The Secret Affair(62)

                “Then I guess the two of you will probably be tying the knot pretty soon.” It was obvious Wanda was digging for information. The others’ ears were perked up as if they, too, couldn’t wait to hear the response.

                Jillian tried not to show her surprise when Aidan reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. “Sooner rather than later, if I had my way. But I’ll be joining the Cardiology Department at Johns Hopkins in the fall, and Jillian’s just finished medical school, so we haven’t set dates yet.”

                “You’re both doctors?” Sandra asked, smiling.

                “Yes,” both Aidan and Jillian answered at the same time.

                “That’s great. So are we,” Sandra said, pointing to herself and the others. “Faye and Sherri and I just finished Meharry Medical School a couple of months ago, and Wanda, Joy and Virginia just completed pharmacy school at Florida A&M.”

                “Congratulations, everyone,” Jillian said, giving all six women a genuine smile. After having completed medical school she knew the hard work and dedication that was required for any medical field. And the six had definitely attended excellent schools.

                “And congratulations to you, too,” the women said simultaneously.

                Jillian’s smile widened. “Thanks.”

                * * *

                Aidan glanced down at the woman walking beside him as they left the jazz lounge where several musicians had performed. Jillian had been pretty quiet since dinner. He couldn’t help wondering what she was thinking.

                “Did you enjoy dinner?” he asked.

                She glanced up at him. “Yes, what about you?”

                He shrugged. “It was nice.”

                “Just nice? You were the only male seated at a table with several females, all gorgeous, so how was it just nice?”

                “Because it was,” he said, wondering if this conversation would start a discussion he’d rather not have with her. But then, maybe they should have it now. They had agreed to talk things out. “So what did you think of the ladies at our table tonight?”

                She stopped walking to lean against a rail and look at him. “Maybe I should be asking what you thought of them.”

                He joined her at the rail, standing a scant foot in front of her. “Pretty. All seven of them. But the prettiest of them all was the one wearing the red dress. The one named Jillian Novak. Now, she was a total knockout. She put the s in sexy.”

                Jillian smiled and shook her head, sending those dangling curls swinging. “Laying it on rather thick, aren’t you, Aidan?”

                “Not as long as you get the picture.”

                “And what picture is that?”

                “That you’re the only woman I want. The only one who can get blood rushing through my veins.”

                She chuckled. “Sounds serious, Dr. Westmoreland.”

                “It is.” He didn’t say anything for a minute as he stared at her. “Do you realize that this is the first time you’ve ever referred to me as Dr. Westmoreland?”

                She nodded. “Yes, I know. Just like I realized tonight at dinner that it was the first time you’d ever introduced me during the time we were together.”