Page 75 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Shelley loved the way he smiled at her friend.He wasn’t just putting up with Harper for her sake; he seemed to genuinely like her.He certainly found her amusing, and that was a relief—some people didn’t know how to take Harper.

“I’ll do better than tell you—I’ll get you a case as a housewarming gift when you find yourself a place.”

Harper laughed.“Will you get me two cases if it’s only a one-bedroomed place?”

Shelley gave her a puzzled look, not following, but Trip seemed to understand.“No, I know the two of you are looking for a place together.Shelley already told me that.”

Harper sat up straight.“Well, just so long as you know that if she wants to move out again after we find it, I’m more than capable of paying my own rent.”

Shelley gave her a puzzled look.

Harper laughed.“I’m trying to reassure Trip that when you guys are ready to move in together, I won’t get in the way!”

Shelley’s heart started to pound.She slowly turned to look at Trip.He wasn’t upset, as she’d feared he might be.In fact, he looked happy!She wasn’t all that happy with Harper for throwing it out there like that, but …

“Okay, so I think I just put my foot in it.I can see myself out.”

Shelley laughed.“You’re fine.It’s okay.”

Trip nodded his agreement.“I don’t mind you bringing it up—and I’m happy to hear it.”

Harper got to her feet.“Good, then I’ll leave you kiddies to enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“What do you mean?”Shelley got up to join her.

Harper rolled her eyes.“I mean that I’m going back to your place now, and you’re not coming.”

“But I …”

“I only had one glass of wine.I know the way—and I have GPS and a phone if I get lost.Why do you think I insisted that I should drive?”

“I thought you wanted to get used to driving out here and to get to know your way around.”

“I did—so that I’ll be perfectly fine going home by myself.”She smiled at Trip.“Do you have a problem with it?”

Shelley loved that he checked in with her before he answered.

Harper laughed.“Just from the way you looked at Shelley, your answer came in loud and clear—you love the idea, but only if Shelley’s okay with it.”

He gave her a rueful shrug.

“Then I shall bid you both goodnight.”She came to hug Shelley, and Trip came to kiss her cheek.

“Will you text Shelley when you get home?”Trip asked.

“I will.”She winked at Shelley.“He’s a keeper!”

They walked her out to her car, and she smiled as she got in.“I’ll be fine.You guys have fun, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

They stood outside the kitchen door, watching her car until the taillights disappeared.

Trip wrapped his arm around her shoulders.“I wasn’t expecting this.”

She turned to face him.“Me neither.”

“She’s a good friend.”

“The best.”