Adore Me (Austin Singles 3)

“Nothing. Girl talk,” I replied.

“Staying clear of that,” Nash stated.

“How was your day?” Kaelynn asked.

He smiled, and the way they looked at each other had me glancing away for a moment.

My eyes caught a guy sitting at the counter. He must have sensed me looking at him, because he looked up. He smiled, so I smiled. He was cute. Looked like he had a nice body. I couldn’t see a ring on his finger. I wonder if he would turn me down, too, if I asked him to take me in the bathroom stall of this restaurant. Maybe I could squeeze my eyes shut tight and pretend he was Blake.

Blake. Ugh. Get out of my head!

I groaned internally. What in the world was wrong with me?

“Hellish. Dad is giving me shit about a project. Then I had to deal with Blake.”

My head snapped to the left, and I looked at Nash. “Blake? What about him?”

He shrugged, and Kaelynn gave me a suspicious look. I ignored her and focused on my brother.

“I have no damn clue. He’s been acting weird the last couple of weeks. He stopped by work a few days ago and said he needed to talk.”

Holding my breath, I tried to calm my heart beat. He wouldn’t dare tell Nash about my proposition.

“About what?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“No clue. He was talking in circles and not making any sense. He’s been in a hell of a bad mood too. Today he nearly bit off the waitress’s head for bringing

him the wrong drink. I think he’s in a slump.”

“A slump?” Kaelynn and I asked together.

“Yeah, no sex. He’s been working long hours, and I know he hasn’t been going out like he used to.”

“Maybe he’s just settling down,” Kaelynn said, glancing to me with a raised brow. How in the hell was she putting this together? It had to be the pregnancy hormones sharpening her intuition.

I adverted my eyes.

Nash sighed. “I have no idea. Something is going on with him, though. He mentioned something about going out tonight. Let’s hope his dry spell ends.”

A pain shot right through the middle of my chest, nearly taking my breath away. Clearing my throat, I stood. “I remembered I have to write up notes on my two patients today. I’ll catch up with y’all later.”

They both stood for hugs. Nash pulled me in first, placing his mouth near my ear and asking in a low voice, “Are you okay?”

Drawing back, I looked him in the eyes. It had always been hard hiding things from my brother. With him, I seemed to always wear my emotions on my sleeve.

“Yes. Just a rough time of year.”

He kissed my cheek. “I love you, sis.”

My heart suddenly felt full. “I love you more, Nash.”

Kaelynn took her turn, wrapping me in a tight hug and whispering, “Is something going on with you and Blake?”

I laughed and drew back. “You’re crazy. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Bye, Morgan. Call me, please,” Kaelynn said as she waved.

Hurrying away, I replied over my shoulder, “I will!”