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It didn’t matter what she thought of me because Forrest was making abstract symbols onmythigh, not hers. Was she comparing herself to me the way I was studying her?

At one point in time, I’d feared I wasn’t good enough for him. He’d dated doctors who were supposed to be intelligent, but after tonight, I had to revisit my doubts. Julie may have been a doctor with years of education, but she lacked empathy, compassion, and common sense. Shouldn’t those be requirements for doctors to communicate with their patients?

Was Julie one of those people who only wanted the title and didn’t care about what came with that responsibility? To some people, status equaled worthiness.

David switched to a conversation on his upcoming agenda. He talked about his work schedule when he returned to Dallas and how he wanted to be updated on the Ba7M5Bu88Project. He seemed like a decent guy—a decent doctor.

Julie tossed me a look laced with poison. “Since you’re into alternative medicine, Kiera, what have you learned that was useful?”

I knew she wasn’t genuinely curious about me. She only wanted me to look bad in front of Forrest, but since my mom’s illness, I’d been doing more research and had gained some knowledge.

“Well, I’ve learned that certain mushrooms are good for you, like the reishi, chagam, shiitake, turkey tail, and lion’s mane—which is abrain booster. You should try it. I hear it clears up brain fog.” I pasted a lovely smile on my face.

David cleared his throat again as he reached for the glass of water since he’d already finished his cocktail. The poor guy probably had never felt so uncomfortable sitting at a table with two women who disliked each other. I didn’t have a problem with Julie until she started insulting me.

“I loved knowing that penicillin is fungus. It just shows that cures for diseases can be found in nature.” I looked at Forrest, and delight flickered in his eyes.

I continued on about what I’d learned, and how the medical community should all work together to find the best remedies by trying novel approaches. Forest and David kept quiet as they listened to me talk. Julie probably regretted asking me about my knowledge.

“You should be a doctor,” David said. “The passion in your voice is awfully convincing. I bet you could join a research team and you’ll end up finding all the cures. Do you agree Forrest?”

Forrest drew the words “Dr. Sexy K” on my thigh.

“David’s right. Are you interested?”

I snorted, and didn’t care that it was unladylike. “No thanks, I’ll leave that to the experts.”

“I can hook you up. I work with several research labs, but I also have my own. There’s one in Providence, and I think you’d be a great fit.” He smiled at me, and I could tell he genuinely wanted me working in his lab.

“She’ll need all the prerequisites, otherwise anything she does is meaningless,” Julie chimed in.

What a bitch.

A part of me wanted to join just to spite her. But I had no time and didn’t need more stress.

I made a mental note to send Dr. Julie Allen acurated self-care package with the phrase. It would include a bottle of lion’s mane mushroom to help her small mind and a package of chocolate-covered laxatives to help her release that toxic behavior. Because my mom raised me well, I’d add a gift card so she could get a salad on my behalf. But if she continued with the rude remarks, I’d toss in bar soaps after I rolled them around in a bush of poison ivy.

You’re evil.

Sometimes you’ve got to treat evil with evil, right?

I was a nice person—when people didn’t step on my toes. Dr. Julie Allen needed a character cleansing.

“I’ll think about the offer, but as of right now, my schedule is packed with taking pictures of hot guys.”

Julie grinned as though my answer settled her nerves. I was too tired to say anything else.

Underneath the table, Forrest kept squeezing my hand. The strong mass of his palm made my small hand feel safe and secured. I extracted my hand from his grip and drew the word “trouble” on his thigh with my index finger.

He drew: “What time is sexy text appt?” Then he added a smile too close to my inner thigh. The tickle soon bloomed to arousal. The corners of his mouth inched up as he sensed the change in my body.

I didn’t know if I had the energy for any sexy text exchange tonight. It might have to be postponed.

The waitress came and asked if anyone wanted dessert. We all declined. This entire situation was strange. It was like we were making out under the table while his ex-girlfriend glared at me.

When it was time to leave, David offered to give Julie a ride back to her hotel. She ignored me while she told Forrest to have a good night.

I told Forrest, “I took an Uber here. I can take one back.”