Page 1 of Make Me Fool You

CHAPTER1

Brianna

Isigh and shove the file folders I’ve been staring at for the longest time underneath the rest of the things I’m taking home with me. Standing and throwing my purse over my shoulder, I quickly stride to the door of my office and then turn and lock it on the way out the door.

“Goodnight, Dr. Maxwell. See you tomorrow.” I smile and wave at the nurse on the way out the door but I don’t stop. It’s eight at night and I’ve been here in the hospital since five this morning. I’m exhausted, I haven’t eaten dinner and it’s the night for my book club. My mouth waters when I think about taco night. I love taco night. There’s just so much you can do with a taco. And Ruth’s pork tacos are insane. I love the slaw that goes on top of them. I could eat that pickled stuff all day.

Throwing my bag and files on the seat of my car, I jump in and start it. Only to slam the car to a stop when I see a shadow behind me. My heart pounds and I drop my head to the wheel.

“Shit! That was close.”

“Hello, Dr. Maxwell. You’re here late, aren’t you?”

I groan and look up and up into the eyes of my former best friend. The man that used to make me laugh when we were kids. The man who dropped me like a hot potato as soon as we went away to college. Never even tried to contact me. It fucking hurt.

His dark green eyes smile at me like there’s nothing wrong at all. Like we never had the best friendship in the world. Like I never hoped that I’d end up as Mrs. McCullough.

“James,” I say, my voice colder than the night air tonight. It’s been chilly all week as the fall weather starts moving in on us. The leaves on the trees in town and all around the properties in the area are gold, red, amber and orange. I usually love this time of year. Taking long walks in the woods by the lake to feel the beauty of the crisp air and the trees slowly cycling into their winter gear. It centers me. Makes me feel alive and happy.

But not this year. I just haven’t had time. So my blood pressure is roaring and seeing James doesn’t help.

He sighs and runs his hand through his walnut brown hair. It falls back into place immediately. That’s one of the things that drives me crazy about him. He’s so damn perfect. Nothing ever seems out of place on the man. He never puts a foot wrong. I’m a damn klutz and could trip over air. It’s inhuman how perfect he always is.

“Why are you always so short with me, Doc? I don’t think I’ve ever done a thing to you and yet you chat with everyone else in the building but not me.”

“You’re not there as much as them. I don’t know you. There’s a bunch of different reasons.”

I lean forward and start my car again. Before I can react, he reaches in and grabs my car keys, pulling them out of the ignition through the open window.

“Hey! What the hell?” I scrabble, grasping for his hand but he quickly hides it behind his back. “What are you, two?”

Opening the door, I reach around him and try to get my keys but he turns himself sideways, keeping them just out of my reach.

I huff and slap him on the shoulder as hard as I can. He doesn’t even wince but I feel my body heat when his muscles shift under my hand.

Holy shit! When did James get so ripped?

He grins at me. “That the best you got, Doc?”

“Why are you trying to piss me off, James? I’m already late.”

“For your book club?” he grins.

Glaring at him, I try to duck around him again. “How do you know that?”

“A little birdie told me.”

“By any chance was this birdie named Ruth?”

He grins, unrepentant. “Maybe…maybe not.”

“You can’t just keep me from leaving James McCullough! I am exhausted and I need food. What I don’t need is you doing whatever this is.” I wave my hand back and forth between the two of us.

Leaning closer, he backs me up into my car. My eyes widen as I realize I’m trapped. For the first time, James doesn’t seem so…innocent. His masculine scent wafts around me, surrounding me and making my mouth go dry. He smells fucking delicious. Even better than pork tacos.

“I’m not joking around, Bri. I’ve been trying since you came back here five years ago to get your attention. To get you to talk to me like you used to. Nothing. You’re like a damn vault.”

“We used to be friends, James. That’s why I talked to you. Now you’re just another guy. I don’t have anything to give you and I hope that you can turn the other cheek and move on.”

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