Page 86 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

KAI

L ucián Alguacil comes into my office on Thursday for a consultation along with his wife. “I’m nervous about this operation, Dr. Bowen,” he says, gripping his wife’s hand.

Me too.

“Every surgery carries risks,” I agree with him. “But the mean success rate for coronary bypass operations is ninety-eight percent. You’re young. The blockages aren’t severe. You’re a very good candidate for this procedure.”

He really is. As much as I want to rage at Joanna, she’s lined up the perfect patient. No surgery is totally routine, but this is as close as it gets.

I answer their questions for the next fifteen minutes and soothe their nerves as best as I can. Once they’ve left, Jayla walks into my office. “So you’re doing it?”

“Sure looks like it.”

“How’s the hand?”

I hold up my fingers. “It’s steady,” Jayla remarks. “Are you seeing signs of improvement?”

“Yes.” I have to give Avery credit. As much as I snapped her head off, it really had helped to identify my fears and work on a backup plan. “It’s getting a lot better. I’m hoping to be good to go in time, but if not, Rajesh is lined up to step in.”

She smiles slyly at me. “Admit it,” she says. “You found the workshop useful. I’m assuming I’ll see you there tomorrow?”

“Stop gloating,” I tell my friend severely. “It’s a bad look on you.”

She laughs. “So you know this woman, do you?”

“I’m surprised it’s taken you almost a week to pump me for information,” I tell her wryly.

“Unlike you cardiovascular surgeons, we neurologists actually work, Dr. Bowen,” she replies with a grin. “Tell me everything.”

“There’s nothing to tell.” Nothing except for the fact that we’d gone out to dinner on Tuesday night, the three of us, and caught a movie after. We’d sat in the darkened theater, and I’d made her come with my fingers, while Maddox kissed her, muffling her little whimpers of pleasure.

She had to work late yesterday, but she’s coming over for dinner again tonight. Maddox is going to grill some steaks on my scarcely-used grill, and I’m going to make a salad, and we’re going to have a meal together, just like normal people do. Like a date.

Sometimes, when you really want something, getting it feels anti-climactic. Not so with Avery. Hanging out with her, talking to her, making conversation, touching her body, listening to her sweet whimpers of pleasure—it’s every bit as good as I thought it would be. Better.

Jayla raises an eyebrow. “I very much doubt it,” she says. “I saw the way you looked at her at the bar. You couldn’t take your eyes off her.” She pats my shoulder. “I’ve been waiting for a very long time for you to find someone who will make you happy. I’m so glad you’ve finally met her.”

Avery does make me happy. I haven’t been this content since Dublin.

And how did that end?

I dismiss that voice. What happened ten years ago is in the past. Things will be different this time around.