Satisfaction Guaranteed(34)

I study the picture, nodding. “This looks highly treatable. We should have him feeling better in a few days.”

She shoots me a most professional smile, and I want to kiss it right off her. Because I know what it means. It’s a we have a secret smile. It’s the I’m working hard not to let on look.

And it gets me going.

Knowing what we have cooking tonight is a big turn-on.

Then again, everything about her is a recipe for instant arousal, including the vanilla scent of her hair. I get a heady whiff as I stand close, so damn close to her.

“See! I knew you two would get on like a couple of old pals.”

At the sound of Doug’s voice, I blink and tear myself away from Sloane, even though we weren’t touching. My skin prickles with an unpleasant sensation that feels distinctly like guilt and leaves an aftertaste like betrayal.

“Yes, we get along fine,” Sloane says, cool and professional.

“I had a feeling.” He sounds so damn proud. Doug motions for us to join him in his office. “Come. I have something for you two.”

With my stomach churning and my feet leaden, I follow him. Once inside his office, he gestures to a white box on the desk, a slim blue ribbon tied around it. “For you two. And you can share them with Jonathan and Sam too.”

I gesture to the box, barely able to meet Sloane’s eyes. If I do, all I will see is how much I want her, and I can’t deal with that right now. “You do the honors.”

She clears her throat, reaches for the box, and tugs at the string. “Thanks, Dad.” But her fingers are unsteady, and they slip.

I grab the box and untie it, flipping open the white cardboard flap. Inside are several dog bones with iced frosting on them.

“They’re cookies. Shaped like dog bones,” Doug blurts out, as if he’s been bursting to reveal his surprise. “Helena made them. Try one. It’s chocolate chip.”

I reach for a cookie and bite. It’s remarkably tasty. “It’s good, Doug.”

“Try one, Sloane.”

She takes a cookie and chews. “Yum.”

We glance at each other, and the secret between us is so thick you could turn it into a stew.

“It’s just a small little gift. To say thank you,” Doug adds.

My brow creases. “For what?”

Doug strides over, clapping one hand on my shoulder, one on his daughter’s. “For making change look easy. Admittedly, I was nervous. How this arrangement might go. But it’s been great.” He looks from his daughter to me, and my guilt doubles, then doubles again, multiplying into a towering pile of coins of guilt.

I’m sleeping with his daughter.

I’m screwing her behind his back.

And I’m going to do it tonight.

And I’m going to fucking love it.

“It’s been great. Working together has been great,” I say roughly.

Sloane steps forward and kisses his cheek. “It’s been fantastic,” she adds. “And tell Helena she’s one heck of a baker.”

“She’s a baker, she’s a painter, she’s a listener. I love her madly. Hey. I wanted to take her someplace for a vacation soon. Do you have any thoughts on where we should go?” His earnestness with her reminds me that she’s family. She knows his wife well enough to answer the question.

And I’m a third wheel.

I turn around. “Thanks for the dog bone cookies,” I say, and I don’t look back. I head straight to my office, shut the door, and slump into my chair. I drop my head to my desk, groaning in frustration.

My next appointment is in ten minutes, and I need to shake off this feeling. Sitting up, I shovel my hands through my hair like I can erase the whole encounter, everything from Doug’s congratulations on our bonding to his need to impress his wife.

I swivel around, grab a picture frame from next to my computer, and study the photo from years ago. Mom, Dad, Truly, and me at our high school graduation, a month before Dad died.

“What would you do?” I ask the man I respect, the man I admire.

But as soon as the question finds air and breath, I take it back, shaking my head, waving it away like smoke.

“Pretend I didn’t say that,” I mutter.

I don’t want his advice.

I don’t want anyone’s.

I want what I want.

I don my Super Vet jacket, head to the exam room, and do my job the rest of the day.

Tonight, I have another job, and it’s one I can’t wait to fulfill.

I want it so much I shove everything else aside.

Out of sight, out of mind.





27





I send her a text early in the evening.



Malone: Is Vietnamese still your favorite cuisine? Or would you prefer Thai or Italian?



Sloane: I love Italian. I’m a complete sucker for pasta. I’ll pretty much do anything for noodles.



Malone: Just as a reminder—you don’t need to do anything. I’ll be doing all the work. And the ordering. And the everything.



Sloane: I thought you were going to cook.



Malone: Considering I’m all about playing to one’s strengths, I’m going to show off some of my other skills.