Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Shelby
Well, that could have gone worse . . . not!
Shoving another forkful of frosting-covered cake into my mouth, I groan.
I nearly orgasmed on my doctor’s fingers. My doctor, who also happens to be my hot neighbor. At least one of us stayed professional.
Or not, I smirk.
I hadn’t been the only one affected. Doc just hid it better, but nothing was hiding THAT bulge. Some of my self-loathing and embarrassment melts away.
Get a grip. I mentally slap myself. What would a gorgeous thirty-eight-year-old doctor want with a part-time barista?
Rolling my eyes, I stab a larger piece of cake with my fork and stuff it in my mouth. Besides, how would I explain my yearly visitor? Would my mystery man be jealous?
Raising a brow, I contemplate the thought, but before I can get dragged into what-ifs, a timid knock sounds at my front door. It was so quiet that if I’d had the TV on, I wouldn’t have heard it.
Pushing away from the kitchen island, I place my fork next to the tray of half-eaten birthday cake.
A second knock sounds as I’m crossing the living room, this one a little more insistent.
Turning the lock, I grip the handle and open my mouth to greet whoever it is on the other side, but the words die before they can escape.
Instead, I stand wide-eyed and open-mouthed, staring at a crying Riley.
“Muffin.” I finally manage to squeeze out.
The little girl rushes forward, wrapping her arms around my waist, her sobs muffled by my sweater.
“Baby, what happened?” I ask, folding myself and pulling her closer.
Her crying continues as I stroke her hair back. My mind races with all kinds of scenarios, but she’s here, with no broken bones and no blood. That’s what matters.
I kiss the top of her brown curls and remind her over and over that everything’s going to be okay, until she calms enough that I can pull away.
Kneeling, I wipe her cheeks dry and brush away the brown strands stuck to her face. “Are you hurt?”
Sniffling, Riley shakes her head.
“What happened?” I whisper.
“Miss Sarah was watching me, but then a boy came, and she left.”
My heart beats for the first time since I opened the door, breaking free of the fear that froze it.
“Sarah left?” I repeat.
Riley nods, wiping under her nose with the back of her hand.
“When did she leave, muffin?”
The little girl shrugs. “I waited, but she never came back, and I got scared. Daddy says I’m not allowed outside without telling anyone, but I didn’t have anyone to tell.”
“Well, you did super good coming here, and I’ll make sure your daddy knows how good you did,” I praise, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Are you hungry?”
Riley nods quickly, and her tummy lets out a well-timed growl.
Pulling a shocked face, I temper down the fury roaring through me. What kind of moron leaves a six-year-old home alone?
A dead one!
No, no. We can’t go around killing irresponsible teenage sitters, can we?
Standing, I hold out my hand for her to take. “How about we go lock up your house, and I’ll call your dad to let him know that you’re safe?”
Riley nods, letting me lead her out. Closing my front door, I lock it. I might only be popping into my neighbor’s house, but after four years of my mystery visitor, I never leave it open. Ever.
Unlike Doc’s house.
The front door opens with a flick of my wrist. I keep Riley close and do a quick walk-through just to confirm no one is inside and then head for the fridge. That’s where every parent leaves the emergency contacts, right?
Smiling at my own genius, I pluck the sticky note off the fridge door.
“Bingo. Do you know where the front door key is, muffin?”
She points at a bowl near the entrance.
“Perfect. Do you wanna grab some toys or coloring stuff to bring with you?” I check.
Riley nods and lets go of my hand.
I watch her run down the hall and into her bedroom before I reach for my cell in my back pocket. The line rings four times before the practice’s receptionist, Kathy, picks up.
“Dr. Moore’s office, how can I help?”
“Hi, this is Shelby. Can I speak to Dr. Moore, please?”
“He’s with a patient.”
I frown at her sharp tone.
“Can you ask him to call me back when he’s free, please?”
“This isn’t a social club. This is a doctor’s office. If you need to see the doctor, you need to make an appointment like everyone else.”
I blink at her harsh response. What crawled up her ass? Fine.
“And what time is available today?”
“Other than the last slot of the day at five, he’s all booked up.”
“Sounds perfect. Five it is.” I smirk.
“And what should I put as your issue?”
“A pain in the ass,” I mutter dryly.
All sound from the other end of the line ceases, before a clipped, “We’ll see you at five,” sounds.
What is wrong with people today?
I’m sure any mention of Riley would have gotten me through to Leonard, but I feel like being petty. Besides, he’d only worry about Riley for the rest of the day. We’ll have a little girls’ day and go surprise him with an early finish by being his last appointment.
Speaking of, I watch as Riley drags a heavy-looking backpack down the carpeted hall.
“Muffin, what did you pack?” I laugh.
A cheeky grin is her only answer.