Chapter 3 Coralynn
THREE
Coralynn
“Good one, Coralynn Paker, good one.” I stay where I am, back against the wood door, hand cupping the doorknob, ready to make my great escape.
Except this time around, Tony left before I could.
And you are a stupid, stupid girl, letting the name Tony slip out because you were so fucked up on the high that’s his kiss, his presence, and his cock, you didn’t realize what you said.
Now, he knows what I call him, he knows that I stole his shirt, and he knows how he makes me feel.
I watch as his taillights slowly fade into the distance before I move, and the first thing I do is close my robe while grumbling under my breath about Anthony “Tony” Gallo.
The hottest doctor who gets under my skin, soaks my panties with one small smirk, and when his mouth is on mine, well, let’s just say I’m ready to abandon all logical sense.
I grab my peppermint candy, feeling the nip in the air and realizing I’m going to freeze my tits off if I don’t get inside since the source of my heat has officially left my home.
My mouth waters when I look at the massive container, thinking about the many ways I can use them besides the usual.
There’s baking, specifically cookies, and there’s one of my favorite holiday drinks: a peppermint delight.
The possibilities are endless, and with the supply Tony gave me, I’m going to be well-stocked for at least a month.
I walk back into the house, frazzled from the kiss and the cold weather, only for my phone to start ringing. I ignore it for a moment, annoyed with myself for turning the ringer on in the first place, especially for the reason, too.
It’s official. I’m a lovelorn fool, exactly like my sister, except admitting that to myself is one thing, but saying it out loud is a different story entirely. My phone dances around the counter, the noise about to start up again when I glance down at the screen.
“Well, shit. Of course, my sister would call. What does she have, ESP or something?” I blow out a puff of air, hit the accept button, and then place her on speaker phone.
“About time you answered. It’s a good thing I’m not dying over here or busting the seams of my wedding dress.” There’s a slight panic to Shae’s tone, making me worry that the ultimate catastrophe has happened to my pregnant sister, with the wedding days away.
“Sorry, Tony stopped by to bring me peppermints,” I say without thought, too busy worrying about what we can do this last minute in the game.
Or maybe I let it slip out in order to get her mind off the subject.
It’s going to bring me more turmoil, but if it keeps her attention off the dress, I’d say my job as maid of honor is done.
I rip the lid off the container, plastic screeching, and instantly inhale the cool and invigorating scent.
The sharp, icy freshness similar to a breath of cold air is followed by a gentle herbal flavor before bursting into a slight menthol that tingles your senses.
“Excuse me, what the fuck did you just say?” Shae pauses. I unwrap a mint, the crinkling of plastic is the only noise heard from either side of the phone. “Luke, come here right now.” I roll my eyes. Leave it to my sister to bring on the dramatics.
“You heard what I said. He texted yesterday and mentioned he had found the biggest container of the soft peppermints that I love so much. And he brought it over this morning.” I make a non-committal noise, attempting to play it off as if it’s not a big deal.
“And did you pay him back with currency or something else?” I ignore her question, mostly because Luke clears his throat in the background.
“Whatever she gave him, hopefully, it’ll put him in a good mood. He’s doing rounds during the day this week before he has to rotate to nights.” I hear Luke hum, which means he’s probably kissing my sister or she’s kissing him.
“That sucks.” I suck on the mint, closing my eyes and replaying the last two moments I’ve had with Tony where we’re alone.
You know, when he can flirt, touch, and kiss me, and I can do the exact same to him.
The holding back is becoming impossible, plus, there are only so many places to run where he can’t find me.
“Apparently, so do you,” Shae says. My eyes bulge. I nearly choke on my candy, and Luke laughs, loud and deep. “Oh shit, I mean, well, yeah. Whatever you did, I don’t want to know about,” she adds quickly.
“And I’m getting off the phone. Clearly, you’re okay, unless you need me to help you with some last-minute issues?” I hate like hell to bring the topic back up, except that’s the whole reason she called.
“She’s good. I talked her through it. The zipper was stuck, and she wouldn’t let me help her,” Luke says.
“Good luck on our wedding night. That zipper is a bitch, but it could be worse.” Shae is now calm.
“It could be buttons,” we say in unison, both of us remembering a dress she tried on that was neck to tailbone covered in the tiniest and daintiest fabric-covered buttons. It was a fiasco, and while I’d do anything for my sister on her big day, dealing with those would be pushing it.
“I know my way around a scalpel. I’m not worried.” Ever the doctor.
“Okay, well, since all is good, I’m going to get off the phone, clean up around here, and I’ll see you at LITHE later today.
I’m glad Luke talked you off the ledge. I’m also unsure why you would try on your dress that should be at Mom and Dad's, by the way, or here at your home. I mean, hello, the big reveal day is this weekend. You couldn’t call and be like, “Hey, sister, I think we should do a trial run?’” This would be the sensible thing to do, at least I’d like to think so.
I’m also not pregnant, running through the gamut of emotions and worrying about things out of her control, and that includes the studio as well as the ever-present renovations going on.
“Well, I didn’t think I’d have any issues. I should have known better. I’ll see you later. Thanks for listening to me blather on, and don’t think we’re not talking more about you and Gallo. We most definitely will. I’ll pick up the coffee and croissants along the way.”
“Chocolate for me, please.” If she’s going to Oak & Brew, there’s no way I’m passing up a sweet treat.
“Yes, I well know. The usual coffee?”
“Cinnamon Swirl Iced Latte, extra cream and no sugar,” I repeat the same thing I get every single time, which is similar to Shae’s. We may be the complete opposite in looks, but when it comes to food and drinks, we’re the exact same.
“As if I don’t know. Alright, go do your thing. I’ll do mine, and we’ll see each other later.”
“Yes, later. Probably later than usual, Coralynn,” Luke says in the background.
After that, I don’t bother sticking around or saying goodbye, especially when a notification comes through, jarring my ear.
I’m learning my lesson all too quickly, keeping the volume on is about to take me out, or my hearing.
I look at the screen, not surprised in the least to see a message from Tony. The man knows how to make a girl ache in the best possible way.
Dr. Tall, Dark & Chasing Me: Thinking your kiss is only going to hold me over for so long. What’s a man got to do to see you again today?
Me: You’ll have to catch me to find out
One thing is for certain: I have a date with my showerhead before I even think about leaving the house to start my day. Especially after the kiss he laid on me and Tony obviously having no problem telling me he needs another. And, well, I want a whole lot more.