Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
E lla
The hardest part about meeting a guy was explaining exactly who I was. I loved my life and work, but sometimes, they were a burden when it came to dating.
“Tell me more.” Graham smiled. “Tell me how it was growing up with a brain like yours.”
The server walked over and placed our food in front of us.
“Thanks, Marcella.”
“You’re welcome, Ella. Let me know if you two need anything else.”
I picked up my fork. “I graduated high school when I was ten and almost finished with college. I entered med school, finished all three specialties when I was fourteen, and did my residencies. By the time I was completely finished, I was nineteen.”
“Damn,” he said. “That’s the most impressive thing I’ve ever heard. Now, tell me about Ella Kind outside of being a doctor. What else do you do in your spare time?”
“I paint, dance, surf, play the guitar and the piano, and hang out with my family and friends.”
“Don’t forget. You also run.” He pointed his fork at me.
“Yes.” I laughed. “I love to run every morning.”
“Me too.” He smiled. “If you don’t mind me asking. Where do you live?”
“In a house five minutes from here next to my entire family.”
“Your entire family?” he asked.
“Yep. Well, except for my Grandma Barb and Grandma Rose. They live a couple of streets over.”
“You all must be very close.”
“We are. Life is family, and family is life.” I smiled.
“I like that.” He grinned. “Do you have any siblings?”
“I have a brother named Nicholas and a sister named Willow. They’re both in high school. My brother is going to become a plastic surgeon like my dad, and Willow is a ballet dancer like my mom.”
“I bet they’re smart.” He smirked.
“They are.” I grinned.
Looking over to my right, my eyes narrowed when I saw my dad and Nicholas heading toward our table.
“What’s wrong?” Graham asked.
“Nothing. It’s just my dad and brother are here.”
“Hi, sweetheart.” My dad walked over. “I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”
“Yeah. Sure, Dad.”
“Hey, sis.” Nicholas grinned.
“Dr. Graham Malone, I’d like you to meet my father, Dr. Nathan Kind, and my brother Nicholas.”
“Dr. Malone, it’s nice to meet you.” My dad extended his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Kind.” He shook his hand.
“Good to meet you, man.” Nicholas nodded.
“You too, Nicholas.” Graham smiled.
“So, are you two enjoying your dinner?” my dad asked.
“We are, Dad. What are you doing here?”
“Your mom and Willow are at the dance studio, so your brother and I thought we’d grab some dinner. You two enjoy the rest of your evening. Come on, son. Our table is ready.”
“I didn’t know, or I would have stopped him,” Nicholas leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“Sorry about that,” I said, picking up my drink.
“Why would you be?” Graham asked.
“Because it wasn’t a coincidence. Sebastian probably sent a group text telling everyone we were here, and my dad couldn’t help himself. The one thing about my family is that nothing is sacred. Everyone knows everybody’s business. It’s literally impossible to hide anything from any of them.”
Graham chuckled. “Life is family, and family is life, right?”
“Right.” I smiled.
We finished our dinner, and I took the last sip of my wine.
“I’m craving ice cream.” Graham smiled. “How about you?”
“I’d love some. There’s this great ice cream shop ten minutes from here in Santa Monica,” I said.
“Let’s go.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.
“You can put that away. Dinners here are free for the family.”
“Then I’ll leave an extra large tip for our server, and ice cream is on me.” He winked. “How about I follow you to your house to drop your car off, and then I’ll drive to the ice cream shop.”
“Sounds good.” I grinned.
We stood up from our seats. As we walked through the restaurant, I narrowed my eye at my dad as we passed his table.
“Enjoy your dinner,” I said.
“Always do, sweetheart.” A grin crossed his lips.
Graham walked me to my car and then went to his. When I reached my house, I pulled into the garage and climbed into Graham’s car.
“Nice house.” Graham smiled.
“Thanks. I can give you a tour when we get back.” I smiled.
“I’d like that.” He glanced at me as the corners of his mouth curved upward.
We went to the ice cream shop, got two double-scooped cones, and took them outside. It was a beautiful night with a light wind sweeping across our faces.
“Where did you go to school?” I asked.
“Columbia,” he said as we walked down the street.
“If you don’t mind me asking. Who took care of you after your father passed away?”
“My aunt, who was my dad’s sister.”
“Have you always lived in New York?” I asked.
“Yeah. I have.”
G raham
I didn’t like lying to her, but the one thing I never talked about was my father’s death.
“How did your father pass?” she asked.
“Heart attack.” I glanced at her. I needed to change the subject. “You said you paint, right?”
“Yeah, I do. I’ve been painting since I was old enough to hold a paintbrush in my hand.”
“I’d love to see some of your artwork.” I smiled.
“I can show you when we get back to my house.”
We finished our ice cream and drove back to her house. Stepping through the front door, I looked around at the meticulous, beautifully decorated space.
“Wow. This is nice.”
“Thanks. Ava, who is Grayson’s wife, helped me decorate it. She’s an interior decorator.”
I stood in front of the fireplace and looked up at the painting that hung above it. It was of a woman in a white flowy dress standing at the shoreline as the waves touched her feet.
“Is this you?” I pointed.
“Yeah.”
“Seriously?” I glanced at her. “You painted this?”
“Yes.” She laughed.
“Damn, Ella. It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. Follow me, and I’ll show you my art room.”
I followed her up the stairs and down the hall. To the left was a room with easels, canvases, paints, and other artwork leaning against the wall.
“You painted these?” I stared at the beautiful artwork.
“I did.” She grinned. “Painting is my stress reliever. It relaxes me and takes me into another dimension.”
“They’re beautiful.” I turned and placed my hand on her cheek. “Just like you are.”
A bashful smile crossed her lips, and all I wanted to do was kiss her. Her eyes stared into mine. Leaning in, I softly brushed my lips against hers. They were soft, and my cock was quickly rising to the occasion.
“I’m sorry about that,” I said.
“Don’t be.” She smiled. “I enjoyed it.”
“Me too. I should go. It’s late.” I swept my finger across her forehead.
“Okay.” She took hold of my hand and led me down the stairs. “I had a really nice time tonight.”
“So did I,” I said, cupping her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I kissed her lips one last time.
“See you tomorrow.” A smile crossed her face.
Opening the door, I walked out and climbed into my car. Driving home, all I thought about was her. Something sparked inside me from the moment I saw her back in New York. I always slept with women on the first date, but with her, I couldn’t. She was different and special. I knew she’d become a complication in my life, and I needed to tread carefully.