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“It’s not about that, and you know it. But fine. You have him drop you right at the door, and your friends better be waiting for you there. I want eyes on you at all times.”
Huffing, I release my arms from their crossed position. “You are so ridiculous. Fine. That’s where we were supposed to meet anyway.”
“I’m serious, Quinny. No driving yourself. If you do, I’ll know. And watch your back, okay? Call if you need anything.”
“Will do,” I say, knowing it’s easier just to agree. “Did you come to tell me something?” I ask, redirecting the conversation once again.
“Oh. Yeah. Dinner’s at six tonight. Don’t be late. Cheryl’s cooking lobster thermidor.”
He grins, his eyes dancing as I release an appreciative groan. He knows how much I love Cheryl’s lobster.
“I’ll be there,” I assure him, my mouth watering already.
“I figured you’d say that,” he teases, playfully mussing my hair.
I swat at his hand, but he’s already turning to leave.
“Brat!” I call after him.
He doesn’t respond, but I can tell he’s laughing from the way his shoulders silently shake.
Glancing down at my phone, I jolt as I realize I’m running late. I lost track of time between fixing Lance’s stitches and Killian showing up unexpectedly at just the wrong time.
Closing my door, I race to get ready, changing from my loose-fitting casual dress to a pair of high-waist jean shorts and a yellow crop top. Then I slip on some wedge heels, apply a light coat of mascara to my lashes, and snag my leather shoulder strap purse before rushing for the door.
It’s been awhile since I went shopping with Kayla and Ellie, and I hate making them wait.
Wrangling Scott to give me a ride proves to be another delay, and I’m flustered, on the brink of giving up and driving myself—even if it would bring Killian’s full fury down on my head—when I finally run into him slipping out of the kitchen pantry.
From the flush in Cheryl’s cheeks, I have a pretty solid inkling of what they were doing in the enclosed space.Great, even our chef and driver are hooking up, but do I get to know what sex is like? Noooo.Because I have an overprotective big brother and a crush that’s never going to look at me that way.
“There you are, Scott. I need you to take me downtown. I’m running pretty late.”
“Of course, miss,” he says, tugging on the lapels of his blazer as Cheryl casts me a bashful smile.
And though I’m hit with a dose of unreasonable envy over her secret tryst, I return the smile to show her I’m not angry.
Scott is pulling the car up out front within minutes, and I slide into the back seat.
“Brookfield Place please,” I say, pulling my phone out of my back pocket to text the girls that I’m running late but on my way. Then I slump back against the Escalade’s plush leather because I can’t do anything to speed things up further.
Traffic isn’t on my side, and it takes us nearly forty-five minutes to get across the bridge and into the city. By then, the girls still haven’t answered me. And when the mall finally comes into view, I’m buzzing with anticipation to see them. With all the hours of study I’ve been doing lately, along with clinicals, I think it’s been almost three months since our last coffee date.
I hope they’re not pissed or think I forgot.
“Here’s fine, Scott,” I say, grabbing the door handle before he’s fully pulled to a stop.
“Give me a shout whenever you’re ready to be picked up,” he says. “I’ll stay nearby.”
“Thank you!” I call as I slip out of the SUV and close the door behind me. Then I race toward the glass doors of the shopping mall.
I scan the front of the building as I walk, searching for my girls. But they’re not waiting in our usual spot. Frowning, Islow and take a closer look, but neither Kayla’s signature purple pixie cut nor Ellie’s dark hair and wide smile stand out in the pedestrians making their way across the sidewalk.
Stepping aside to get out of the flow of foot traffic, I pull my phone out once more and find a text from Ellie.
Sorry, girl! Just saw your text. We figured you were running late, so we went inside to grab coffees. Come meet us at Matchaful.
Glancing over my shoulder, I check to see if Scott’s still here. Thankfully, he’s already pulled away because Killian would murder me if he found out I broke his rule right out the starting gate.