Page 74 of Must Be Love - Irresistible Bachelors

“You’re not happy?”

“I don’t think I’ll take it. You know I want to be a stay-at-home mom. I’d rather give the job to someone who is trying for a management track.”

“You’re a good person, Amber. You’re always putting other people before yourself. That’s one of the many things I like about you.”

I blush. AJ knows exactly what to say to get to me. It’s moments like this when I think we’re dating. But then, he asks me out, and we don’t do anything but go to his house or to a private restaurant. Are we actually dating, or is AJ only using me for sex? I can’t be sure, and it’s eating me alive to not know.

AJ sits down on his stool and takes my file out.

“Let’s get started with your appointment, okay?”

I nod. That’s why I’m here, after all. As much as I enjoy spending time with AJ, I also want to know how my skin is looking. The serum appears to be working on a superficial level. Is it working beyond that, too?

“Just looking at you, I’ve seen a lot of progress. I’m going to take a look with the magnifier to see better.”

I’m used to this part of the appointment by now. AJ pulls the magnifier over and examines my face. His proximity makes my breathing shallow. I’m tempted to lean forward and kiss him, but right now is professional time. I’ll be able to do that later when our appointment is over.

That’ll be my reward for telling AJ how I feel. If I share my fears of being hidden with him, I’ll be allowed to kiss him.

My motivation is renewed. The prize makes me excited to talk to AJ after he’s done looking at my skin.

“This all looks really good, Amber. I’m impressed with the quality of your skin.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

AJ laughs. “You’re welcome, patient. Now, I’d like to get an even closer look. I have this camera I can use to take pictures of your skin. The special photos allow me to see UV damage at a cellular level. It can also show dry skin and other issues. Are you okay with me using this camera to take photos of your face?”

“Of course,” I say. “You can do whatever you want to me.”

I blush. I didn’t mean for that to come out so sexual.

“We’ll save that response for later. I really want to get these pictures to see if the serum is working on a deeper level.”

“Then photograph away, Doc.”

AJ leaves me alone in the exam room so he can get the camera. Apparently, he needs the help of a nurse to move the machine.

I take a few deep breaths to try and calm myself. This appointment isn’t going how I wanted it to. I was going to start with the big conversation so that things would get better after that. I figured we would talk about my feelings and then he would give me the good news about my skin.

It’ll be fine the other way around, though. Maybe it’ll be better, even. AJ should have a lunch break coming up. If we need extra time to talk, we can take it without having to worry about my appointment time ending.

I take out my phone and try to text Nicole so she can help me stop freaking out, but my service is even worse in the exam room than it was in the waiting room.

I tuck my phone back into my pocket and fold my hands together. I need to calm down before AJ gets back. Everything is going to be fine. He’ll take pictures of my skin, and we’ll go over the results. Then I’ll broach the subject of our private dates.

Having a plan helps me relax. My breathing is steady again, and my heartrate doesn’t feel elevated.

AJ still isn’t back. He needs to hurry up before I drive myself crazy!

I take a pamphlet from the counter behind me to busy myself. It’s about the importance of wearing sunscreen when outside, no matter how hot or cold it is.

You can still get sunburn in the winter! the cover reads.

Apparently, the snow reflects the sun in a way that can cause burns. It’s important to cover up if you’re going to be outside for an extended amount of time in the winter.

I didn’t know you could get sunburn in winter. I guess it makes sense. It probably doesn’t happen often, though. Who is outside with exposed skin in the winter? I’m certainly not. I don’t hate the cold, but I’m not about to get hypothermia.

The next pamphlet is about acne. I’ve never had a problem with acne, but I read it over anyway.

What is taking AJ so long? He’s been gone for ten minutes now. It can’t be that hard to get a camera, can it?

Maybe he’s decided not to come back, and the nurses are drawing straws to come tell me AJ is done with me as a patient and as a girlfriend.

---