Heartthrob (The Bennett Brothers 3)

“Well, if you’re not worried, I’m not.”

“Speaking of worried, anything I should know about Friday night? Nick tells me Mitch is

asking advice from Grandpa Roy.”

Grace and Bizzy break into giggles at the same time Nick and Shaw’s mouths curve into shit-eating grins. I take a sip of wine and press closer.

“About that. In the off-chance firearms are involved, how are you at dodging bullets?” His eyes lock with mine, the blue growing brighter, right before he throws his head back and roars.

The room erupts, and I join in until my side aches, and I’m gasping for air. He kisses the top of my head and bends so his lips are at my ear.

“Get ready. When we get these freeloaders out of here, I plan to show my appreciation for the best MDN ever.”

My stomach spasms, and I immediately think of a way to clear out our house.

"Your boyfriend was amazing today,” my co-worker, Lora, tells me as I read over my patient charts.

“I heard. It’s always nice to tell the family good news.” Mathis got the honor of meeting with one of our patient’s family today and telling them she was in remission. The girl is fifteen, and after a year of uncertainty, fear, countless treatment plans, and a recent bone marrow transplant, she is going to resume a normal life.

“It was touching. The mother and father were in tears, and she kept chanting, ‘oh, thank you, God,’ over and over. Even you would have gotten emotional.”

I picture the scene in my head and wish I was on shift today.

“I’ve met my emotional quota for a while, but I’m sure it was a beautiful scene.”

“Here he comes.”

I’d have to be blind to miss the dreamy glaze in her eyes before I turn to see Mathis strolling our way.

“Hey, babe.” He bends to kiss me briefly, his hand rounding my neck where his thumb presses against my pulse point. My heart skips a beat and begins to speed, and he grins when he feels it.

Since we’ve gotten back together, he does this often, and I’ve become accustomed to it. “You on your way home?”

“I’m going to go to the gym, order us some food, and bring it back. Evie approved you taking your break at nine.”

I straighten my spine and narrow my eyes. “Mathis, my break isn’t until eleven. You can’t go to my boss and pull your weight as my boyfriend.”

His lips twitch, and his eyes begin to dance. “Today was a good day. Today gave me a reward that I don’t get as often as I’d like. And since we can’t celebrate the way I’d prefer, I’ll settle for dinner with my gorgeous girlfriend.”

Fuck me, what can I say to that? There’s a wistful sigh behind us, and he looks over my head. “Hey, Lora.”

“Hey, Dr. Bennett.”

I forgot she was here.

“Let me walk you to the elevator,” I offer, reaching to my neck and linking his hand with mine.

He jerks his chin to her and stays close as we get out of earshot. There are several people mulling around the elevator, so I drag him around the corner to a small corridor. When I make sure we’re not visible, I crush my body to his and leap up. He catches me easily, gripping the back of my thighs

“We’re going to celebrate the right way tomorrow night,” I assure him, kissing the corner of his lips.

“I’ll take what I can get tonight.” There’s something in his voice that falls flat, and I lean back to scan his face.

“You’re working tomorrow night, aren’t you?” I assume.

He nods. “Covering for Dr. Cross. His wife is being induced early tomorrow.”

“I’ll see if I can switch shifts, and we’ll be here together.”