Page 73 of Must Be Love - Irresistible Bachelors

If things go well with AJ today, I can see us staying together and moving quickly.

I sit back down at my desk, but there’s no way I’m getting any work done now. There are still forty minutes until I leave for my appointment with AJ.

My plan is to stare blankly at my screen, contemplating the promotion, until it’s time to go. Nicole interrupts me.

“So, Miranda called me into her office.”

“Havana called me in, too.”

Nicole lets out a breath. “Oh, thank goodness. I was hoping they’d ask you, too. This is insane! We’re going to be supervisors!”

I bite my lip. “I don’t know if I’m going to accept.”

She frowns. “What do you mean?”

“You know I want to be a stay-at-home mom. It doesn’t feel right to take a promotion when I don’t know how long I’ll be at this job.”

“I see. That makes sense, but it sucks. I wanted us to be on the same level!”

I squeeze her arm. “I’m so happy for you, Nicole. This is what you want. It’s just not for me. I’m good with being a regular marketing person.”

Nicole laughs. “Thanks, Amber. I’m glad I have you as a friend.”

She leans over to hug me.

“I’m glad, too.”

“What are you up to? Want to take an early lunch?”

I shake my head. “I have my appointment with AJ in a half-hour.”

“Oh, right! You’re going to talk to him about the private dates, right?”

“Yeah, I am. I practiced the conversation about a hundred times this weekend.”

“That sounds about right. I hope it works out.”

“Me, too.”

Nicole wishes me luck and leaves me to attempt to work. As I suspected, I don’t get anything done. Time moves slowly until it’s time for me to leave. I wave goodbye to my other teammates and happily head for the door.

I walk double time to AJ’s dermatology office. My conversation with Nicole has me feeling confident. I can do this. AJ and I will talk about our dates, and it’ll be great. He’ll understand.

Ginger smiles widely when she sees me.

“Amber! Long time, no see!”

“Hi, Ginger. How are you?”

“I’m doing well! How about you?”

“Same. Busy with work. Kind of stressed, honestly, but I’ll be fine.”

Ginger frowns. “You be careful with stress, Amber. It’s not good for the skin.”

“Good thing I have Dr. Blake’s serum to keep my skin looking good!”

I gesture to my face. It’s noticeably healthier than it was just a month ago. Dr. Blake is a miracle worker. And he’s my boyfriend!

How did I get so lucky? I never would’ve thought I’d end up here, but I’m glad I did.

“You do look great! Dr. Blake is with another patient right now, but he should be finished in time for your appointment. Go ahead and take a seat. I’ll let you know when to go back.”

I sit in the waiting room alone and flip through one of the old magazines on the table. I’m not interested in the celebrity gossip filling the pages, but I get terrible service here, so it’s my only option for entertainment.

I’m about to ask Ginger if they have Wi-Fi for patients when she calls me up.

“You can go to exam room 4, Amber. Dr. Blake will be with you in a few minutes.”

“Thanks so much. I’ll see you in a little bit!”

Exam room 4 is empty when I arrive, as expected. AJ is with his other patient. I have to share him with other people professionally, but at least he’s all mine privately.

A knock on the door startles me.

“Come in!” I call when my heart stops pounding.

AJ enters and closes the door behind him immediately. He closes the distance between the door and the chair I’m sitting on and kisses me sweetly.

“Hi,” he says. “I’m glad to see you.”

I grin. “I’m glad to see you, too.”

Now’s my moment! I should bring up the dates. I open my mouth to start my speech, but the words disappear.

“How was your day? Is work calming down?”

“Yeah, today wasn’t bad. I worked on some stuff for backstock.”

“Good, I’m glad you’re not as stressed.”

“Me, too.”

Another brief pause falls between us. Once again, my words fail me. I want to talk to AJ about my feelings, but it’s a lot easier to talk to myself in the train station than to say the words to his face.

“How was your day?” I manage to ask.

AJ sighs. “It’s been long already. I had to pack in a bunch of patients because I’m focusing on research and development the rest of the week.”

“I’m sorry. I hope I’m not taking up too much of your time.”

He smiles. “You’re my favorite patient, remember? I want you to be here.”

“Good because I want to be here.”

Tell him, my brain commands.

“I got offered a promotion today,” I announce instead of what I need to say.

“Wow! That’s great, Amber. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

AJ catches the solemnity in my tone.

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