Page 97 of Doctorshipped
I glance around. Everyone else is busy chatting.
Leaning in toward Shannon, I whisper, “I was kissing Grant.”
Shannon squeals loudly. Whatever you’re imagining, it was louder than that. She slaps a hand over her mouth. Of course that outburst draws the eyes of not only our entire friend group, but a hush momentarily falls across the whole crowd. People look over at us.
Shannon drops her hand and both of us make an attempt to feign innocent expressions. Everyone resumes whatever they were doing—everyone but our friends. They circle around like a pack of hyenas, salivating and eager for whatever we’re about to share. Which is nothing, if I have anything to say about it.
“Oh, sorry!” Shannon says. “Jayme just reminded me that I was supposed to …”
“Supposed to do laundry today.” I fill in on the fly.
“Yep. Laundry day. A whole trip’s worth of laundry … shirts, pants, socks, swimsuits, undies … the works,” she blathers.
I can’t blame her. I did foist the whole laundry alibi on her without warning.
“We already did laundry, Hollywood,” Duke unhelpfully adds, using his pet name for Shannon. “I’d think you remember laundry day.”
He waggles his eyebrows like “laundry day” means something entirely different than washing clothes to the two of them.
Shannon turns a fine shade of pink.
“I do remember,” she says to Duke, totally seeming to forget the rest of us are listening to them.
Duke is at her side in two strides. He bends in and murmurs something in her ear and she giggles. Then she places a flat palm on his chest and playfully pushes him away. He kisses her temple and wraps an arm around her shoulder. She leans in and I instantly remember what it felt like being held by Grant.
“I’m talking to Jayme right now,” Shannon says, looking up at Duke.
“Be my guest,” Duke says, not budging an inch. “Jayme doesn’t mind if I’m here. Do ya’ James?”
I shake my head and roll my eyes. Duke is like the world’s most endearing golden retriever. He’s big, fun-loving, affectionate, and even when he causes trouble, you have to forgive him because he’s just so lovable.
“Right now, it’s girl talk,” Shannon tells Duke. “And don’t even start with me about how you’re just one of the girls. You so aren’t.”
“I’m glad we straightened that out,” he says with a wink. “Don’t you forget it.”
“I’m sure you won’t let me,” she teases.
“Not ever,” he says with a smile that causes the corner of his eyes to crinkle.
Duke walks over toward Brooks and Aiden. Shannon grabs my arm by the elbow and nearly dislocates my shoulder with how fast she’s dragging me away from prying ears.
Once we’re a little distance away from the crowd, Shannon says, “Soooo, tell me everything! Oh my gosh!”
“I know!” I shake my head.
I can’t stop smiling. Not that I want to.
“It’s crazy. He was all grumpy and frowny and shut off, and then he asked if Brooks and I were in a relationship.”
“Wait, what? He thought you were with Brooks?”
“Because of that photo shoot. He saw the pictures from over my shoulder and assumed.”
“Ohhh. Yeah. That makes sense. So he was all jealous and hot and bothered.”
I chuckle. “Basically.”
“Scrumptious.”
