Obsessed with a Daddy

“Probably.” I nodded. “I don’t know where I’ll end up after I finish my residency, but I don’t really want to work in a hospital for the rest of my life—I’d like to have my own practice with patients I see regularly instead of strangers—that’s kind of what I always envisioned myself doing when I decided to become a doctor.”

“Are you going to specialize in anything?” Holly tilted her head inquisitively.

“I’m technically certified for internal medicine—mainly because that was the easiest way to get a residency—but I’d rather be a family physician, so I continued my residency into family medicine.” I shrugged. “It’ll depend on what is available when I start looking for work. The hospital offered me a job, but I’m going to keep my options open.”

Holly and I walked back downstairs to the living room, and my hand grazed against hers when we got to the bottom of the steps. I don’t know if it was intentional—but I saw a flicker in her eyes and a grin on the edge of her lips before she looked away. I was out of reasons to delay her departure, even though I didn’t want her to leave. I really wasn’t sure if I was reading too much into things because I was just lonely, or if she was trying to find a reason to stay too. The attraction did seem to be mutual, but I wasn’t sure—I didn’t even know if I would ever see her again after she left. Our lives were headed in two completely different directions.

“If you ever do get your own practice one day, maybe I can be your first patient.” She turned towards me, and that beautiful smile returned.

“You’re going to come all the way back here from Arizona if you get a cold?” I chuckled under my breath.

“Maybe—it depends on your bedside manner.” She bit down on her bottom lip, and her eyes lit up.

“I’m very thorough…” I took a step closer. “I have to make sure my patients get the very best care.”

“It has been a long time since my last checkup…” Her lips were begging for a kiss, but I hesitated—too long—because her cell phone started buzzing, and it seemed to snap her back to whatever reality we were trying to forget. “It’s my mom—I guess I should go.”

“Thank you for the cookies.” I nodded and felt frustration sweep through my entire body as I realized the opportunity was gone.

I’ll think about you every time I eat one of them…

“Hey mom!” Holly pressed the cell phone to her ear and started walking towards the door. “Yes, I’m all packed up!”

I watched through the window as Holly walked to her house and disappeared inside—it was probably the last time I would ever see those gorgeous curves. I could have kicked myself for not making a move when the opportunity was right in front of me. That was why my love life was literally a dumpster fire of mental spreadsheets and wasted chances. Instead of just kissing Holly, I was thinking about why it would be a mistake—analyzing the fact that she was too young and about to leave for college. I truly didn’t know how to live in the moment because I was always thinking about the future. I made things way more complicated than they ever had to be—the look in her eyes wasn’t that complex—she didn’t just bring me cookies because she wanted to be a good neighbor.

Why couldn’t I wrap my head around that before it was too late?

The next day

I woke up fairly early and decided that a morning run was going to become part of my daily ritual in suburbia. Being able to run with a breeze on my face and fresh air in my lungs was a lot better than running on a treadmill like I had to do when I lived in the city. I waved to a few neighbors that were working in their yards, and a couple of them even said good morning. I circled the block a couple of times and slowed to a walk as I approached my house. I hoped that I would see Holly—even if she was just walking to her car because she had to go somewhere. I walked a little slower as I passed by her house, but I didn’t see any signs of her. For all I knew, she was using one of the last days of her summer vacation to sleep late—I probably would have done that if I wasn’t hardwired to leap out of bed with my eyes wide open at the first hint of dawn—regardless of how much sleep I had.

I guess I should go make sure the wine is chilled before my sister shows up—she’ll complain if I don’t.

Chapter Three

Holly

I don’t know what I was looking for when I walked over to Everette’s house with a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in my hands. Maybe I had watched too many romantic movies over the summer and started to believe that real life could imitate them. Everette was hot-as-sin and so tempting that I forgot I was a virgin who didn’t really even know how to flirt with a guy until we were standing in front of each other. I actually thought he was going to kiss me—and I wanted him to more than I wanted to draw my next breath—but then a phone call from my mother shook the fantasy out of my head. She had the worst timing, but maybe it was for the best. A kiss wasn’t going to change the trajectory of my life. I wasn’t staying in Los Angeles, and the last thing I needed to do was lose my virginity to my new neighbor—that would make every trip home extremely awkward.

His gorgeous body will probably stay seared in my mind—until I meet someone new that makes me forget all about the doctor next door.

I woke up pretty late, and I already had a text message from Amelia when I woke up. I responded to her, took a quick shower, and then went downstairs to wait for my best friend to arrive at my house. I had an emotional moment when I heard her car in the driveway—it was going to be the last time I saw her walking towards my house—the last time we got to hang out before I left for Arizona and she left on a much longer journey to the so-called Peach State. I didn’t cry when we packed up our stuff, but I felt like I was on the verge of tears when I walked to the door. I took a deep breath and fought them off when she knocked.

“Your new neighbor already has a visitor—I think he has a girlfriend.” Amelia motioned to Everette’s house.

“Really?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, she’s blonde and gorgeous—the kind of woman you’d expect a doctor to date.” Amelia walked into my house and put her purse down next to the door.

He didn’t mention a girlfriend—not that I asked. Thank god he didn’t actually kiss me!

“Oh well, all of the good ones are taken.” I sighed, partially out of disappointment, but it was sort of a relief to know there was never a chance for us.

“I’m sure there will be plenty of good ones in Arizona.” Amelia turned towards me and smiled. “Meanwhile, I’m going to be falling in love with a southern gentleman.”

“Or a redneck,” I laughed under my breath.

“I wouldn’t mind a blue-collar guy that’s good with his hands.” She shrugged, and her smile spread into a devious grin.