Page 42 of New in Town

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MADDIE

As they step back into the lobby, disappointment settles heavy on Maddie. She doesn’t want to watch him go, the urge to leave with Grey tugging at her core. But there are still two of the families waiting from earlier, and a new woman has joined them in the lobby. She glances up curiously at Grey as they pass by, something Maddie is starting to grow accustomed to. He makes turning heads an art form.

Reaching the door, he pulls her outside into the balmy summer evening. It’s peaceful, the only sound being that of a cricket chirping nearby. He slides his hand into her hair and kisses her tenderly. Everything about him seems so purposeful. His ability to be gentle and supportive finds balance with his high-speed motorcycle rides and the brooding way he carries himself around others.

“If you think you’ll work late, call me. I’ll come back and take you home.”

“Grey, it takes meminutesto walk home. That would be a waste of your time to drive all the way back from the ranch.”

“Nothing that involves you is a waste of my time.” His voice is a caress in itself. And then with another kiss, he disappears into the darkness of the parking lot.

Maddie drags herself back into the clinic despite the pull towards him still raging. Her eyes pass over the lobby, sign-ins closed at seven with a goal to be closed by eight. With three families left, she has a feeling that she will indeed be working late.

* * *

Maddie walks along the tree lined sidewalk, the twilight sky cloudless overhead. She doesn’t want to admit that she wishes she’d have called Grey to take her home. If only just to have him with her again, particularly at her apartment. She’s felt a strong urge to invite him up after each date and she is quickly losing her resolve about it being a bad idea.

Reaching home, she drops her keys on the counter and deposits the leftover pizza box in the fridge. Moving into her room, she peels off her scrubs and opts for a bubble bath. While the tub fills, she sends a text to Grey.

Maddie

We didn’t work too late, I’m back home! Thank you for the pizza break today.

Grey

It was my pleasure.

Bath ready, she slides into the lavender scented bubbles and imagines the pleasure they were heading towards in her office tonight. She loosens a sigh, trying to push aside the memory of him between her legs. It’s a hopeless cause. Since meeting Grey, she’s never been able to push him from her mind.

Maddie

Dirty.

She imagines him huffing at his phone and smiles to herself. She’s about to put hers down when it rings. Specifically, notifying her of an incoming FaceTime call from Grey. Angling her camera so only her neck and up will be on screen, she answers the call.

“I needed proof that you made it home safe,” he says, his face appearing on screen. She can see that he’s in his cottage, from the looks of it on his sofa. And is he wearing a hoodie? Why is seeing Grey comfortable so hot?

“I am back in my apartment, safe and sound for the night.”

“Good. I hated leaving you like that. How did the rest of the walk-ins go?”

“They went well, nothing major came up. And the one lady even asked if she could schedule with me from now on.”

“You’re going to get too busy there soon. Just remember, you’re the official veterinarian for the ranch now. You’ll have to be able to make time for us.”

“In charge of the health of a whole livelihood. How could I forget that kind of pressure,” she laughs.

He laughs with her, and the sound is deep and relaxed. Maddie feels a thrill at the intimacy of this call. Something that would be done in a real relationship.

“Hey, thanks for telling me everything today too,” he says, his voice softening.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, fire away.”

“What are your hang ups you were talking about? Does it have to do with how you ended up in Brett’s family?

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