Page 40 of Paging Dr. Summers

I had a feeling the answer was Logan.

That was a problem. A big, big problem.

I HAD TO STOP MYSELF from constantly staring at Brooke Monday afternoon as we trekked with our fellow adventurers through the dense forest to the crunch of rocks beneath our boots, as we made our way toward the first platform of the zip-lining course. Even in a helmet and harness, she looked incredibly sexy.

But her cautious demeanor puzzled me; she was unusually quiet during the drive, only commenting on the beauty of the landscape as we crossed over to the California side of the lake. It made me wonder if her Friday night date with that yahoo,Dr. McDreamy, had gone well and if she was wishing he were her companion instead of me.

As far as I knew, Brooke hadn’t mentioned the date to Eden, and Dr. Everett and I hadn’t shared a shift at the hospital since last Thursday—an arrangement I was grateful for. I kept waiting for him to show up and spill the details of his date with Brooke. It was just the kind of thing he would brag about.

He’d made a point to ask me, as Brooke’s friend, if I thought she would like a sunset cruise. I swore he was taunting me using the wordfriend, knowing it would get under my skin.

I was ashamed to admit how much it had and how curious I was about how their date had gone. For all I knew, they’d been on more dates, seeing as I’d worked the entire weekend. However, part of me hoped theyhadhit it off. That way, I could work her out of my system and move on with my life. Or at least go back to just mourning my wifeand not constantly feeling guilty for wanting to date a woman Erica would probably dislike, while simultaneously becoming the epitome of a midlife crisis.

I finally decided just to be a man and ask. What was the worst she could say? That she’d found her summer fling? If I were smart, that would make me happy. But being with her today only spoke to how unintelligently I was dealing with the situation.

“So, how did your date with Dr. Everett go? Are you going to be able to check another item off your bucket list?” I tried to sound casual, like a friend, but I wasn’t sure how well I pulled it off. And oddly, she hadn’t used the wordfriendthe entire day.

Brooke looked down at her boots. “Actually, it didn’t go so well.”

I was unprepared for the rush of relief that surged through me upon hearing their date was a bust, and the fear that roared in my chest.

“Did he do something to you?” I was ready to beat the hell out of him if he had, even though it would probably cost me my medical license. At that moment, I didn’t care. All I cared about was protecting Brooke.

“No,” she giggled. “I actually did something to him. He almost choked on a melon ball because of me.”

A laugh like I hadn’t laughed in months erupted and spilled out.

She pursed her lips before saying, “It’s not funny.” But not even she could contain her smile. “Okay, it was kind of funny—you know, after I knew he was going to be okay. I don’t know. He was too shiny, almost like an illusion.”

Ah. Now her latest podcast episode made more sense. “Like ‘Hotel California’?” I surmised.

Her cheeks pinked in the most adorable way. “You listened to my new episode, I take it?”

“I did. It was excellent.”

“Thank you.” She beamed. “I was trying to be covert about it just in case Sebastian listened to it, but I don’t think he will. He said he didn’t really enjoy podcasts. Can you believe that?”

“That’s ridiculous,” I agreed, even though I actually didn’t begrudge anyone who didn’t like podcasts—except that tool, Dr. Everett.

That earned me another one of her perfect smiles. I’d missed them.

“After my date with him, it just got me thinking about how my mom had warned me that sometimes things shine because of the layers of gloss or varnish added to them to deceive you into thinking they aren’t flawed. Mom always said it was better to have something that was a little chipped and worn because it was real and you knew what you were getting. ‘Hotel California’ is a reminder that sometimes temptations, no matter how shiny they are, can trap you.”

I wanted to hug Brooke. Her judgment of Dr. Everett was spot on, in my opinion. But I kept my hands to myself. I was still reeling from all the hand holding and tattoo touching the week before. I’d made some lame excuse about wanting to help her apply the healing ointment to ensure she didn’t miss any spots. It was my doctorly duty.

“So, you think he’s a shiny trap?” It was sad how badly I wanted her to say yes.

“Well ...,” she exaggerated. “Let’s just say he was too polished.”

It wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. “So, does this mean you won’t be going out with him again?” I held my breath, waiting for her reply.

Who she went out with was none of my concern. But as her friend, I supposed it gave me the right to care. Unfortunately, my feelings for her were becoming something more than friendly.

“I don’t think so. I can cross another summer fling candidate off the list.”

Slowly, I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Maybe it will be the one item you aren’t able to complete.” I knew my reasons for saying that were purely selfish. Brooke was free to date whomever she chose. I just wished it could be me. But that wasn’t a viable option. I’d resigned myself to a summer of torture being Brooke’s friend. Anything to be around her.

“I won’t think like that. Mom wrote it out in bold letters, and I’m taking life to the limit this summer. My summer fling is out there. I know it.”

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