“The two of you went out on a date?”
“It wasn’t a date, Monica. It was an outing.”
“An outing?”
“Yes. We’ve decided friends go on outings and not dates.” There was no way she was going to let her sister know that she had the hots for Parker and that he seemed just as attracted to her, but they were trying to deal with it, refusing to let it go any further.
“So, how was it, going to the movies with the hunk?”
Sebrina shook her head. “It was nice, and the movie was great. I can’t wait for the sequel.”
“We will be docked at Arlie Beach for a little while. I’m going to suggest to Landon that we find a movie theater here and see if it’s playing. Earlier today Landon and I went snorkeling and he was surprised I knew how. And tomorrow we’re checking out another part of the beach.”
Sebrina continued dressing for work, glad Monica was talking about Landon Chestnut again. She could hear the excitement in her sister’s voice. She also heard something else.
“Should I be concerned about you and this guy, Monica? You sound quite taken with him. Have you fallen for him?”
“Of course not! Landon and I are just having a good time. He’s a nice guy but at the end of the cruise, he will go his way and I’ll go mine. You know I don’t want a man in my life, at least not for a while yet.”
“But what if the right one comes along?”
“He won’t be the right man if he comes before I’m ready for him. A husband and babies are not on my agenda.”
“You sound so sure of that.”
“I am. There is no man alive who could make me mess up my plans of going back to school. I want it too badly.”
Sebrina glanced at the clock on the wall. “Well, time for me to leave. Parker cooked dinner today. I’m not sure what it was but it smelled so good. The aroma woke me up and luckily, he always makes enough that I can take some to work with me. If I gain weight, it’ll be his fault.”
“A guy who is as handsome as Chris Hemsworth, and who can cook as well? You better hold on to him.”
“Trust me, he’s popular around the hospital. Some of the nurses even keep his picture on their phones.”
“Is he walking around with the big head?”
“No. I doubt there is a conceited bone in his body. He’s so down to earth and is really a great guy. You’re going to like him.”
“Hmm…sounds like you already do. Should I be concerned about you and Mr. Hottie, Bree? You sound quite taken with him. Are you falling for him?”
Sebrina frowned, not liking that Monica was asking her pretty much the same questions she’d just asked her. “No. I am not falling for anybody. Look, Monica, I got to go. I hope your days at the beach are fantastic. Chat with you later. Bye.”
“Wait, Bree!”
“Yes?”
“I wanted to let you know…you, Victoria and Kennedy were right. Landon has proven the problem in bed was never me, like you three said. It was with the two guys I wasted my time with. Talk to you later. Ciao.”
Sebrina frowned when she heard a resounding click in her ear. Had Monica just admitted that she’d found out how good sex was with the right person? That meant…
Sebrina was happy that at least this Landon Chestnut had finally proven to Monica that sex could be mind-blowing, but still... Sebrina was tempted to call her back and give her a few warnings about flings. Monica was the youngest and least experienced of their group. And Bree, as Monica’s oldest sister, had always had a protective streak where Monica was concerned. She just couldn’t stop worrying about her—some habits were hard to break. But this one, she would. She’d just have to believe that at twenty-six, Monica could handle her own business.
Sebrina grabbed her purse and jacket off the bed and left her bedroom to go downstairs. As soon as she entered the kitchen, she was surprised to find Parker sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. He was usually in bed whenever she left for work.
He looked over at her, and the moment their gazes met, it was quite obvious the sexual energy between them hadn’t diminished. “Hi, Parker.”
“Hi, Sebrina.”
“I’m surprised you’re not in bed yet,” she said, heading toward the refrigerator, determined to ignore the quiver that had passed through her when their eyes had connected.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
His words filled her with a sexual rush, and she turned around, and lifted a brow. “Why?”
“Something came up today at work that I need to make you aware of.”
“Oh?”
Sebrina listened as Parker told her about his conversation with Dr. Rosemary Nestor. She could tell from the sound of his voice that he was still pretty upset about it. “I’m not surprised,” Sebrina said. “I don’t know her that well…but I do know she’s not well-liked.”
Parker nodded. “I gathered as much.”
“I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but I’ve seen her in action. It wasn’t pretty. She tried getting one of the Hispanic nurses on her shift in trouble a few times. The woman, who was professional, efficient and well-liked, eventually transferred to another shift. I don’t know the full story, but I heard her name mentioned a lot.”
He nodded. “I just think she’s going to be trouble, and I didn’t want you blindsided.”
“And I appreciate you for telling me. And you were right. Where, and with whom, you live is nobody’s business but yours.”
“I’m glad we think the same way.”
Sebrina was quiet for a moment, then admitted, “You know that the word around the hospital is that you and Rosemary are dating. I know you’ve denied it. But that would mean she started that rumor herself. She’s definitely got you in her sights.”
“Then she needs to get me out of them. I don’t associate with close-minded people.”
Sebrina smiled. That was one way to describe Rosemary. But she’d heard better. “What did you cook today? Whatever it was smelled good.”
“Jambalaya. There’s plenty, so help yourself.”
“Thanks,” she said, opening the refrigerator and pulling out the container.
“You don’t have to thank me, Sebrina. I love cooking for you.”
Their eyes met and she drew in a deep breath when every cell in her body seemed to vibrate. Breaking eye contact with him, she glanced at her watch. “I’d better go. One good thing about working the night shift is I don’t have to deal with rush hour traffic. Thanks again for dinner.”
She almost made it out the door, when he said, “Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to remind you about my date tomorrow night.”
Turning around she plastered a smile on her face. “And I have one tomorrow night as well.”
Parker lifted a brow. “I thought your date was Saturday night.”
He’d remembered that, had he? “It was but something came up and Bob needs to leave town Saturday, so we changed it.”
“I see.”
“Enjoy yourself tomorrow night,” she told him.
“Thanks, and you do the same.”
And then she continued out the door.