Page 33 of Diamonds

I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his stubbly cheek.“It’s a date then.”

He flashes me a dazzling smile.“I can’t wait, Alissa.”

I check my watch.“I’d better get moving if I want to catch the L on time.”

He holds up a hand.“I’ll drive you to work.”

“But don’t you want to go and get your shop opened?You can at least catch the after-work crowd.”

“If there were ever a reason to take a day off, last night was it.”He grabs his keys out of his pocket and jingles them.“I insist.”

“I mean, if youinsist.”

“I do.”He offers me his arm.“I’ll walk you down.”

We leave the apartment—I double-check the locks on the doors—and descend the stairway.Maddox’s Rolls-Royce is still parked out front, and we get in.

He puts his keys into the ignition and the vehicle roars to life.Classical music comes through the radio.

A warmth fills my cheeks.“You kept the classical station on.”

“Of course.”He shrugs.“I’m dating a classical musician.I have to learn as much as I can about her chosen field.”

I wrinkle my forehead.“My chosen field is nursing.”

“Oneof your chosen professions, then.There’s not exactly a nursing station on the radio.”

I fold my arms.“Fair enough.”

The drive into town is smooth with very little traffic.Maddox pulls into the garage where he parks when he’s at Aces and, as always, jumps out of his seat as soon as we’re parked to open the door for me.

We take the elevator down to street level and walk to the front door of St.Charles General.

He wraps his arms around me.“Have a great day, baby.I can’t wait until the next time I see you.”

I squeeze his waist.“Me neither.”

“Maddox!Alissa!”

I break the embrace to see Dr.O’Rourke waving at us through mittened hands.He looks as gorgeous as ever, a scarf with thick stripes of blue and white around his neck and a dark overcoat over his medical jacket.I’d be staring at him if he didn’t pale in comparison to the man I’m currently embracing.

Maddox grins.“Harrison.Was wondering if I’d run into you.”

Dr.O’Rourke grins.“I see you two are still an item.”

“You could say that,” Maddox says.

Dr.O’Rourke elbows Maddox in the ribs.“This asshole isn’t giving you too much trouble, is he?”

“Not at all, Doctor.”I look up at Maddox.“I’ve found him quite charming.”

Dr.O’Rourke laughs.“Well, you’ll find out soon enough what a bastard he is.”

“Thanks,Harry,” Maddox says sharply.

Dr.O’Rourke’s eyes twitch.“I told you never to call me that.”

“I’ll stop calling you that when you stop antagonizing me in front of my girlfriend.”