Dr. Stud

“When can I see her again?” I ask timidly.

“Whenever you want!” comes a voice through the iPad.

“I think that’s Royce,” Spencer explains with a shy shrug. “I think we should go find Sully, is that all right?”

I stand up slowly, realizing I’m still kind of stiff from oversleeping.

“How about breakfast?” I ask hopefully. “I’d still like to get a shower, maybe get ready? If that’s all right with you?”

He nods, pressing his lips together as though slightly embarrassed he didn’t think of that first.

“Of course, of course,” he says in a rush. “I’ll make arrangements and text you the details, will that do? Two hours?”

Taking a moment to smile at him, I wait for him to catch my eye. I just want to see what’s in his eyes. He’s a little shy and it’s hard to know exactly what he’s thinking.

When he does meet my eyes, there’s a spark. I see him flinch just a little bit. I know he feels it too.

“Two hours will be perfect,” I answer finally. “I can’t wait.”

Chapter 9

Sully

I can’t explain it, but two seconds before she emerges from the elevators, I know she is going to be there. With absolute certainty, I know it will be this moment.

The elevator doors open and she glances around uncertainly, brushing a wisp of her bangs back from her eyebrows. When she sees me, she breaks into a

wide, dimpled smile.

She must have studied dance or something, because the way she crosses the lobby is lighter than air, almost like a ballerina. Too quick for those little feet, which are currently strapped into scarlet sandals.

“Hi, good morning!” she grins, staring up at me excitedly.

She’s wearing a fluttery blue dress with a V-neck top, tied with a ribbon on one side of her waist. I love it that she wears these feminine but practical dresses. She has the perfect figure for them too. The top highlights her unblemished skin and breasts, and the skirt length accentuates those strong, lithe legs. Though she is quite petite, her legs are proportionally quite long, and her hips wide and sturdy. I bet she would…

“You look beautiful this morning,” I force myself to say, banishing all other thoughts from my mind. I want to stay focused, to see if I can ascertain what my brothers have been alluding to.

“Thank you very much,” she chirps, executing a quick curtsy. “And you look very handsome.”

Her smile is dazzling in the morning light. She seems very direct. Assertive. From what my brothers say, she’s quite good at describing her wants and needs.

Anyway.

“I take it you’ve never been on Lake Michigan before?”

Her eyes go wide, her cheeks pinken.

“We’re going on the lake?” she says in an awestruck whisper. “Should I change clothes? What do I need to wear?”

“You’re perfect the way you are,” I smile, unable to resist her infectious grin. “We’ll go sailing another time, but I thought breakfast at the harbor would be a fun experience for you. Does that sound all right?”

“That sounds like… I don’t even know! But I’m hungry…”

“Wonderful,” I find myself saying, offering her my arm.

The doorman opens the doors for us, carefully keeping his eyes elevated over my head. But I know what he’s thinking. Everyone here remembers Nina. Everybody remembers how wonderful she was. How enchanting, like a fairy tale sprite occupying the hotel. She charmed the staff, winning them over.

When she left, she didn’t say anything she shouldn’t have. She didn’t malign us to the staff or anything. No vicious attacks of gossip.