Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Shelby
“Shelby, look what I got.”
Riley runs from the house to the end of the path, joining me on the sidewalk.
Peering into the open tote bag, I grin. “Nice!”
“Next one!” She directs us, running ahead.
“This is fun. Thank you for the invite.”
“It is.” Doc nods. “So is the sugar high. When she comes down off it, not so much.”
“Sounds like a late night for you.” I chuckle.
“And you. Your friends are coming over,” he reminds me.
“Right.”
“You don’t want them to?”
“No. Yes. Sam can’t come, so it just won’t be as fun.” I shrug.
“If you’re not in the mood for a party, just cancel.”
“It’s not really a party. We’ll probably just eat and watch films with a glass of wine.”
“You’ll be drinking?” Doc frowns, disapprovingly.
“Yes, Doctor. A glass of wine or two. You are aware that I’m twenty-three, right?”
“I’m aware.” He nods.
My heart flutters.
I roll my eyes. Get a grip, Shelby. The man is successful and super-hot.
Dr. Moore’s smile drops. “What have I told you about rolling your eyes, young lady?”
I swallow at his sharp tone. It should not have the effect it does. “It’s rude,” I reply breathily.
His eyes drop to my lips just as the bottom one disappears between my teeth.
Doc frowns. The man probably thinks I’m on the verge of a breakdown . . . and I am. Just not for the reason he thinks.
Needing a minute to myself, I wait at the end of the drive while Riley and Leonard knock on the white door.
By the time they rejoin me, I’ve talked myself down.
The next few houses are done with Riley between us, her hands clasped in ours.
The street is lively and loud as costumed children run from house to house.
A small group of older girls walks toward us, their voices loud.
I’d know that god-awful screech anywhere.
Kitty Newman. The girl who tortured me through high school.
Queen bee, head cheerleader, and sister to Riley’s classmate, Max Newman.
She eyes my snowman onesie like she wants to burn it with me still inside. It’s worlds apart from her slutty nurse outfit. I try to ignore her, but we’re heading straight for each other.
“Nerdy is definitely not the new sexy,” she snarks to her friends. To make it obvious who she means, Kitty looks straight at me.
My cheeks flush, but I do what I did all through high school. I stay quiet and keep walking, but my escape comes to an abrupt halt.
“Off to a party, Miss Newman?”
“Hi, Doc. I didn’t see you there.”
The suggestive tone makes my stomach roil. Gross. Needing to look at anything but her pushing her chest toward my neighbor, I reach out for the bag Leonard holds.
The tall man turns to me as I take the bag from his tight grip. Reaching in, I grab a bottle of water and turn my back on the group of girls.
“You should join us, Leo.”
She calls him Leo? Disappointment fills me.
“I’m thirty-eight, not twenty-three, Miss Newman. My partying days are over. I’d rather spend time with my family.”
My heart soars when I see him motion toward us out of the corner of my eye. Clearly, he means Riley, but the look of shock on Kitty’s face is well worth whatever rumor she starts.
“Miss Newman, remember what I said about being safe. We wouldn’t want you in my office again, would we?”
I choke at the implication. Water sprays out, back into the bottle and down my chin. Coughing, I bend slightly, trying to catch my breath.
“And it’s Dr. Moore,” he corrects her earlier words.
I guess she doesn’t call him Leo. My lips twitch, but I fight my grin.
Stepping close to Riley and me, he dismisses Kitty.
“Are you okay?”
I nod, unable to answer.
“I don’t like her,” Riley mutters, watching the blonde stomp away.
“Enough of that,” Doc says, then nods at the house that we’re standing in front of. “Go get more candy.”
Not needing to be told twice, Riley runs off excitedly.
Once she’s out of earshot, I apologize. “Sorry about that. She’s not really a fan.”
“What’s not to love?” He winks, reaching for the water in my hand.
“Oh, don’t drink that. I . . .”
But he doesn’t wait for me to finish. Tilting the bottle, he gulps some of the water down.
“Spat water back in,” I finish in a mumble.
He raises a brow, screwing the cap back on the bottle. “I’m not worried about catching something from you.”
I flush at his wink.
A yellow blur flies past us, little feet slapping the sidewalk. “To the next!”
Using the distraction, I follow the little girl.
“I missed you in my office this week.”
My heart stops at his words. “What do you mean?” We both know what he’s referring to. I just never expected him to acknowledge it out loud.
“Your annual visit,” he challenges, his left brow raised.
My face flames at his words. I go to see him as a patient after Halloween for one reason only. My mystery man. There’s nowhere else in this small town to go for Plan B and a checkup.
A secret that has stayed between Doc; Kathy, his receptionist; and me until now.
I glare at him for saying the words out loud and in public.
“It wasn’t needed this year,” I snap.
Leonard looks away.
Shit.
An awkward silence settles over the two of us. Riley skips a few feet in front, oblivious to my torn morals.
“I’m sorry. It’s just a sore subject.”
“I understand.” He nods. “I shouldn’t have inquired. I’m sorry.”
Scrubbing my face, I sigh. “It’s just complicated.”
“You and your boyfriend have a falling-out?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Your visits suggest otherwise,” he argues.
Does fucking someone once a year make him my boyfriend? Can I even call it fucking when I don’t remember what we do?
“It’s . . .”
“Complicated?” he finishes for me.
“Yeah,” I breathe.
“Anything worth having usually is.”
I swallow at his deep tone.
“Maybe. Maybe not,” I mumble.
I don’t get to mull over Doc’s words for long.
“Daddy!” Riley yells from farther along the sidewalk, pointing at a house with their porch light on.
“I’m coming. Go knock on it.”
The little girl drops her arm. “You’re my Pokeball. I can’t keep going without you,” she tells him, taking his hand as soon as he’s close enough. They walk up the path together. “That would be silly.”
“Yeah, Daddy. Don’t be silly,” I taunt.
His only response is a small glare over the top of Riley’s head.