Page 22 of Cocky M.D.
We headed toward the dining room. My new pink flats matched my skirt and fit like a glove, and they didn’t make sounds like my sneakers had.
“My grandfather says that’s the only way to tell if a man is worth any time in his day.”
“I see.”
We picked up plates to choose our food, and I asked, “How often do you see them?”
Johnny came in through another door and answered in a deep voice, “Twice a year.” My heart melted. His gray pants were clearly designed for him. My body ached for his touch as he came toward us like a bullet aimed at my heart. “And I plan to keep it that way.”
He stopped in front of Bradley and hugged him. “Good morning.”
I pressed my hand to my heart as he came to me next and kissed me. I tingled everywhere.
As he ended the kiss, he said, “And good morning to you.”
My lips puckered like they’d tasted the only nectar I needed but couldn’t have any more. My heart thumped as I tried to think of what to say next, but my phone rang in the back pocket of my skirt, and I pulled it out. “My sister in London is calling. I’ll be right back, as this won’t take long.”
Johnny picked up a plate and spoke with Bradley.
I glanced at both of them and dashed out to the balcony. It was on the third ring when I answered, almost out of breath, “Stephanie!”
“Off to work?” she asked.
My heart pounded as I said, “No. I’m…”
“Spit it out.” She could tell I was stalling.
I closed my eyes and ignored the singing birds, the green trees, and the colorful flowers that bloomed in the garden. No one was there. I put Stephanie on speakerphone and said, “I’m engaged.”
A chuckle escaped her throat, and she said, “The way you talked about the doctor as you were heading to his house, I figured you were in love.”
I paced as I opened my eyes and asked, “What?”
“I’ve never heard you mooning over any guy. It was nice, actually. You sounded sweet, and at least someone knocked your socks off once.”
I sat down on the railing. “How’s everything with you?”
“I have to drive to Scotland for the night, but I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Not really. It’s for work.”
If I focused on my sister and not on Johnny for a few minutes, maybe I would be okay. I swallowed and asked, “Are you nervous about your job?”
“No,” she said, then it sounded like she’d closed a door. “It’s literally the only thing I do here that makes sense. The rest of my life was a mess for a while. Work is where I make money and pay for my Jane Austen events. Who cares what big shot sits in the corner office. I’m here to earn the life I want.”
That was a good point, and at least she knew the world she wanted to live in. Fangirling might be fun if I had that sort of passion over anything, but my own life was a mess. And while my answer wasn’t as simple as focusing on work, I did get to take care of Bradley, and maybe Johnny was right. I needed to just enjoy myself and let go of dreams that might never happen. Stephanie had probably even said that to me in the past.
I sighed and stared at the doors that led inside. “I should go.”
“And you should send a photo of that ring of yours to the group chat and let Georgie, Indigo, Ridley, and Nicole know before I tell them.”
Fair point.I always hated to be last to know family news. “Please don’t. I don’t want to involve the others. Not yet.”
“Why?”
Unlike me, they were all happy and in love. I glanced up at the bright sky. I wished I had confidence and surety with all I did. “Because I need my heart to be settled.”
