Page 25 of Every Rose

Matt didn’t chuckle. He didn’t snort, guffaw or so much as smirk. Not until he got out of Jack’s room. Then he turned into an empty corridor and did all three. It wasn’t like patients didn’t try to set him up with their daughters. They did it all the time. But to have Dr. Vogue of all people offered to him by her well-meaning folks did have a certain comic appeal. They’d all but thrown in a few head of cattle and a set of steak knives if he’d promise to take their daughter off their hands.

He had to thank Rose’s parents. If it hadn’t been for Jack’s medical condition, he wouldn’t have seen the side of Rose that wasn’t cool and perfect all the time.

When she’d come to him, begging for his help with her dad, she hadn’t looked cool or perfect. She was a daughter determined to save her dad. Even though she’d told him that her parents weren’t snooty bluebloods, he hadn’t believed they’d be anything like Jack and Daphne, who were impossible not to like but about as sophisticated as a pair of Birkenstocks worn with hand-knitted socks. Then, having the pair of them not-so-subtly try to get him interested in Rose was the icing on the cake. Her mortified expression had been the best part.

He was still grinning when he hit the OR to deal with a torn lung.

The day was no better or worse than any other. He was heading out when his cellphone rang. He’d never believed for one second that Rose would call him to go to Alexei’s food truck, but it was Rose’s name on his call display.

“Matt Vasilopolous,” he said.

“Matt, I’m so glad I caught you. It’s Daphne Chance.”

“Daphne? What are you doing with Rose’s phone.”

“Oh, well, Rose is in the bathroom freshening up and I know what she’s like, she’s so convinced you’re too busy that she won’t even ask you to join us. So I thought I’d call you myself. We’d love to have you join us for dinner. The least I can do is buy a spanakopita for the man who saved my husband’s life.”

“Totally not necessary, Daphne. I was only doing my job.”

“Well, will you join us anyway? I’m sure we’ll get better service if you come along.”

Oh, it was too tempting. And besides, he was hungry. “You know, I haven’t had decent Greek food in weeks. I’d love to join you. Tell Rose I’ll meet you there.”

“Say, thirty minutes?

“Perfect.”

He hadn’t eaten at his brother’s place for a while, or even seen his bro for that matter. He had basketball later so it would be good to get some food in him. Naturally, watching Rose’s mother embarrass her with her heavy-handed matchmaking was going to be an extra bonus.

And to think, he’d imagined her family as some snooty, cold-blooded Easterners. No wonder Rose had believed she was adopted.

---