Read Online Mine at Last by Celeste O. Norfleet - Free Book Online Page B

happened was just a physical impulse—the heat of the discussion—and that we should be able to distance ourselves and move on and continue doing our jobs.”
    “He’s right, and you can do that. You do it every time you walk into a hospital or medical office. You leave your emotions outside. It’s your job to be objective and remove the emotional element from the situation, and you’re very good at it, right?”
    Shauna nodded. “Yes.”
    “Okay, then it’s all good, business as usual. You’ll just pretend like it never happened, right?”
    Shauna took a deep breath. “Right,” she said, agreeing with relief.
    “Except one last thing—how was he?” Pearl smiled eagerly.
    “You did not just ask me that question,” Shauna said.
    “Come on, spill. I know exactly who you’re talking about. We’ve met on a few occasions. He’s a very intense man with a quiet and powerful presence. When he and his brother walk into a room, the women can’t help but stare. He’s a puzzle, though. I’ve never been able to see through his armor. It’s interesting to know that you’ve at least glimpsed a crack in it.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean Dr. Coles is built and he’s gorgeous and as sexy as hell. And it’s a good thing I’m not a cougar or I’d go after him myself. And let’s face it, Shauna, you haven’t had a hookup in about three years. You’re due for a little L and L.”
    “What are ‘L and L’?”
    “Lust and love,” she said. “So, let’s hear details.”
    “Seriously, I cannot believe you’re asking me this. It was just a kiss. It was quick and over with,” she said. She looked at Pearl, who was steadily shaking her head, not believing a word. “Okay, okay, it was without words. I swear my heart stopped beating the whole time. My toes curled and I wanted it to go on forever.”
    Pearl nodded. “That’s more like it.”
    “And that said, I’m gonna end this conversation and grab some more dessert before I head back to the hotel.” Shauna stood to go back inside.
    “You know, I was just thinking,” Pearl began as she followed behind Shauna, “while you’re down here, and seeing as how you know the good doctor and haven’t had your toes curled since the turn of the last century, why don’t you and he...”
    “Do not finish that sentence,” Shauna warned jokingly.
    Pearl laughed. “It was only a thought, a hopeful suggestion. Are you going back to the E.R. tonight?”
    “I don’t know. Probably. I don’t want to go back, but I know I have to. I don’t have a choice.”
    “You’re right. You do have to go back. It’s your job and you can do this,” Pearl said. “Get yourself right back up on the horse. That’s what I like to hear. And speaking of going back, I presume you received your Key West High School alumni emailed newsletter?”
    Shauna shrugged and nodded. “I unsubscribed years ago, but it still comes and goes directly to my spam filter.”
    Pearl shook her head. “Well, you need to get it out of the spam filter and read it. Your class is having a high school reunion in two weeks. I hear it’s gonna be nice.”
    “Yeah, I heard.”
    “As long as you’re gonna still be here, why don’t you think of attending this year? You didn’t go to your prom. You haven’t been back in fifteen years. It might be a nice evening out. So, what do you have planned for tomorrow?” Pearl asked Shauna, completely changing the subject.
    “Nothing much. I’ll get some work done, of course.”
    “Nonsense, you can work Monday. See, that was my big mistake—I worked all the time. My life just passed me by and all I did was work. Then what are you left with? Nothing. Tomorrow you can come volunteering with me. And don’t give me that ‘I don’t have time.’ You make time.”
    Shauna smiled. “Volunteering. What kind of volunteering? Do you mean feeding the hungry?”
    “There are all kinds of volunteering with so many in need and never enough people to help out.