Page 25 of The Wingman

The idea of seeing happy couples everywhere tomorrow sends a streak of cold dread through me, though.

Hayden’s expression shifts, looking weirdly serious. “Hey, Darce? There was something I wanted to ask you?—”

“You must be Darcy,” a woman with thick auburn hair and a broad smile calls as she strides through the lobby on her heels. “Owens said you looked like the love child of a fairy sprite and a cupcake, and I see exactly what he means.”

She beams at me, and her whiskey-colored eyes are so shockingly pretty—everything about her is—that I’m stunned.

“Hi. I’m Georgia.”

I shake her manicured hand. With Hayden, I’m used to his charisma. I’ve had eight years to adjust, but with this woman? I feel like I just met a celebrity.

So this is one of the team doctors. Georgia can’t be more than thirty, but she carries herself with confidence I’ll never have. Her hair cascades around her shoulders in long curls. Her makeup’s impeccable and her freckles are adorable. Her brown tweed coat is professional yet stylish, and it’s an unexpectedly perfect match to her emerald-green velvet heels. Her dress slacks end just above a voluminous green velvet bow on each ankle strap. I bet she had these pants hemmed especially for these shoes.

“Wow.” I blink at her, and she and Hayden chuckle. “Hi.” I arch an eyebrow at Hayden. “Fairy sprite cupcake?”

He just shrugs and smiles.

Georgia gives him a wry look. “You should hear the things he says about you. When we go for lunch, he’s like, Darcy this, and Darcy that?—”

“She’s exaggerating,” Hayden interrupts, and the tips of his ears go pink.

Delight spreads through me, and I bite back a smile. I’m about to tease him, but the elevator dings, the doors open, and Alexei steps out with his bag and jacket on, probably heading to the parking garage. Our eyes meet and he gives me an approving nod.

“Darcy,” he says as a greeting before glancing at Georgia with a grumpy expression. “Got your claws in her already, Dr. Evil?”

She stiffens. “Who let you out of the care home, Grandfather?”

His features harden and his gaze drops to her feet, lingering. “Those aren’t office appropriate.”

“That’s rich from someone with four teeth.”

She gives him a cool smile, undeterred by his intimidating presence. His nostrils flare, and Hayden and I watch them like a tennis match. I’m in awe; she’s my new icon.

“I have all my teeth,” Alexei says in a low, deadly voice.

“For now. You’ve broken every other bone, so it’s only a matter of time until you’re spitting Chiclets. I’m shocked you don’t have a reserved parking spot at the hospital.”

I make a curious expression at Hayden, and his eyebrows bob once, eyes lit up with amusement.

Alexei towers over her, staring down at her with a hard set to his jaw. “You’re not my doctor anymore. Don’t waste valuable energy on me that you can be using to find a rich husband.”

Georgia just sighs like she’s tired of him. “That’s enough male energy for today.” She makes a shooing motion at the guys before looping her arm through mine. “We’re going to go spend money now.”

“What you do best,” Alexei mutters under his breath, walking away.

Hayden snorts. “I’ll see you at home, Darce. Have fun. Bye, Georgia.”

“Wait.” I take a step toward him, and Alexei pauses, waiting for Hayden. “You wanted to ask me something.”

Hayden’s brows snap together, and he glances between the other two. “I’ll just ask you later, at home. It’s not important.”

As they leave, Alexei gives Georgia a lingering hostile stare over his shoulder. She does a friendly finger wave, but the second his back is turned, her hand flips to a middle finger.

“I’m guessing you and Alexei don’t really get along,” I say as we leave the lobby.

We step outside and she smiles up at the sky. “Oh, good, it’s not raining.” Her eyes slide to me. “Let’s just say it’s a good thing I’m not the Russian’s doctor anymore. My scalpel might slip and cut off his favorite part.”

I chuckle. “You don’t operate on players.”

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