Forty Day Fiancé (Sassy in the City 3)

And I would do anything to make sure she stayed in New York as my fiancée.

Fourteen

Having spent the better part of a year at home working behind a camera or behind my computer screen I was worried my social skills would be rusty. But I found I was actually really enjoying interacting with Michael’s colleagues and of course, the children who were the special guests for the orthopedic department’s Christmas party fundraiser.

Michael had told me that he had debated pediatric orthopedics back in med school but hadn’t felt like he could stay emotionally removed enough. He’d felt much more comfortable working with adults.

But watching him interact with the kids proved that he might not be the right surgeon for a child, but he was an awesome advocate and friend. He was full of high fives, dad jokes, and hugs. After being introduced to a flurry of people I had hung back while he greeted the kids and their parents. He’d told me most had suffered some sort of traumatic bone injury due to a car crash or things of that nature. A few had been born with genetic malformations and watching their joy at this event had me tearing up.

It was a fundraiser, but it was also a Christmas carnival, complete with an indoor Ferris wheel and Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. I was surprised Michael hadn’t campaigned to be Santa Claus himself but he said the hospital hired an actual actor every year. When he’d first told me one of his demands was that I attend his work holiday party with him, I’d been picturing a traditional cocktail party with little black dresses, an open bar, and awkward small talk with people juggling tapas plates in their hands.

This was a thousand times better than that. I felt like I’d fallen into holiday happiness. The music was cheerful, the decoration larger-than-life, with a toy theme, and I was sipping a non-alcoholic egg nog. Given it was only two in the afternoon, I had been happy to have the virgin alternative. I also had to admit I had stationed myself so I could readily cruise past all the food options, of which there were many. I was starving and I had no idea why but everything I put in my mouth tasted fabulous, so I just kept grazing.

“These mini crème brulees are amazing, aren’t they?”

I turned and saw Kim, who Michael had introduced as his surgical assistant. I smiled at her. “It’s shocking how much I’ve eaten. I should be mortified but I can’t bring myself to care.”

“It’s still a week until Christmas,” she said. “By New Year’s I’m going to need new clothes.” She didn’t look like she cared one iota either though as she loaded a plate up with pastries.

“Do you have any fun New Year’s Eve plans?” I asked, to try to be conversational. Michael spoke about Kim in a way it was clear he valued her as a co-worker and as a person.

She nodded, giving me a smile. “This year my girlfriends and I are going to Miami Beach. I can’t wait to get out of here for a week.”

“That does sound fun. I’ve never been to Miami Beach. I have been to Ibiza though, which is a very sexy place.” I picked up another plate. Why the hell not?

“Do you and Dr. K have plans?”

Nothing I could say out loud. Given what Michael had said during our engagement photo shoot his plan was to keep me in bed all day giving me orgasms. I certainly wasn’t going to object to that.

Assuming that we both agreed to stay together and ride out the visa process.

God, I’d be gutted if he didn’t want to do that.

I shook my head. “We haven’t discussed it yet. We’ve been focused on our engagement party. In four days. Yikes.” The end of the year and the end of my visa were coming up fast. I tried to ignore the anxiety that thought brought up.

“Congratulations, by the way. I’ll be there at the party, but I’m sure you know that.”

“I appreciate you coming. I realize everyone is jam-packed with events this time of year.” I was wearing extremely tight black jeans and wishing I could undo the top button on them because they were digging into my flesh. It was either overindulging or a tightening from anxiety about the possibility of Michael changing his mind. I debated if my sweater would camouflage it if I did let it free. I popped a sweet potato puff wrapped in bacon into my mouth.

“Dr. K is a really nice guy, you know,” she said.

I paused mid-chew and nodded. “I realize that.”

“No. I mean he’s one of the best. I hope you appreciate that.”

Ah, so a little warning. I liked that Michael inspired loyalty in his friends.

I looked over at where Michael was lifting a little boy up into the air and whirling him around.

Everything inside of me swelled up at the sight of him. Kim was right. He was a really nice guy. One of the best.

“I do appreciate it,” I said, and I could hear the softness and affection in my own voice. “I appreciate him.”

Kim must have heard it too because she gave me a smile. “Glad to hear it. By the way, don’t get the wrong impression. I don’t have a crush on him or anything. We’re just friends.”

I laughed. “That never crossed my mind, but I’d forgive you if you did. I’ve been desperately trying to find flaws in him and failing miserably.”

“He’s stubborn, if that helps,” Kim said, with a grin.