Page 61 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
“They’re doing great,” a tech in festive scrubs smiles at me.“Dr.Harrison made sure of it.”She pauses.“Oh, and I heard we might see you at book club.Sally has been showing her measurements on our secret online group.I can send you an invite if you’d like.”
The face I’m making must be a mix of the Grinch, a world-class Resting Bitch Face, and a polite smile.Scary, really.Yet, the tech, whose badge tells me she’s Noelle, because of course this is a Hallmark movie in the making (with more sex.Way.More.Sex.), seems completely unfazed.
“I, um.Not sure.I’m not sure.”A pause.“Thank you, though.”
And right then, Adam strides in and I'm pretty sure I stop breathing for a second, or two.Or three.
His vet coat is open, sleeves rolled up showing forearms(really), his hair slightly messy like he’s been running his hands through it between patients.
I’m half expecting him to lean against the door like a romance hero.But he doesn’t.Oh, no he…gives me a very focused gaze instead.Looking serious and very edible, especially now remembering the weight of his body on mine, the graze of his stubble on my inner thighs, and how he talked to Blanche this morning like her anxiety didn’t make her a burden.
That’s because he’s a vet, Eve.Duh.
But while my brain might supply explanations, the heat spreading through me is even reaching my neuropathic fingers.
And then Blanche and Dorothy start whining for him.Of course.At least LoverBoy is cuddling closer in my arms, like he’s telling me he’ll be there for me.
"They’ve been playing all morning, then Blanche was a bit nervous when new pets arrived so I moved them to the quiet area," Adam tells me, straightening up.
I take a brisk step back, clearing my throat."Thank you."
“How was your first morning at work?”
“Good.”Not thinking about the discussion with his mom, the zucchini, nope.“Good, good.”
“Great.”His tone is amused.
Noelle is straight-up watching us like it’s reality TV and because this town is committed to transforming my life into a rom-com I didn't sign up for: a little girl with pigtails bolts toward him.
“Uncle A!Uncle A!”
“My best friend Wes’s kid,” Adam murmurs as the little girl latches onto his neck.
And I swear, someone took a discreet picture of him.Or…of usas his other hand settles on my lower back sending shivers absolutely everywhere.
"Who are you?Are you Uncle A's love?"The little girl asks, and Noelle chuckles, murmuring "from the mouth of babes, right?"before whirling around as soon as a tall man with brown skin and kind eyes carrying a plant and a cat carrier enters the room, like she's been shocked by a defibrillator paddle.
"Dad!Dad I'm here!"
The man approaches with the world's most vocal cat, waking my dogs who start their own chorus.
"I'm so sorry," I say, expecting someone to tell me to control them.
Wes chuckles."If our cat was out, he'd chase them.They're talking."His eyes follow Noelle who's busy with paperwork."I'm Wes."
"Eve Foster."
"Oh, I know.Pine Creek knows."
Adam's jaw ticks and is it bad I want to trace it with my tongue?
Wes sets down a plant."Pet-safe Christmas cactus.”He smiles.“Before Sally gives you my life story.I own Oopsie Daisies.And yes, I'm single."His eyes find Noelle, who develops a mysterious cough.
"Nice meeting you," I tell him.
"Same.”
His little girl whirls around.“Are you coming to the tree lighting?It’s so pretty!I’m going, right Dad?”
