He couldn’t help but smile. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a lot like Rae’jean? She volunteers at her hospital during the holidays, making sure all the kids in Pediatrics have a special Christmas.”
The smile that spread across Sebrina’s lips was joyful as well as seductive, and he felt his body warming to it…like it needed any further heat. Desire had definitely taken hold of his senses most of the evening. And before he went to bed that night, he would have to think seriously about if being ‘just friends’ with Sebrina was a good idea. Because his need for her hadn’t lessened any. If anything, the chemistry between them was stronger than ever.
“I’m told that all the time,” she said, grinning. “Although we look nothing alike, we think alike. Mom says it’s her fault. Rae’jean was away at college and my grandmother was supposed to call and let her know when Mom delivered, but she didn’t. I think Nana was still ashamed that Mom got pregnant her first year in college and had to come back home. But Rae’jean managed to get home the day after I was born. Mom said that the first time Rae’jean held me, she cried all over me and that’s why we think alike.”
“I could picture Rae’jean doing that, she’s a softy. It bothers her deeply whenever she loses a patient.”
Sebrina nodded. “Now when Monica was born, it was a different story. Rae’jean knew better than to count on my grandmother’s call. She arrived days before Mom went into labor, and she was there in the delivery room when Monica arrived.” She let out a small laugh. “I heard Rae’jean fainted.”
Parker laughed. “Seriously? She fainted?”
“Yes, and she was a medical student at the time.” Sebrina was laughing in earnest now.
Parker needed this. It felt good to laugh with her—almost as much as it would to hold her in his arms. But for now, it would have to do.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“I’M GOING TO HAVE a great time teasing Rae’jean about fainting when your sister was born,” Parker said, still chuckling.
Sebrina and Parker were walking out to his car after leaving Radeon’s Sweet Spot. Surprisingly, she had enjoyed herself tonight. Even with the sexual energy surrounding them, he had been great company. “She won’t fess up to it. She claims one of her contacts popped out of her eye and she was down on the floor looking for it. But my godmother, Sharon, who was there for the birth too, claims Rae’jean was flat on her back. My cousin Alexia was there, as well, and backs up Sharon’s story.”
Parker shook his head when he opened the door for Sebrina. “With eyewitnesses, Rae’jean is going to have a hard time talking her way out of it.”
“But she will try.”
“I bet she will,” he said, laughing again.
Sebrina liked the sound. Laughter was good for the soul. In their line of work, with so much sickness and death, it paid to be able to laugh sometimes. Parker closed the car door and as she snapped her seatbelt in place, she watched him walk around the front of the car to get in.
When he started the car, he glanced over at her. “I can clearly recall the first day I met Rae’jean. I was a junior in high school when Uncle Grady brought her to Maine to meet my parents. I’m sure you’ve heard how that went.”
“Yes, I overheard Rae’jean tell Mom about it at the family reunion,” Sebrina said.
“Whatever she told them is probably the truth. Mom was upset that Grady would even think of marrying someone outside of his race. Her attitude caused a rift between them. I think Uncle Grady was close to disowning his sister over it. It was only when she got cancer and went through all those treatments that she learned to bond with other women—women of all colors who, like her, were fighting for their lives. After that, she began seeing a lot of things differently, including people. I can truly say it changed her way of thinking.”
“I’m glad.”
“So am I.” He didn’t say anything for a moment. “I really outing tonight, Sebrina.”
“I had a good time, too, Parker.” She grinned over at him. “Especially since you didn’t make fun of me when I covered my eyes during the bloody scenes.”
“There weren’t any bloody scenes. I told you that our guy would save the day.”
“Yes, you did.” She nodded. “Do you go to work in the morning?”
“Yes. The only reason I was off today was because I covered for Dr. Jenkins last night. I don’t have another day off until the weekend.”
“I’m off next weekend as well.”
He paused a moment. “I have a date Friday night.”
His words, which she should have been glad to hear, felt like a punch to her chest. “That’s great. And I have one on Saturday night,” she said, trying to sound cheerful about it. “Are you going out with someone who works at the hospital?” She really had no business asking but she couldn’t help herself. She just really hoped he wasn’t going out with Rosemary Nestor.
“No, it’s someone I met today while out doing errands. She’s nice.” And then he asked her, “What about you? Are you going out with a new guy or someone you know already?”
“He’s someone I know. Bob and I dated a few times last year after meeting at a party. But our occupations got in the way. His job became too demanding and so did mine.”
“And now the two of you are dating again?” he asked.
“He called and asked me out, so I guess you can say we are.” Sebrina wondered why she was saying anything to Parker about it at all. They didn’t owe each other anything.
Still, she was glad when she realized they had pulled into their driveway. “We’re back.”
“Yes, we are. Stay put for a second while I get the door for you.”
“Thank you.”
Sebrina liked the fact Parker had manners. They were always on-point. Because the house had a four-car garage, he had parked inside the garage with no trouble. Monica had left her car parked here and had taken an Uber to the airport.
“Your sister has a nice car,” Parker said when he opened the car door for her.
Sebrina glanced over at Monica’s sporty red Lexus. “That was her gift to herself when she paid off her student loans.”
“Do you have big plans for your off day tomorrow?” he asked when he opened the door in the garage that led to the kitchen.
“Not really. I want to go by the gym and start working out again. I haven’t been there in a long time.”
“Which gym do you go to? I joined one today.”
“You did? I’m a member of Casey’s.”
“That’s the one I joined. It’s a nice place.”
“Yes, it is. You’re going to love it.” She wondered if he was aware that Rosemary Nestor was also a member of that gym. For all Sebrina knew, that might have been his main reason for joining, but she doubted it. He had seemed rather annoyed that morning when Rosemary had demanded his attention.
“Well, this is where we part ways, Parker. Again, I want to thank you for inviting me to go with you tonight.”
“We’ll have to have other outings,” he said. “This one was fun.”