Chapter 6 Serena
SERENA
“Finally. Our schedules combined really suck lately,” Talia greets me as I walk across the street with Mackie’s leash in my hand.
He’s pulling me in the direction of his mom, and while I’ve been a good substitute, there’s no doubt in my mind who his first love will always be.
Mackey’s butt shakes in happiness once he’s trotted up the front porch steps and is in front of Talia.
“Yeah, well, mine are now bankers’ hours to the core.
At least you have a few days off a week.
” I counter, making my way up behind Mackie.
She already has a charcuterie board on the small coffee table, as well as two glasses and an open bottle of wine.
My weekend has come and gone in the blink of an eye.
That old saying, Time flies when you’re having fun.
Although, what I did was anything but fun: I cleaned my house, took Mackie for a walk morning, noon, and night.
Then he went on a car ride where I used the last bit of my gift card for a coffee and a pup cup before heading to my parents’.
Needless to say, Mackie got all kinds of pets and goodies while Talia was working her back-to-back shifts.
I helped Mom with some sewing projects while Dad got on the floor to play with Mackie.
Plus, a free dinner came with the visit, and Uncle Todd and Aunt Val made an appearance, which meant we talked shop for a while until Mom and her sister put a stop to it.
Thank goodness, because playing it cool when it comes to Crew is impossible.
Aunt Val brought over a treasure trove of clothing she had gone through after the incident earlier in the week, the plus side of us being the same size and her shopping addiction that seems to have always worked in my favor from the time I was a teenager.
When it came time to eat, a lot of food was ordered, but not a lot of it was consumed, mainly because we were full after the appetizers, and Mom sent me home with enough food for the next few days.
I’m well aware that this is her way of helping me out while not subjecting me to feeling horrible, like I’m loafing off them.
One day, when I’m back on my feet, steady as they come, I’ll be sure to repay the favor.
“There is that. Come and talk to me. I see a blush appearing on your chest. I know all too well what that means.” Talia has had her fair share of frogs that have yet to turn into princes, and the same could be said for myself. Except never before has a man ever made me feel the way Crew does.
“The ultimate forbidden fruit of any type of man you could be attracted to.” I plop down on the rattan-style chair beside hers, and she goes about pouring us each a healthy glassful of the red wine we both prefer. It doesn’t have to be pricy, but it can’t be white and overly sweet.
“Hmm, well, honey, there are loads of those types: ex-boyfriend’s father, stepbrother, best friend's brother. That one is out because the only besties you have are me, your mom, and your aunt. Unless there’s something you haven’t told me.
Like, say, a new friend?” Talia hands me a glass, and I take a greedy sip before she can do the same.
“No, nope, no to all. But there is my boss whom I have the hots for.” Talia looks at me like I have two heads.
“Your boss as in your uncle?” God, what is it with people trying to make me gag this week? First Crew and now Talia, and with the same person. Am I missing something, or what?
“Absolutely not. Gross, like, eww. He changed my diaper, and Aunt Val is his end-all, be-all. But ick.” I guzzle more of my wine, trying to get the thought out of my mind. I might need bleach to burn my eyes at this point.
“Come on, we listen to the same books. You know it’s possible, and I’ve seen the genes in your family.
He’s not bad to look at, either, and the same goes for your dad.
Even if you don’t want to admit it.” Talia wiggles her eyebrows, making me wonder what type of man she’s interested in.
Though, if she thinks my dad and uncle are hot, then I’d hazard a guess she likes them older.
But it’s not like I’ve seen her bring any man around, and any time I’ve brought it up, she says Mackie is all she needs for the time being.
“You’re right, you’re right. It obviously isn’t my uncle, but Crew is my uncle’s partner and is subsequently my boss. So, forbidden maybe? I guess it depends on the reader or, well, me.” I go after a piece of cheese and a grape to pop in my mouth at the same time.
“Ah, well, that’s better than breaking up the family.” Mackie nuzzles into Talia’s hand, lets out a whine for attention, and she obliges.
“No kidding. At least that drama won’t go down. Still, I’m not sure if I should act on the attraction or if it’s all in my head. I mean, the man is hot, he’s smart, and he even has a good personality. You know how some men can be in a male-dominated world, and he’s training me.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. He’s training you, too? Boy, is the plot thickening.” Talia sits upright with a look of shock on her face, so I can tell this has really gotten her attention.
