Page 31 of Paging Dr. Summers

I hated that she was upset, but I was glad she felt comfortable opening up to me. It made me feel like a real person again. Like her big brother. The guy who always used to do his best to protect her.

“Eden, your life is going to be better than good. I promise.”

She clung tighter to me. “Thanks for letting Sophie and me crash here this summer. I just needed this place.”

“Me too.”

“Remember when Dad would tell us a day at the lake will solve almost any ill? I think he lied.” She laughed.

“It’s not a bad view, though.”

“No, it’s not.” She looked out over the horizon. “I love this place. I always have.”

“Our happy place,” I sighed, not feeling all that happy.

“You know.” Eden looked up at me. “You’re going to get your different good too.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Are you really?” She was skeptical, for good reason.

“Yeah, I’m trying.”

“Then why did you give your coworker Brooke’s number?”

I should have seen this coming. I blew out a large breath. “That’s not exactly what happened. Dr. Everett asked if I’d be willing to pass along his number to Brooke, and I did. She chose to call him.”

“It doesn’t matter how the number got passed along. They’re going on a date.” Eden sounded dramatically horrified.

“So?” I let go of Eden, clenching my fists, pretending to be unaffected by this news. I could have predicted this turn of events, given Brooke’s starry eyes on Sunday, when she looked at Dr. McDreamy or whatever it was she’d called him. I was thinking more like Dr. McDouchebag. Brooke was there to seemeon Sunday, but the way he’d flirted with her as she left, you’d never know it.

“So?” Eden spat. “You’re being an idiot. It’s obvious you like her.”

“What’s not to like?” I mumbled.

“That’s my point. Why haven’t you asked her out?”

“She’s too young for me, and my wife died, and all Brooke wants is a summer fling.” I listed every excuse I could think of. “Besides, Dr. Everett is more her speed and closer to her age.”

Eden rolled her eyes. “More her speed? What does that even mean? And you wouldn’t be breaking any age-gap records if you dated. Not even close. You’re both in your thirties.”

“She was nine when I started college.”

“Oh, my gosh, call the news. What a scandal,” Eden mocked me.

“Please, just drop it. I’m not dating Brooke.”

“That’s a shame. I think she’d be good for you. And maybe a fling is exactly what you need. All fun and no commitment. It’s not a bad way to get back on the horse.”

“Then maybe you should have a fling,” I zinged back at her.

“Uh, hello, I’m a mom of a preteen girl. What kind of example would that set? Besides, I like dancing solo. You don’t.”

I wasn’t sure I was buying what she was selling, but I didn’t argue with her. Regardless ... “I don’t want to be one of those guys.”

“What does that mean?”

“You know, the guys who date younger women to feel better about themselves.”

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