Page 34 of Holiday Hopefuls
“So, you think helping gaslight my entire family is considered positive?” I ask, quirking a brow.
Rolling amused eyes, Oliver leans back in my chair. “I’ll admit, it’s not a shining example of my professional goals.” His eyes lock onto mine. “But I think this is a pretty worthy cause.”
Being on the receiving end of Dr. Oliver Rhodes’ open stare is nothing short of flush-inducing, and I stumble all over myself trying to find something, anything, to say. “Well, then,” I start, clearing my throat, “I guess your parents are about to meet one awesome girlfriend, since she’ll need you to hold up your end of the bargain.”
“Marshall and Sandra,” he says.
“Sorry?”
“My parents, Marshall and Sandra,” he repeats. “My dad owns his own woodworking business, and my mom actually owns a restaurant. Then, of course, let’s not forget Nacho, who will also be in attendance on Thursday.”
“Got it,” I nod enthusiastically. “Nacho’ll be there too?”
“Of course.” Oliver playfully rolls his eyes. “Sometimes, I think Mom likes her more than me.” He pulls out his phone to display the lock screen image of him holding his golden retriever on some overlook.
“She’s beautiful,” I gush, taking the phone. “How’d you manage to take the picture?”
“John was there with us. Rindy might’ve been, too,” he frowns. “I can’t remember.”
My brows shoot up. “She doesn’t seem much like the hiking type.”
He shakes his head. “Not since she met Jo. But back in college, the three of us spent a lot of time on the trails.”
“Hm,” I hand the phone back over, “the brother and sister hiking duo. Does your sister ever go with you, too?”
“Nah. She prefers indoor workouts,” he laughs.
“Oh, how much younger is your sister?”
Oliver crumples up his trash, placing it in the bin by my desk. “She’s twenty-seven. And, uh, while we’re on the subject … ” That beautiful blush returns. “I’m thirty-two, for reference.”
“Okay,” I nod, doing my best to suppress a grin. I know he’s fishing for how old I am, but how often do I get the chance to make such a gorgeous man this uncomfortable? “Noted.” Besides, will he feel weird once he learns I’m the same age as his sister? Would it make him back out of our deal? Feeling his eyes watching my every move, I clean up my mess from lunch and begin gathering worksheets for when my babies return.
T-minus ten minutes.
“How long have you been baking?” I ask, rounding another desk to place some papers. I don’t have to look up to know he’s watching.
“Forever,” he answers. That silky voice is a little too casual. Too relaxed. I wonder if that’s his standard my-patient-is-annoying-me voice. “I’ve been helping my mom in the kitchen since I was little.”
“Ah.”
“But she learned really early that I had to have ground rules when I did,” he continues.
Hating admitting that I’m intrigued, I peek back over my shoulder as I move around the final table. That same intense stare from the bar catalogues my every move. “How’s that?”
Lips tipping up, Oliver crosses his arms. “Let’s just say I was quite the taste tester. Especially at the most inappropriate times. I usually had powdered sugar all over my lips from sneaking samples.”
Easy laughter bubbles out of my mouth and into the world. “I can imagine.” Making my way back toward the handsome doctor, a single and sudden thought sends sirens blaring in my mind. “Are we, um, going to … to have to kiss … in front of your family?”
The man who looks way too comfortable in my chair leans back slightly before running a hand through his slicked back hair. “I mean,” he clears his throat, “my family is pretty affectionate, sure. They would probably expect to see that from us, as well.”
I’m pretty sure my brain short-circuts.
“But we don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with, of course,” he adds quickly. “I would never ask that of you.”
“Well, I promise you that my family is certainly not the affectionate type. Except for my niece.” Pressing my lips together, I consider my next words carefully. “But I guess I wouldn’t be opposed if we had to do that for yours to believe—” I wave my hand between us “—this.” As if he’s somehow missed our predicament up until now.
Oliver snorts.