“My uncle’s idea, by the way.” This time, I snag a couple of crackers and a blueberry for Mackie. He notices right away, licks his chops, and sits on his hind legs, puts his front paws together. “You’re such a good boy.” He takes the dark-colored morsel and swallows it without chewing.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but it seems like your uncle did you a favor in a big way.
As far as being in a male-dominated world, girl, you are not lying.
The new ER doctor at the hospital came up to the ICU floor since the hospital is small, and we needed help.
He barked orders, made an assistant cry, and basically laughed about it afterwards.
Luckily, I’ve got thick skin thanks to my own dad being a lot like this jerk.
Non-stop today, and I can take it as much as the next person.
Anyways, back to your boss, mine can wait.
” She picks up the bottle and gestures to me, asking if I want a refill.
“We can talk about you. I don’t mind one single bit, and yes to the wine.
I’ve got one more in me before I’m at my limit for a work night.
” Truth be told, I’d much rather talk about Talia’s work at the hospital, except I brought the subject up and she’ll dissect it with me and won’t stop until I’ve come to a decision.
“Nope.” Figures. I should have known. “Besides, a male in your field who isn’t an asshole. Tell me more.” She crosses her legs, places her elbow on her knee, propping her chin up, and looks me dead in the eye.
“Tall, dark, and handsome. The whole nine yards. A gentleman in the way he’ll guide you with the palm of his hand on your lower back, and besides me making an utter fool out of myself the first time we met, it’s that electric spark, the one that zings down your spine, makes your legs tremble, and well, let’s just say my toy has been getting a lot of use this week,” I admit.
I should feel guilty, yet I don’t. Besides, on Friday, Crew had no problem getting close to me until Uncle Todd decided to come around, and then it was like a light switch flipped.
He kept his distance, no longer worked behind me. He sat in his seat, and the whole three feet circumference for space was in full effect.
“And there’s a problem, why?” Talia asks with a sly smirk.
“Well, the hot and cold he gave me on Friday sure puts a dampener on things.” I grab a few more bites of food, needing the carbs to soak up the alcohol that will surely go to my head if I’m not careful.
“Oh, a little grumpy sunshine into the mix. This has whirlwind romance written all over it. The honest truth?”
“Always.” I may not like to hear whatever Talia has to say, but I’ll listen all the same.
“Use him for your late-night moments. As for working with him, take it one day at a time. Which isn’t what either of us likes to hear, we’re the instant gratification type of people.
In this case, though, I think you’re going to have to play it more on the safe side.
You could always ignore him, give him a taste of his own medicine.
It might make him realize what he can’t have.
” A plan is formulated: the new clothes Aunt Val gave me, a few rounds with my toy tonight, and starting off with a fresh week.
“I think you’re right. I’m going to go along with your plan. Now tell me what happened with Doctor Dickhead.” We’ve made a huge dent in the board, each of us gorging on the goods. Next time, when it’s my turn, I’ll have to make extras because clearly, we really got to eating while talking.
“Eh, he’s not that important, and hopefully, we won’t have to deal with him again.
This is why you’ll never catch me shitting where I eat.
Especially in my industry, for some reason, you either have decent doctors or the worst of the worst.” Talia takes a deep breath, pours herself another drink, and now I’m kind of wishing I had tomorrow off so I could do the same.
ICU nurses, or any other nurse working in a hospital or doctor’s office, well, you have to be a saint, and they don’t get paid nearly enough for what they put up with.
“Never say never.” Talia does this thing with her lips, blowing out air and making a bubbling noise.
“For this, I will. My rule will stay my rule. I want a man who can use his hands, isn’t afraid to get dirty, and isn’t one of those gym-type buff guys.
Now, enough about me. Get out of here. You have work tomorrow.
I’m going to take this lug inside, put on my pajamas, and crash myself.
” She stands up, and I start to gather a few things to help.
“I’ll help you out. A second set of hands will make it go faster.” We go through the paces with Mackie following us, hoping to get another scrap of food, and he most likely will, too.
“Thanks again for watching Mackie. You’re his favorite, way more than my parents. Plus, he’s so strong that sometimes I worry he’ll pull them too much, and I’ll see them in the hospital while I’m working.”
“Anytime. I love the goofy dude. He’s a good snuggle buddy, too.” I drop the wine glasses and bottle of wine on the counter before bending down to give Mackie some attention before heading out.
“Still, it’s appreciated. Now get out of here, have a date night with the man of your dreams, and keep me posted. I want all the juicy details.” Talia and I hug, I tell her to keep her phone handy for updates via text, give one last goodbye rub to Mackie, and head home.