Private Partners (Doctors in Training 2)

“See you Monday, Nick. Enjoy your weekend.”

“Yeah. You, too.”

Anne looked at Liam again when the two men had moved on. “What?”

“He’s got a thing for you.”

She shook her head. “We’re just friends. He asked me out last year, but I turned him down and we’ve moved on. He didn’t hold a grudge—or a torch.”

“You’re wrong there. He’s still interested. I know the signs.”

Flustered, she picked up her drink again. “I think you’re mistaken.”

Though Liam was smiling faintly, his eyes were somber. “I just wish I could make it clear to him, and everyone else, that you’re off the market.”

It wasn’t like him to sound so territorial. She wasn’t sure how she felt about his tone. “I can handle that myself,” she said lightly. “Let’s talk about the movie. What did you think of the actor who played the big baddie?”

Liam hesitated only a moment before following her conversational lead. Perhaps he’d realized that this was neither the right time nor place to discuss their relationship.

As for herself, she planned to put off that conversation for as long as she could. Mostly because she had no idea what she would say if he ever asked her to choose between him and the vow of secrecy that she’d cravenly hidden behind for the past year and a half.

Chapter Six

In keeping with their agreement that Anne would continue with her schedule as if nothing had changed, she left Liam in the apartment the next morning while she joined Haley for the shopping excursion they had planned the week before. He assured her that he would utilize the time alone to work on his revisions and urged her to take as long as she wanted with her friend. She needed the girls’ day out, he said.

Anne might have enjoyed the shopping outing a bit more if Haley hadn’t had such a hard time finding anything that pleased her.

“What’s the problem with this top?” Anne asked in bewilderment, motioning toward the very cute wrap-style blouse Haley was trying on. “It looks great on you. The color is very flattering.”

Haley twisted in front of the mirror with a look of dissatisfaction on her face. “I don’t know. It’s pretty low-cut.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s not too revealing, it’s just flirty enough. You’ve got a great figure. What’s wrong with showing it off a little?”

“I don’t know…”

“Haley, this is the tenth top you’ve tried on, and you haven’t been satisfied with any of them. That isn’t like you. What’s wrong?”

Haley sighed and shrugged. “I guess I’m having second thoughts about this date tonight. Maybe I should cancel.”

“Why? I thought you said the guy’s really nice.”

“He is. I just don’t really have time to deal with dating someone new right now. You know how it is.”

“I know you need a night out to have fun.” Anne thought of her own lovely time with Liam last night. “Trust me, you’ll feel so much better after spending an evening away from the books.”

“Oh, I know. It’s just…well, first dates are so awkward and weird. I just don’t know if I’ve got the energy for that now.”

Which wasn’t something Anne had had to worry about with Liam. After knowing each other so long, they were comfortable with each other. Most of the time, she mentally amended, thinking of the occasional awkward moment when they both tried to avoid talking about their future. Or her family. Or their unconventional marital arrangement.

Okay, maybe she did understand why Haley was hesitant to get involved with anyone now. Still, she didn’t think one date would necessarily lead to the kind of complications she and Liam had gotten themselves into.

“Just go on the date,” she urged, pushing her own quandaries aside to concentrate on her friend. “Have a great time. If you don’t want to see him again after tonight, don’t.”

Haley smiled self-consciously. “You’re right. I’m making a mountain out of a teacup, aren’t I?”

“Confusing mixed metaphors notwithstanding—yes, you are.”

It pleased her when Haley laughed before turning back to the mirror. “So, you really think this top looks good?”