Page 28 of Seduction

After what happened to Eddie, I’m not sure I want our son to go the MC route, but if he turns out to be anything like his father, grandfather, or uncle, I know I won’t be able to stop him.

The waiter returns and takes our orders. We both get steak, so Einstein orders a bottle of red wine.

“Are you trying to get me drunk, Dr. Emerson?”

“Does that mean you’re a lightweight, Miss Hunter?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Good one, but I was merely going to let you know that I could probably drink you under the table.”

“Is that so? Second date?”

“You’re on.”

I bite my lip again, in an effort to hide my smile.Second date.

The meal lived up to its reputation. I like my steak well done, as in cooked. There’s nothing I hate more than cutting into one and seeing blood ooze out all over my plate. Yuck. This one was cooked to perfection for me—no blood, but not chewy, either.

“How are things going with the store?” Einstein asks.

“I haven’t really done anything yet. I need to call Gage’s lawyer and the interior decorator to get things rolling. You?”

“Same here. Once everything’s sorted out, I’m thinking of opening it on one of my days off each week. Kind of get things off the ground before I give up the hospital.”

“Makes sense.”

“I’m still a little in shock, to be honest. Even putting the generosity aside, I don’t know how he pulled it off without me knowing.”

“That’s my brother, always resourceful.”

“Tell me about it.” He chuckles.

“I wish I had a friendship like what you guys have.”

He stops in the middle of cutting his steak, putting down his knife and fork and giving me his undivided attention.

“Other than Eddie, I’ve never had anyone I was that close to. Not even Janet. I used to be so jealous.” I chuckle. When he notices I’m not waddling in self-pity, he goes back to eating. “I remember you coming over every day to watchStar Trek. Hell, you probably spent more time at our house than you did at yours.”

“It annoyed Gage to no end the way you used to try and sneak into his room.”

“I just wanted to be a part of it, you know. Even the trouble he would get you into.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “I guess I’ve always been Spock to his Kirk.”

“He’s lucky to have you as a friend. You balance him out.”

“What do you mean?”

“Those years you were away at school… he immersed himself in the club. I don’t know specifics, but I know he did things that weigh heavy on his soul. When you came back, he slowly did, too. You keep him walking the line. Thank you for that.”

“He’s my brother. Anything I’d do for him, I know he’d do for me.”

“I know.” He reaches out, giving my fingers a gentle squeeze. “Did you always want to be a doctor?”

“Not really. It all started after what happened to my mom.”

“Oh. Sorry. Didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

“It’s fine. It was a long time ago.”