"We just finished up a game."
"Oh, that's right. You have midday games during the week sometimes. And how did that turn out?"
"We won."
"I'm glad to hear that."
He could tell she was trying to turn their conversation toward anything but going out, so he intended to steer it back. "So . . . about dinner?"
"Oh, right. Like I mentioned in my text message, I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not? You're good-looking, I'm good-looking, we're around the same age. I assume you like to eat."
She laughed. "I do like to eat."
"Great. Give me your address and around seven thirty we'll do that eating thing together."
He heard her sigh. "Okay. But at dinner I'll tell you why we shouldn't see each other."
"Sounds like a plan."
She said she'd text him her address when he offered to pick her up. After he hung up, he smiled.
He had a date with Aubry tonight.
AFTER TUCKER CALLED, AUBRY HAD SPENT THE REST of the afternoon taking care of business. She paid some bills, dashed to the grocery store and did some laundry. Keeping her eye on the time, she took a quick shower and stared at herself in the mirror, feeling ridiculous for agreeing to a date with Tucker.
As if her life wasn't complicated enough. She should have said no when he asked her.
So why hadn't she?
Because you want to go out with him, idiot. That's why.
Ignoring that annoying inner voice, she dried her hair, put on makeup and went to her closet, trying to figure out what to wear.
Dinner. Nights could still be cool, so she chose a pair of black skinny pants and a long top, then slid on her boots and selected a pair of silver dangly earrings.
Okay, maybe it felt good to dress up in something besides scrubs for a change, and eat something other than microwave meals or a salad. Or, God forbid, hospital cafeteria food. Tucker was damn fine to look at, so there was that as well. How bad could it be to share a meal with a hot guy she was attracted to? He was funny, smart, and if they didn't end up in the ER because he fell off the curb and broke an ankle or something, it might just be a decent night.
It was just a date, not a relationship. Simple, easy, and fun. Not life changing or anything. She could live with that.
When the doorbell rang, she felt ridiculous for the sudden uptick in her pulse rate.
Just a date, Aubry. Remember? Light and simple.
She opened the door and swallowed at the sight of him wearing dark jeans and a button-down shirt.
"Hi," she said.
His lips ticked up. "Hi yourself."
"Come on in. I'm just about ready."
He walked in and she closed the door behind him, trying not to stare at his ass. Or imagine her hands on said ass. While he was naked.
Get a grip, woman.
Instead, she focused on what he was wearing, assessing the overall look. There was something about men in button-down shirts and blue jeans that really got to her. Maybe because she'd been surrounded by men in either suits or scrubs her entire life.
Plus . . . Tucker. Thick black hair and those glasses, and the eyes behind them. Deep, green eyes he fixed on her when he turned around.
This was what happened when she didn't have sex for a really long time. Katie and Marie were right. Her libido was definitely coming out in full force right now.
She'd have to remind herself to keep her focus tonight.
It was a date. They were going out for dinner. Nothing more.
"Nice place."
She shrugged. "Just a condo. It's really nothing much. I didn't want to buy a house--not right now, anyway, since I don't spend a lot of time here."
"Because you're always at the hospital."
She nodded. "Yes. How about you?"
"The same. I'm on the road a lot, and I want to make sure a team is going to keep me before I decide to invest in a house. So I'm leasing a condo. I don't live too far from you, actually. Just a few miles down the road."
"The new complex? The one they finished up last year? The Shenandoah Heights neighborhood?"
"Yeah. That's the one."
"I love those condos. Big porches and a great park and pool. I have a friend who lives over there. The square footage is awesome."
"It's pretty nice."
"Did you get the two bedroom or three?"
"Three. I have a big family and some of them like to visit. Between Grant and me, we can put them up."
"I'm very jealous. The floor plan for the three bedroom is very generous for a condo."
He walked into her living room. "Your place has decent space. I like your kitchen. Do you cook?"
"I hardly remember what it's like to have the time to fix a decent meal. And to be honest, I don't really know how to cook many things. How about you? Do you cook?"
"On the grill outside. Steaks and burgers and things. I do make fantastic pancakes. Plus, I can microwave the hell out of anything."
She laughed. "So your awesome kitchen is going to waste."
"Pretty much. Like tonight."
He was giving her a look, when she realized they were just standing there in the living room.
She obviously didn't entertain enough, either. Her mother would be appalled. "Oh. I'm so sorry. I'll be just a minute. Please sit down."
She dashed off to the bedroom, finger combed her hair, applied lip gloss, then took one last look in the mirror.
Decent. Okay, she looked hot. Good enough to get laid, if that's what she had in mind.
Which she didn't. At all. Much.
Okay, maybe a little.
"This is ridiculous," she whispered to herself as she grabbed her purse, her sweater, and opened the bedroom door. She pasted on her best smile and decided whatever happened--happened. She was tired of the inner war she was having with herself.
Tucker stood as she came out.
