At seventeen, Wade had been her first. She’d given him her virginity because she had loved him and had been certain he’d loved her too. He was a year older than her and they had talked about the possibility of them both attending the same college and medical school, since they had shared the dream of becoming a doctor. Then, the summer before she started her senior year of high school, Wade had gone away to college, leaving her a “Dear John” letter and breaking her heart.
“I often wondered. I know you’ve dated, and as far as I can tell, nothing has ever become serious.”
“I have my reasons. I refuse to tolerate the games some men play,” Sebrina said.
“And you think Parker Stanhope is the type of guy who’s into games?”
“I don’t really know. But right now, he’s in high demand, and I’d rather not become involved with someone who needs to be the center of attention. He already has enough women falling all over him. He doesn’t need me to add to it.”
“And how do you know he’s like that?” When Sebrina didn’t answer, Kennedy added, “You know what I think, Bree?”
Sebrina looked over at her. “I don’t think I want to know.”
“I think you’re deliberately trying to find fault with Parker Stanhope because you don’t want to like him, but you’re afraid that you might. In fact, I think you already do.”
Sebrina shrugged. “I like Parker alright. I just don’t intend to be taken with his looks and body like all those other women at the hospital. So far, we get along fine. He even helped me decorate the Christmas tree.”
“And I think the two of you did a great job. It looks really good.”
“Thanks. But as far as anything developing between me and Parker, it would be unethical.”
“Why?”
“We live together.”
“So. If you recall, Haddison and I worked together. There’s nothing unethical about it. So don’t use that as an excuse. It won’t work with me. There’s nothing wrong with you liking him, and there would be nothing wrong if the two of you decided to take things to another level. In fact, with Monica gone, now would probably be the best time to go for it, if you’re going to.”
Sebrina frowned over at Kennedy. “Again, stop trying to put ideas in my head.”
“I think somebody should. I don’t want you to let life pass you by because of Wade. The man is happily married with three kids and you’re still all alone. Don’t you think it’s time you finally moved on?”
They talked for a few hours more, before Kennedy had to leave. Sebrina decided to lay down for a few hours, hoping she’d be able to catch a few zzz’s before reporting to work at eleven tonight. But sleep didn’t come easily. Kennedy’s words kept running through her mind.
Her cousin knew better than most just how much Wade had hurt her. Kennedy had been with Sebrina when his letter had arrived. And it had been Kennedy who’d held her while she’d cried. And oh, how she’d cried....
So, Sebrina could understand why Kennedy would think she was still carrying a torch for Wade. But Kennedy didn’t realize that Wade Simon had taught her a valuable lesson—to never give her heart up easily, ever again. Yes, it had been close to eleven years since she’d received that letter, but pain was pain and the heartache she’d felt was the kind of hurt she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy.
She was certain that one day, she would eventually meet someone and fall in love, but she was in no rush. These days, she dated whenever she wanted and wasn’t looking for anything more. Right now, she just wanted to concentrate on being the best heart specialist that she could be.
But still...that hadn’t stopped her from thinking about Parker, especially after catching a glimpse of him on her way home. He was coming in the hospital just as she was leaving. He hadn’t seen her, thank goodness, so she’d had a chance to look him over. No man should look that good in scrubs and a lab coat. His sandy brown hair had fallen loose around his shoulders, making him look rakish and she saw him offer that heart-stopping smile to a few people he met on his way in.
Yes, like she’d told Kennedy, Parker Stanhope was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. What she hadn’t told her cousin was that the man could make her toes curl with just a glance in her direction. And the attraction seemed to be mutual. Sebrina could recognize sexual chemistry between a man and a woman. It had been there the moment she’d opened the door to him that first day. Sharing lunch with him hadn’t helped matters, nor had accepting his help with the Christmas tree. That had put them in a little too close contact with each other, before either of them knew how to deal with that intense initial attraction.
She was mature enough to know that sexual chemistry was normal. Wanting to find a mate was a big part of being human. But for her and her future plans, she had to keep the attraction under control.
Luckily, she’d been able to avoid him…and avoid making a fool of herself. Since he left for work before she got home in the morning, and he usually came home while she was sleeping, their paths rarely crossed and she liked it that way.
But that wouldn’t help her this weekend. Starting tomorrow, she had a four-day weekend, and she needed to do some of the things she’d put off doing around the house. And that meant she would probably run into Parker.
It shouldn’t be a big deal. He lived here, just as she did. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel uncomfortable. Besides, she figured it wouldn’t be long before he succumbed to the attentions of someone in the female hospital staff. And once he started dating, she’d see even less of him. That is, if he wasn’t dating someone already.
She shifted in bed, trying to find a more comfortable position. For some reason, she didn’t want to think about Parker dating. But then he knew the house rules—Kennedy had made sure he’d signed the paperwork before he moved in. And those rules stated that special friends of the opposite sex could not spend the night, nor could they hang out in the house for prolonged periods of time.
Those rules had worked well when she and Monica had shared the house with Kennedy and Victoria, and they should be okay for Parker, too. Rae’jean had given them her word that Parker was a dedicated doctor, and more importantly, a decent human being. After spending time with him that first day, she had to agree.
Now if she could only keep her rampant sexual thoughts of him under control, everything would be good. But then, she appreciated a gorgeous man just as much as the next person.
Over time, things inevitably wore off—even physical attractions. There was no reason for her to think it wouldn’t be that way with Parker.
But how much time would it take?
“Wait up, Dr. Stanhope.”
Parker turned around and saw the woman hurrying toward him, her blond hair bouncing with every step she took. “Yes, Dr. Nestor?”
“I was wondering how things are going for you?”
He was tempted to tell her that he would be doing a lot better if she’d stop cornering him every chance she got. If she thought that being seen in his company would send some kind of message—either to management, or the other staff—she was dreaming.
“Things are great. Finding my way around. Meeting patients, reviewing charts, getting to know everyone.”