Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“I absolutely did. Or wait,” he frowned and placed his hand over the containers. “Don’t you like corned beef and cabbage? You’re not dying for one of these dingle pies, whatever the hell that is?”
I smiled, loving the way he teased me. “I happen to love Irish food, thank you very much.”
“Then let’s eat, Doc. You can tell me all about your day.”
It was so oddly normal, us eating together while I regaled him with tales of drunken injuries, batteries in unfortunate places, and tricks gone wrong. “It’s been a busy day. You arrived at just the right time.”
“I always do,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Stop being dirty and tell me about the cook-off.” I hadn’t been since before I left for college, and though I said otherwise to my colleagues, I missed it.
“Edith’s corned beef,” he began, pointing at the largest container on the table, “took first place, and she insisted I bring you a big slab of it to help ‘maintain your curves.’” He stabbed a big piece with a fork and grinned as he continued. “Nix’s colcannon took best side dish while the dingles came from some guy called Levi.”
My eyes widened as I took a bite of the dingle pie and moaned. “Levi made this? The bartender?” He was new to town, or at least new to me, which meant he’d moved back in the decade since I’d been away. I didn’t know him well, but he made drinks at the only pub in town, so I knew him. “Unexpected and delicious.”
“Right? You should have seen the way the women swooned all over him. I was lucky to get us any.” He flashed a satisfied smile and continued to stuff his face.
“So, how is songwriting going?”
Surprise flashed in his eyes, the way they did whenever I asked about his work. “Really great. I’ve been struck with inspiration and I’m writing a lot, probably more than we need for the next album.”
“Unless you do one of those double-disc deals.” I cringed at my words. “Sorry. I don’t know where that came from. Ignore me.” I shoved another dingle pie in my mouth to hide my groan.
“I don’t think so. It’s a good idea, but it’ll depend on whether or not that many of them are actually good songs.” He was so down-to-earth about his music.
“I think the past would indicate that most of them will be really good, Mac. Don’t doubt yourself so much.”
“Me? An arrogant prick, doubting himself?”
“I see you, Mac. You’re cocky as hell, but when it comes to your songs, which really matter to you, there’s a heightened level of doubt or insecurity. It’s not necessary, I promise. You’re a damn good songwriter.”
He studied me for a long time. “Thank you, Kayla. That means a lot.”
“It’s the truth.”
He laughed. “You know all the right words to get in my pants, Doc.”
Once again, I found myself laughing out loud with my sexy rock star neighbor.
13 MAC
“I never pegged you as a dancer.” Kayla’s lush mouth was next to my ear, her warm breath on my skin as I twirled her around the dance floor.
“Well, I’ll take any excuse to hold you in my arms all night long,” I shot back with a seductive smile. “And I figured this was better than dinner with everyone gawking at us.”
Her laughter was sweet and sultry. “You think they’re not gawking now?”
I shrugged. “We’re too wrapped up in each other to notice, which means we still get to have a great time.”
“Smart and pretty. A winning combination.”
“You say the sweetest things to me, Kay.” It was a heady thing, the way Kayla saw me. “Everyone sees the looks and the onstage persona, but I don’t think anyone has ever seen me the way you do.”
She looked at me with more than just heat in her eyes—a mix of affection and attraction. “I see what you let me see, Mac. And that man is pretty awesome.”
I knew without a doubt I was falling for the beautiful doctor. I had a feeling when she opened the door and I saw her in that tiny black dress that showed off her mouthwatering curves and deep red fuck me heels that matched her lips. But now I knew it for sure. “I’m glad you think so, because I think you’re pretty amazing, Doc.”
“Amazing, huh? I like that.” She shook her head and let out an embarrassed laugh. “Nobody’s ever called me amazing before. At least not unless I’ve just saved their life.”
“You’ve certainly made my life more interesting.”
She laughed. “Mac, you travel the world and perform in front of tens of thousands of people. That’s definitely more exciting than me.”
A new, faster song began, and I twirled her away from me, loving the way her eyes lit up with surprise. “You’re selling yourself short, Kayla. You challenge me, which I love. But with you, I just have so much fun. Even with our clothes on, we have a good time together.” She ran her fingers through my hair gently, almost unconsciously, and I groaned. “What have you done to me, woman?”