Flirting with the Society Doctor Read Online Free Page A

and decided that, yes, like he was often told, he really was a selfish jerk. Here Faith was going to his cousin’s wedding, spending the weekend working and protecting him from his family’s matchmaking, and he hadn’t given one thought to the fact that she might want to have her hair done or buy a new outfit. He hadn’t given one thought that Faith was a woman with normal female urges, like desiring new outfits for social events.
    Then again, during the entire time he’d known Faith, she hadn’t acted like other women. Why should he have thought this weekend would be any different? If he’d thought about what she’d wear, he would havesaid scrubs or maybe a hyper-masculine gray suit and a hairstyle any librarian would be proud of.
    â€œWhat time is your appointment?”
    She didn’t glance up. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll cancel.”
    But beneath the clear lenses of her glasses, her eyes had grown shiny and his sense of guilt gnawed at his belly, threatening to give him an ulcer if he didn’t make amends. What was the aura about her that made him want to make her happy?
    â€œWhy did you leave your appointment until so late? Surely you could have shopped for a dress earlier in the week?”
    Her mouth dropped and if glares were bullets he’d be six feet under. “Did you really just ask me that when you’ve had me at the office every night this week until after ten?” Realizing what she’d said, her jaw dropped even lower. “Not that I mind,” she recanted. “I like my job. It’s just…well…” She fumbled, taking a deep breath. “I don’t have anything appropriate to wear to the wedding and I’ve been thinking about getting my hair cut anyway. I thought prior to the wedding would be as good a time as any.”
    His gaze immediately went to her hair. She always kept her hair pulled tightly into the professional bun. He couldn’t recall ever having seen her hair down. Odd, considering how long they’d known each other.
    What did she look like with her hair down?
    He was struck with the need to know, the need to see her dark blond locks loose. Would the strands barely brush her shoulders or would they cascade down her back?
    â€œGet your hair done.” He ran his gaze over thesleeked-back strands nestled at her nape. “But not short, okay?”
    He wasn’t sure why he added the last. The length of her hair was none of his business. If she wanted to go bald, other than their patients’ reactions, he had no right to say a word.
    â€œI probably wouldn’t have had time anyway, Vale. Thinking I did was wishful thinking.”
    He’d give her time. He owed her that much. She was saving him from his family’s matchmaking.
    â€œI’ll see your patients.”
    Her face flushing, she shook her head, eyeing him as if he must be running a fever. “That won’t be necessary.”
    But it was necessary.
    â€œLook, Faith, I’m a slave driver. There’s no question of that.” He raked his fingers through his hair, wondering why the spring air that had felt so good moment’s earlier now cut into him. “But you’re right. Your lunches are your own, even if I do monopolize them. Go. Get your hair done however you want. Buy yourself a new dress.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œActually,” he withdrew his wallet from his back pocket. “Take the rest of the afternoon off and buy yourself a dress for tonight, too. On me.”
    Her face pale, she stared at the cash in his hand. “I can’t take your money.”
    â€œSure you can,” he teased. “You do every pay period.”
    â€œThat’s different.” Her lips pursed. “I’ve earned my paycheck. This is different.”
    â€œLook, it’s my fault you need new clothes and to have your hair done. It’s only fair I pay.” He shoved the cashinto her