Page 53 of Family Jewels

Neely Kate nodded. “I’m going to make the appointment right now.”

I let Muffy wander around for another minute, then carried her inside and set her down in front of her water bowl and food dish. While she drank, she ignored her food.

Neely Kate walked into the kitchen from the living room, stuffing her phone into her front pocket. “It’s a good thing you’re ready because they have an opening in twenty minutes.”

I looked up at her in surprise. “That means I have to leave rightnow.”

She picked up my purse and handed it to me. “I’ll drive my car into town. You just take Muffy and go.”

I took my bag from her, then gasped. She seemed strangely eager, and that could only mean . . . “Oh no. Who did you make the appointment with?”

“Thevet.” She gave me a push toward the door. “Now go.”

“Dr. Romano?”

She gave me a wry grin. “Well, hedidreplace Dr. Ritchie.”

“I have to go upstairs and change!”

“What?Why?”

“I dressed up today,” I said, waving a hand down my front. “I fixed my hair and even put on makeup.”

“So . . . ?” Then she squealed. “Oh! Youdolike him!”

“No! But . . .”

“He likesyou,” she finished for me.

I flushed. “It’s not that. I’ve looked terrible the only two times I’ve seen him. He’s going to think I dressed up for him.”

“So what?” she said, her eyes sparkling. “It’s not a crime. In fact, I’m sure he’d appreciate it.”

“But I’m not . . . ready.”

Her gaze held mine. “Are you sure you’re not just scared?”

“I don’t know.” I hadn’t been scared last night when I’d tried to get James to take our relationship to the next level, but it would be pretty loose of me to try to catch the eye of another man twelve hours later.

But that hadn’t stopped James from going off to sleep with someone else.

Besides, it didn’t matter how I felt about James. Starting something with him was a terrible,terribleidea. He might have developed a conscience, but he still condoned and ordered illegal activities.

Dr. Levi Romano was cute and interested, and didn’t seem like the type of guy to have ties to criminal dealings—a definite plus. But was I interested inhim?

Neely Kate moved a few steps closer, still holding my gaze. “I’m not saying you have to go out with him. Just don’t say no because you’re scared, okay?”

I sucked in a deep breath. “Yeah. Okay.” Then headed for the front door.

I was on the front porch when Neely Kate laughed and called out, “Uh, Rose . . . I think you’re forgetting something.”

When I turned back, she was holding Muffy and wearing an ear-to-ear grin. “I’m half tempted to go with you. This should be good.”

I felt my cheeks pinken as I lifted Muffy out of her arms. “I hope I don’t make a fool of myself.”

Neely Kate’s grin softened. “Just be yourself.”

I gave her a pointed look. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”