Page 1 of Knocked Up by the Doctor

1

Raine

“Okay,the goal tonight is for you to let your hair down and have fun. Do you think you can do that?” Lexie, my boss, says as we walk inside the gallery.

“Yes,” I answer, wanting to roll my eyes because she’s been on my case all day that tonight is my night for fun. It should be her night since the exhibit is in honor of her photographs.

“Baby,” Ryder guides his wife over to the side and smiles down at her. I sigh wistfully at the way he looks at her. I want a guy to look at me with the amount of love he does. Day in and day out, I watch as they fall more in love with each other, making me wonder if there’s love out there for me. “Leave poor Raine alone and let her have fun in her own right.”

“I know,” she turns to me and pouts. Her big blue eyes are looking at me like I kicked her puppy dog. “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”

“For wanting me to have fun? How can I be mad at you for that?” Lexie isn’t only my boss. She’s my best friend as well. Actually, I’m a bit of a loner, and she’s my only friend. If I give you my time, it’s because you’re important to me since normally I’d much prefer to sit at home curled up on the couch reading a book.

“I only want you to have fun.” Before she can say anything else, Ryder wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her away.

“Have a good night, Raine,” Ryder says as he drags his wife away. They don’t get far before a group of people surrounds them.

I skirt around the mass of people and take in Lexie’s pictures that hang on each wall. My chest swells with how proud I am of all that she’s accomplished.

Looking at one of the many pictures she’s taken of Ryder, I smile and blush at the memory of when the picture was taken. It’s of the day they met.

“Drink?” A man in a way too tight t-shirt asks me.

I don’t normally drink, but since I’m not driving, why not? Grabbing a glass of Champagne off the tray, I take a sip as I move onto the next photo.

This one is from before I started working for Lexie. It’s a beautiful landscape that I can’t identify. The colors and shadows she captured draw the eye in. I feel the heat by my side before a low, husky voice washes over me. “She’s got a great eye.”

“That she does.” Turning toward the voice, I look up, up, and then up some more before I’m met with eyes the color of honey. I’m mesmerized, unable to speak as I take in the man before me. He’s got a couple of days of scruff covering his strong, high cheekbones that lead me back to his sultry eyes. He’s extremely tall, but just about everyone is, compared to my four-foot ten-inch stature. Not only is he tall, but even though he’s wearing a suit, I can tell he’s well-built underneath. His dark gray suit is tailored to showcase every bulge, and I meaneverybulge. I gulp down the rest of my Champagne as I take in the snake in his pants.

“Mm-hmm,” he clears his throat. My entire body heats with embarrassment at being caught gawking at his junk. “Ah, there they are.”

“Where what are?” I ask, my brows pulling down with confusion.

“Your beautiful eyes,” he says with a smile that renders me speechless.

I’m not sure how long I stand there gaping like a fish out of water before my brain kicks back on. Is this hottie flirting with me?

“Are you talking to me?” I look around and see it’s only the two of us. I have a Baby carrying a watermelon in Dirty Dancing moment and feel my entire body flush.

He’s chuckling as he takes a sip of his champagne. “If I knew beautiful women like yourself came to these kinds of events, I’d come more often.”

Did I fall asleep on the way here? Because I have to be dreaming. I don’t think anyone has ever called me beautiful before. Cute? Yes. Adorable? More times than I can count. But no man has ever referred to me as beautiful.

“You’re not dreaming,” he laughs.

Oh my god, I can’t believe I said that out loud. Am I drunk already? I look at my flute and see it’s nearly empty.

Tall, dark, and handsome must think I want another because he stops a waiter who’s passing by and grabs two more flutes, handing one to me.

“I’m not sure I should have more.” But even after I say it, I finish off my first drink and then take a sip of the one he just handed me. I need all the liquid courage I can get to talk to this man.

“Why not?” His eyes crinkle at the corners, making him seem a little more on my level.

“I’m already blurting out what I mean to be thinking. Next, I’ll be spilling embarrassing secrets.”

He moves closer, eyes lit with something like excitement. “Do you have many secrets?”

Actually, I have none, but being mysterious seems to be intriguing him, so I’m not going to give away how boring I am.

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