Page 29 of Must Be Love - Irresistible Bachelors

My phone buzzes in my pocket as I approach my subway station. My sister’s name lights up the screen.

“Hey, Dana,” I greet.

“You will not believe what Mom did this time.”

I laugh. “I’m pretty sure I will.”

“She signed Cory up for karate classes.”

I cringe. That sounds exactly like something my mom would do. Cory is my sister’s youngest son, and he’s only two years old. There’s no way he should be doing karate.

My mom likes to control things. She owned her own party planning company until she retired a couple of years ago. Being in charge makes her happy. Unfortunately, if you don’t do exactly what she says, you’re public enemy number one.

“Did you tell her that Cory is way too young for karate?”

“I tried. Her response was that I can’t keep sheltering my children, and if I want them to grow up and not hate me, I should do what she says.”

I can’t help but laugh again. That sounds like something my mom would say.

“I don’t know what to tell you, Dana.”

She sighs. “I know. I just needed to rant. This is getting ridiculous. You’re lucky you rarely talk to them anymore.”

“It’s called self-preservation.”

“I would just feel bad if Cory, Drake, and Amy didn’t get to know their grandparents.”

“I get that, Dana. Just remember that it’s okay to be selfish sometimes.”

“I don’t think it’s selfish, you know. That you don’t talk to them.”

“I’m glad. It feels selfish, though.”

Something crashes in the background, and Dana swears under her breath.

“Do you need to go?”

“No, no, it’s fine. Drake just knocked over a table, but there was nothing on it. Jeff is taking care of it.”

I love Dana’s husband. Not only is he a great guy, but he manages to put up with our awful parents. Jeff is the one who encourages Dana to have a relationship with them. I, on the other hand, only see my parents on select holidays. They get Christmas and Easter. That’s it. I can only handle their scrutiny twice a year.

“How is Jeff?”

“He’s great,” Dana says. The smile is clear in her voice. “He’s been working from home a few days a week, so he gets more time with the kids. He doesn’t want them to grow up barely knowing their dad, the way he did.”

“That’s amazing, Dana. You got lucky.”

“I did. What about you? Any guys catch your interest recently?”

Dana and I are not close. This conversation is pretty much the same as the ones we always have. Dana calls me to rant when my parents do something ridiculous. I listen to her, I ask about the family, she asks me if I have a boyfriend, and then we hang up.

Normally, I can honestly tell Dana there’s no one. This time, it’s a lie when I say I’m happy to be single and that I’m focusing on my job.

I could probably tell Dana about AJ, but she would tell our parents, and they would show up at Dr. Blake’s office to meet him. It would be their only option because I certainly wouldn’t invite them over.

“Well, I should go. I just wanted you to share in my annoyance.”

“Don’t let Cory do karate.”

“I won’t!” she promises before hanging up.

We both know she’ll give in to our mother’s wishes. For all her big talk, Dana is a pushover. That’s why she’s still in touch with our parents while I only talk to them twice a year.

The conversation with Dana was draining. It always is, talking to my sister. I can’t help but think about the family dynamic we don’t have.

I finish my trip home, distracted by thoughts of my sister and my parents. When I arrive, I have a postcard in my mailbox. It’s a reminder about my upcoming appointment with Dr. Blake.

I smile at the card, all thoughts of my family suddenly gone.

At least I have my appointment with AJ to look forward to. Nothing else matters but that.

10

Amber

“You need to breathe before you pass out.”

I try to take Nicole’s advice, but it’s no use. Panic set in earlier this morning, and it has only gotten worse throughout the day.

Daisy puts a hand on my shoulder. She has eaten lunch with Nicole and me every day this week. It’s nice to have an extra friend around, especially because my appointment with Dr. Blake is in thirty minutes.

It’s been two weeks since we first met, and just a day short of one week since he ate me out on the exam table. I shouldn’t be this nervous!

“Talk to me, Amber. What are you feeling?”

“I don’t know if I can go there again.”

“Why not?”

“Because of what happened last time!”

“Be more specific,” Daisy chimes in.

She takes a big bite out of her sandwich. A moan escapes her lips. I’ve never been to the upper floor’s cafeteria, but apparently, ours really is better. At least, based on the way Daisy has been reacting to the food this week. I always thought a sandwich was a sandwich until I met Daisy.

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