Greyson
That’s the first time I’ve said those words out loud. It’s the first time I’ve admitted to the reason why I left and joined my father’s practice. What hurts worse than the admission, is the knowledge that my father knows. He knows that I’m here because I had no other choice, not because I wanted to carry on his practice and name. Saying them to Sherry right now causes my lungs to restrict, blocking all the air that I should be passing through them. It was before her. Either way I feel like I’ve betrayed her in some way. That I’m not the person she once thought I was. Will this news change her judgment of me? Yes, it’s always been an unspoken commitment that I would come back and run the practice. The only problem was I didn’t see myself owning it. I loved working for the practice that I was at in Georgia; it just so happens I might’ve enjoyed it a little too much.
Time is standing still as I watch Sherry shift uncomfortably on the couch where she’s soaking in the last words that were spoken. I don’t know if I should say something or wait this one out. Let her be the one who responds. Heaven knows I don’t want to dig my own grave more than I have already. Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and run my hands through my hair, waiting for silky voice to cut through the silence. With hooded eyes, I take a chance to look up through my hands at her, gauging the situation more than I have.
“It appears we both have secrets. I have to ask this before we move forward. Are you still in love with her?”
Relief fills my chest, as if ten pounds was just lifted from my shoulders. Lifting my head, I stare into her eyes when I answer. “No, it was the thrill of keeping it to ourselves. It was nothing but a fling, one that was stupid and almost cost me my career.”
“Why? If they weren’t married, why would it cost you anything?”
“He still loved her, they have a child, and I guess he was under the impression they were going to work things out.”
“How did he find out?”
“I was leaving when he pulled in with their son. We thought we had plenty of time for me to be out of there before he arrived. Just so happens he wanted to surprise her with takeout,” I say, shrugging it off as I don’t want to rehash the event. But if that’s what it takes, I’ll do it for her.
“Am I the only one who knows?”
“No, my dad heard through the rumor mill apparently. I’m not proud of my actions, but I can’t go back and redo it. I have to live with it and move on.”
“Technically, you didn’t do anything wrong. I mean… I think there’s some bro-code or something like that so, yes, you broke that one.”
“Seems I did,” I say as my voice is laced with a hint of laughter. Only Sherry would bring up a bro-code.
“I have another question. Have you ever cheated on a prior girlfriend?”
“No, and I don’t ever plan to either.”
“That’s good to know…” Sherry says before pausing. I watch as she shifts her lips from side to side, in deep thought before continuing. “Would it be safe to assume that you still want to take me out for dinner and maybe date me?”
I stand from my chair, Sherry mirroring my actions as we move toward each other. My arm snakes around her waist, pulling her to me. My head leans down, hovering over her mouth while my eyes watch her lick her lips. She’s waiting for my next move, or words to be spoken. I hesitate longer than needed, only to draw the longing in her eyes out that peer up at me. “It’s safe to say that and maybe more,” I finally give in and say before I slide my other hand up her neck to pull her mouth closer to me. Our kiss starts gentle, a moment of truth and accepting of each other. Quickly it becomes carnal, more than expected. It’s when I pull away that I become shocked from my miniature blonde bombshell. Before I can speak, move, or say another word, Sherry grabs the front of my shirt with both hands, leans up on her tippy toes, and kisses me like no other woman ever has before. My breath hitches in my throat from the passion that she’s giving me. It’s now that I realize if we don’t head back down to the party, we will never leave this apartment.
Breaking our connection, I say with heavy breaths, “We need to go back down, or I’m going to explore your body as if I’m on a treasure hunt.
“I agree, we need to go, but I’ll take a raincheck on that hunt,” she says, winking at me. It causes me to laugh as I take her hand into mine and lead her to the door. The connection doesn’t break as we walk to the elevator. Inside, away from the world, we share another kiss, this time gentle and conservative.
Hand in hand, we step out into the lobby and head toward the poolside party that we left a while ago. Right before I open the door to exit, Sherry pulls me to the side. “What are we? I mean, if we go back outside holding hands and googly-eyed, people will stare and suspect something.”
“Let them talk. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my girlfriend and we are going to give this thing a go. For some reason, I think the universe is trying to play matchmaker.”
“What about the rules? The doctor/patient thing and well… I just don’t know.”
“Aren’t rules meant to be broken for the right reasons? Plus, I’m sending your file to Dr. Cooper as soon as I return to the office. You’ll no longer be my patient.”
“Some rules are meant to be broken, I guess.”
“Come on, Sherry, it’s not like I’m dragging you to the altar. It’s a date and let’s see where this goes, okay?”
“Okay,” is all she says before she smiles up at me. I’m worried that she’s going to get lost in that pretty blonde head of hers. I’ll just need to find a way to keep her out of it.
“Can we not date until after my test?” she asks right before she breaks contact with me and heads over to speak with my parents who I realize waited for us to return. Dad gives me a look, a silent one, asking if everything is okay. I nod my head and grab a beer from the bar that’s set up in the area. Before taking a sip, I notice how comfortable my parents are with her. How my mom treats her like family, and dad stares down at her in admiration. Seems that in the time I was gone, they’ve been busy here without me. I had no idea how close they truly are. It doesn’t matter, because once you meet Sherry, you know you’ll find a way to keep her in your life for as long as you can.