaze for a moment and nodded before he left.

“Holy crap, Shelley-Bells!”

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