"Did I mention you look gorgeous tonight? Though you look pretty damn hot in those scrubs you wear at the hospital, too."
He was not making her inner war any easier. "Thank you."
He held the door for her, then shut it behind her. He also opened her car door and waited while she slid in before closing the door and going around to his side.
Maybe that was normal. Maybe all guys did that. But she'd dated enough in college to know that wasn't true.
"So where are we going tonight?"
"I thought I'd keep it light and easy since you were a little wary about going out with me."
She looked down at her hands. "I didn't exactly say I was wary."
"Oh, I think you made it clear. But you can trust me, Aubry. I'm a pretty great guy."
She shifted her gaze to him. "And so modest, too."
His lips curved. "Yeah, that too."
He drove toward the west end of the city, and when he pulled up in front of a light brown brick building and parked, she turned to face him.
"Are we stopping at a friend's house?"
"Nope. This is part one of our date tonight."
She had no idea what that meant, but when he came around to her side of the car, she got out. It was then she noticed the sign planted on the front lawn.
Madame Sheila's Psychic Readings.
She tilted her head and gave him a look. "Seriously?"
"Yeah. I thought it might be fun."
"I'm going to tell you up front that I don't believe in this stuff."
He shrugged. "We'll give it a go. Madame Sheila might have insight into our futures."
"Uh-huh. Sure she will."
Though she had to admit, it sounded fun. Hokey as hell, but fun.
They stepped inside the house. It was an older home, with a parlor entry. Just inside, there was a desk, with a young, very attractive brunette sitting behind it.
"May I help you?"
How very official.
Tucker gave his and Aubry's first names. The woman clicked on her laptop. "Yes, Madame Sheila will see you both shortly. I have yo
u booked with a group appointment. Is that correct?"
Tucker turned to her. "I thought it would be more fun that way, but you can go in alone if you have some deep dark secrets you'd like to keep from me."
She laughed. "No, we can go together."
Considering the woman would likely tell her she was going to meet a tall, dark stranger, she figured her secrets--since she didn't have any--were safe.
They took a seat and waited about five minutes. It gave her time to appreciate what had to be original wood floors and the gorgeous crown molding. The solid wood archway leading into the alcove just behind Madame Sheila's assistant was something to covet. It would make a lovely sitting area--or even an office. It made Aubry want a house of her own.
Someday. Once her residency was finished and she was settled in, she'd be able to house shop, and then she'd have the place of her dreams.
"We're ready for you now," the brunette said, having appeared from down the hall. "Please come this way."
She spoke in hushed tones, like they had an audience with the Pope or something. Aubry rolled her eyes at Tucker.
"Hey, this is serious business," he said, his lips curving.
"I can hardly wait."
They were taken to a room just to the right off the hall. The room was brightly lit, surprisingly. Aubry expected complete darkness, candles, and maybe a crystal ball on the table. And of course Madame Sheila wearing robes and a turban.
Instead, there were two sofas and several comfortable chairs. And an older woman with short brown hair who smiled when they entered. She was wearing slacks and an orange blouse. No turban in sight.
"Good evening. My name is Sheila. You are Tucker and Aubry?"
Tucker walked in and shook her hand. "Yes. I'm Tucker."
"And I'm Aubry." She shook Sheila's hand.
"Please, sit down. Would you care for some coffee or tea? Or some water?"
"Nothing for me, thank you," Aubry said.
"I'm good," Tucker said.
Sheila nodded. "That'll be all for now, Brenda."
The brunette shut the door behind them.
"Well, then, I'll start my speech. I'm Sheila Aveila. I'm a psychic medium, which means I can see the past, plus the future. You booked your appointment through my assistant, Brenda, who is also my daughter. Other than that, I know nothing about the two of you. Can you confirm that?"
"Yeah. I gave her my first name and Aubry's first name and my cell phone number. Nothing else," Tucker said.
"Good. Then we'll get started." Sheila closed her eyes for a few seconds and took several deep breaths. Then she opened her eyes and stared at Aubry.
"You lost someone you loved not too long ago. Someone you cared very deeply about."
Aubry was about to say something, but Sheila held up her hand to stop her.
"Your grandmother?"
Aubry didn't know how Sheila would be aware of that. "I . . . yes."
"You have her bracelet. A charm bracelet. You keep it in your jewelry box, and when you're stressed or upset, you take it out and put it on. It gives you comfort."
No one would know that. Even Aubry's mother didn't know about her ritual. "Yes."
"That makes your grandmother happy. She's with you when you do that, and she wants you to know that someday soon, your life will get easier. But in the meantime, take comfort, because she's always with you."
Aubry didn't want to believe in this. She didn't believe in these kinds of things. Still . . .
"Thank you."
Sheila looked over at Tucker. "You . . . chaos."
Tucker laughed. "Yeah, you could say that."
"You have many relatives from your past. They look out for you. But they say you're a difficult one to manage."
"I don't doubt it."
