The Doctor's Secret Bride(81)
“He’s visiting with Mrs. Hayes in the kitchen.” He brought over Michelle’s Perrier and Yasmine’s glass of white wine then sat in a chair facing them.
“So, Dr. Erik,” Yasmine drawled in a silky tone, battering her eyelashes at him. “Are you receiving any new patients? I haven’t had a thorough checkup for a while.”
“It’s recommended you have one every year.” Erik was mildly amused with her audaciousness. No wonder she and Michelle were best friends.
His gaze wandered to Michelle. He wanted so badly to erase the memories of her abusive childhood, give her some new ones to muse on, like those they made in Boston a week ago. Because of Danielle’s death, he hadn’t had time to properly reminisce on that night. But now that life had somewhat resumed its normal pace, he’d begun craving the taste and smell of Michelle in his mouth again, the feel of her tight body gripping him like a glove.
He would have to wait another week since he was leaving for Washington, D.C. tomorrow for a medical conference. He’d thought of taking Precious and Michelle along with him, but there were more pressing matters to attend to.
He’d learned that Clayton had recently returned from a medical mission to Uganda, and would be attending the conference. This was his chance to learn the truth about the scene he’d walked in on between Clayton and his wife, over two years ago. The scene that had started the argument that ultimately led to Cassie’s death. He was not leaving D.C. without answers.
“Yasmine,” Michelle scoffed, “when we were kids you always said you would never go to a male doctor.”
“The doctors we knew back then were old and bald. I’ll make an appointment anytime to see a hunk like Dr. Erik.” She placed a stuffed clam in her mouth and slowly chewed on it.
“Yasmine Reynolds, you’re still the impertinent fresh-mouthed girl I remember.” Robert strode into the room.
“And you still have the most kissable lips I’ve ever seen on a man—stiff, but kissable.” Yasmine set down her plate and hurried over to give Robert a big hug.
Michelle smiled at the pair who as far back as she could remember fought like cats and dogs. But when the mist cleared, they were one happy little family.
Yasmine reclaimed her seat while Robert sat in an identical chair close to Erik. He picked up the martini he’d left on the table.
“You look yummy, Robert. Perhaps I should make an appointment to have my teeth cleaned,” Yasmine said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“I’m sure you have very strong teeth, Yasmine Reynolds.”
“I don’t know, maybe if I bit you on those kiss—”
“You two need to stop,” Michelle said, feeling herself flush at the heat her brother and her best friend were generating. Was something going on between them? She looked at Erik who was watching them with a purely enjoyable expression on his face. She was certain he was thinking of their time together in Boston and the sexual banter they’d exchanged while making love. He’d made it fun. She wanted to smack the stupid grin off his face.#p#分页标题#e#
“Just like old times?” Mrs. Hayes bustled into the room, grinning from ear to ear. “Never in a million years would I have thought I would be serving dinner to Robert and Michelle in the doctor’s dining room.”
“Mrs. Hayes, do you remember Yasmine Reynolds?” Michelle asked.
“Of course. Luke and Marie’s little girl, right?”
“Right.” Yasmine said. “I remember the delicious bread pudding you used to make and invite the neighborhood kids to sit on your porch and wash down with cool lemonade.”
“Those were the good old days.” The older woman’s eyes lit up with joyful memories. “You’ve all grown up into such beautiful young people—Robert a dentist, Michelle advocating for the poor and needy, and Yasmine, Michelle tells me you’re studying law. The good Lord didn’t see fit to bless my womb, but I couldn’t be prouder if you were my own children.”
“Oh that’s very sweet.” Michelle dabbed at her tears as she rose and walked over to her dear old friend.
“We think the world of you, too. You kept Michelle and me alive, gave us hope,” Robert said as he and Yasmine joined Michelle in giving the kind old soul a group-hug.
A smiling Mrs. Hayes finally turned to Erik. “Dinner is about ready, Dr. Do you want me to call the children down?”
“Please.” Erik waited until the housekeeper had vacated the room and everyone had returned to their seats. “So, Yasmine, you grew up on the same street as Michelle and Robert? You must have been friends since...”