Page 28 of Doctorshipped
“How was tutoring?” she asks, plopping in our oversized chair across from where I’m sitting cross-legged on the sofa with my laptop open to one of my current works in progress.
“It was good, actually. I decided to kill Grant with kindness.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Like, why let his grumpiness affect me? I’m going to be unapologetically me. He’s just a raincloud. I’m the freaking sun.”
“That’s what I’m saying!”
“Right? And besides, Fiona is beyond adorable. I had her watch this really inspiring video on YouTube by a guy who’s dyslexic. He shares about all these geniuses who were dyslexic, and then he talks about his own experience. He puts such a positive spin on life with dyslexia.
“I think Fiona even teared up while we were watching, though she didn’t look in my direction, so I can’t be sure. She was captivated by the video, and at the end she turned and hugged me.
“Did I tell you she plays hockey? She played on an all-girls’ team, but when she aged out of that league, the only team available was an all-boys’ team. So, she begged her parents and tried out for that team as the only girl. She’s tough as nails and so sweet.”
“Awww. You’re in love.”
“I think I am.” I sigh. “Who knew.”
“Well, she’s lucky to have you.”
“Thanks. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect going into tutoring. I just figured I could always use the extra cash. If it weren’t for Grant, this position would be perfect.”
Shannon smiles. Her eyes search my face.
She stands up. “Okay. I’m going to change. I do not want to wear the same clothes I wore to the office and the salon out to eat with the girls.”
After Shannon goes upstairs to get ready, we leave to meet three of our closest friends at the local burger place. When we arrive, they already have a table.
“Here comes the bride!” Laura, Shannon’s oldest and closest friend, and the owner of the town hair salon, shouts from the table.
Our other two friends, Lexi and Em, start humming the wedding march. Em didn’t grow up here, but she’s found her way right into the middle of our friend group, and is as much a part of our tight-knit circle as the rest of us.
Everyone in the place turns and smiles at us when they hear Lexi and Em break into song. People greet us. We stop and chat. It’s how things are around here. You don’t go out of the house without bumping into a bunch of people you know, and when you see them, you can’t just wave and pass by. You have to linger and get caught up on one another’s lives—even if you just saw each other yesterday.
“We already ordered for you,” Laura says when we finally make it to the table to sit down. “Bacon cheeseburger and onion rings for you, and avocado swiss burger with fries for you.”
“What if I want something different?” I tease.
I never want something different.
“You don’t,” Laura says, winking at me. “I’m not saying you’re predictable, but …”
“I’m predictable.”
The bell over the front door jingles and heads turn to see who’s coming in.
Shannon has a straight shot from her seat, so she sees who it is before I do. When her eyes meet mine, the look on her face tells me everything, I know.
Grant.
“Miss Jayme!” Fiona shouts from across the room.
I turn and wave, smiling big at her. How can I not?
“Ohhh, is that the new doctor?” Laura asks.
Lexi leans in and whispers, “He’s gorgeous.”
