The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

a woman into some bushes?” I huffed, wiping myself off.

“One that has to put up with your crazy ass,” she answered quickly. “Kudos to Dean.”

“It’s not funny. How did you know I was here?”

“Beatrice,” she said simply, as if I should know better.

“Of course,” I said, scanning my sister. “You doing okay?” She looked exhausted. It was apparent by the small circles under her eyes that she hadn’t been sleeping.

“It’s just a lot with the wedding. I’m so thankful for all you and Mom have done, but it’s just a lot.”

“Whatever you need,” I offered as she walked with me back into the hospital.

“So are you going to come clean?” she asked as I froze at the door. I looked at my sister as she slowly crossed her arms in front of her and pursed her lips.

“Rose, I don’t know what to say. I couldn’t think of a good time to tell you.” Clearly, my sister knew about my plans in oncology. I hated the fact that she’d found out the way she did.

“I’m happy for you! I always knew Dean would be the one.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “It’s so easy to see you two are crazy for each other, why would I mind?”

“Oh, Dean, yeah.” I checked my phone to keep from meeting her watchful eye.

Rose took a step forward, scrutinizing me. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“We need to talk and soon, but today is not the day.” Opening the door, I ushered her through.

“Fine,” she said, looking at her phone for the time. “I have fifteen minutes until lab. I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I’ll be buried in my books for the next few weeks so text me.”

I nodded and gave her a half-hug.

“Dallas, I know how badly the break up hurt you. I never told you this because you’ve always been so tight lipped, but I want you to know I’m here for you…you know, if you want to talk.”

I pushed out a breath in frustration. “I just broke up with Josh, and I’m trying to do better here. I hardly have time for anything else.”

She simply nodded and started walking. “Bye,” I said, drawing out the word in exaggeration. Though Rose and I had always been close, I’d never really told her the truth about the years I was away at college. I’d kept most of my time with Dean and after to myself, never revealing too much.

After work, I decided to get in some much-needed exercise. I saw Dean’s Jag in the garage and looked at my cell for a message, cursing my weakness at wanting to hear from him already. I was rewarded.

DEAN: Tonight?

I waited until I was in my car to answer. My insatiable craving for him was awakened with his touch. As long as I didn’t let my heart lead, I was safe. I knew it would not take much to be in over my head. I was walking a very tight rope with little to no net already.

DALLAS: Maybe.

I decided being indecisive was better. I told him I’d wanted to take things slow. Becoming dependent on him was not an option. I wanted control over my emotions. I couldn’t afford to let them run rampant. I would keep the promise to myself to do better with my health, and make my career my priority. If Dean was sincere about having a place in my life, he would have to make do with my best-laid plans.

I took the treadmill at a leisurely pace, cursing my stupidity. My thighs were burning in seconds. I noticed the gym filling up and ignored my surroundings as much as possible. Running outside in Texas during early fall could be fatal on the days the bogus weather decided to bring summer temperatures. I hated jogging in place. It was probably the liberal part of me talking. My mother had imbedded the thought that joining the masses in a room full of health nuts was a type of conformity. Or maybe it was the fact that I hated working out. Either way, I groaned as I picked up the pace and started the long trek into my first mile.

I felt his eyes on me first. I turned in his direction to see he was openly staring at me. I felt my chest tighten as I stared back. Josh was on the treadmill diagonal to mine. We had joined the gym together and had never run into each other once in the entire time we had the membership. I cursed the fate that had brought us back into the same room. The truth was, I’d missed him. The friend he was to me. He knew my habits, my moods, and he knew how to make the bitchy me smile. He’d been my best friend. I stopped my machine and walked off, but he stopped me before I reached the locker room.

“How are you?”

“I thought we weren’t going to do this.” My voice was shaking. I felt horrible guilt knowing I had just bedded Dean last night. The way he was staring at me now, it was if he knew.

“I know what I said,” he said tightly. “I just had to ask you.”

“I’m fine. I’m working a lot.”

I let my eyes wander over his tight fitting t-shirt and loose shorts. His hair was pulled back in a low, short ponytail. I was filled with the recollection of our time together and felt a painful tug in my chest.