"You have to live down a legacy, but you chose to lead your own path. It troubles you at times."
She looked over at Tucker, who was frowning. He didn't say anything to Sheila.
"Your grandfather wants me to tell you that he's so proud of your choice of career, that he appreciates you keeping the old baseball glove in . . ." Sheila frowned. "You keep it somewhere safe." She drummed her fingers on the table. "A trunk . . . a trunk in your room?"
Tucker's lips ticked up. "He knows that, does he?"
Sheila nodded. "He also wants me to tell you, like the father, goes the son. The path may be a different one, but the end result is the same. You're walking the correct road."
Tucker nodded. "Okay, I get that."
Sheila looked from Tucker to Aubry, her gaze settling between them.
"Three times the two of you have circled, and now you come together. The fates bring you in line with one another."
Okay, that was downright weird. A little vague, but still, pretty on the mark. First, the wine cellar, then twice in the ER.
A lucky guess?
Pretty damn lucky if it was.
"Love is a very powerful force. It entwines with fate and defines our destiny. Don't run from what's meant to be."
Love? Who was talking about love? Aubry swallowed. "Um, this is just our first date."
Sheila smiled. "The first of many, I hope. The aura surrounding the two of you is very strong, your colors bright. You will forge. Your families are united on the other side, with positive hopes for both of you."
Whoa. That was some deep stuff for a first date. And a lot of made up mumbo jumbo that she wasn't about to buy into.
Aubry laid her now-sweaty palms on her pants. "Well, that was so interesting."
"Thanks," Tucker said, putting his arm around Aubry. "I have pretty high hopes for our first date. I think we'll start there, and see how it goes."
Sheila smiled. "I hope you gleaned something from this reading that you found useful."
Aubry stood. "It was definitely enlightening. Thank you so much." She shook Sheila's hand, and as Tucker paid, asked her about her house. Sheila told her it had been her grandmother's house. She'd had it remodeled several years ago.
Aubry's parents were into the now and the new. She loved this old house, and would love to be able to renovate an older home someday.
After thanking Sheila again, they headed out to the car.
Once they had taken off, Tucker glanced at her. "So . . . what did you think?"
"It was weird."
"Weird bad or weird good?"
"A little of both, I think. She knew some stuff that no one else would know."
"Yeah, I got that. With the grandparents. I kept my grandpa's old baseball glove. She even knew where I keep it."
"Yes. Same thing with my grandmother's charm bracelet. How would she know that?"
He shrugged. "No idea. Unless she's the real deal and was talking to our dead relatives. Pretty cool, huh?"
She looked out the window. "I'm not sure if I'd define that as cool or not. It's a little . . . unsettling."
"Really? I found it fascinating. And then the part about you and me and the three times? No one would know that but us."
She dragged her gaze from the window and settled it on him. "You didn't tell them anything."
"No. Just gave our first names and my phone number. Besides, who else would know about us?"
She'd told Katie, but Katie had no idea Tucker was bringing her here tonight.
Fate and destiny, though? She made her own destiny, and the only part of that she was concerned with was her medical career.
The rest of it she decided she didn't want to think about. So she was going to think of this as a fun interlude and nothing more.
"I had a great time at Madame Sheila's. Thank you for taking me."
"You're welcome. You'll like what's next, too."
"There's more?"
"Of course there's more."
He pulled into the parking lot of . . .
Oh, dear God.
"Bowling? We're going bowling?"
He grinned and parked, then turned off the car and faced her. "I didn't want to do a boring first date wher
e all we do is go out to dinner at some restaurant and make small talk. You deserve a fun first date."
"I do?"
"Yeah. Because I'll bet you work all the time and when you're not working you're probably sleeping. Or doing laundry or paying bills and shit like that."
He didn't have to know that's exactly what she'd been doing earlier. "I can have fun."
"I'm sure you can. That's why we're going bowling."
He got out and came around to fetch her. She had to admit, this was the most intriguing first date she'd ever been on.
"I don't remember the last time I went bowling. Maybe my freshman year of undergrad? And I have to tell you, even then I wasn't good at it."
"You don't have to be good at it to have fun."
"I seem to recall the last time I went bowling with a group, my date at the time made fun of my lousy score."
He stopped and laced his fingers with hers. "Then you're dating the wrong guys."
She laughed. "Apparently."
She wasn't about to tell him she hadn't been dating any guys lately. Let him think what he wanted.
They got inside, and for a weeknight, the place was booming. League play, probably. She wasn't sure she was going to be okay with that, since she was rusty as hell and would probably throw quite a few gutter balls. She didn't want everyone in there to notice.
"I hope you're hungry. They serve the best greasy hamburgers in the restaurant here."
She lifted her gaze to his. "Is that right?"
"I know you being a doctor and all, you're probably against the whole greasy hamburger thing."
"I'm a doctor, not a nutritionist. I have nothing against a nice, greasy burger."
He put his arm around her. "See how we're connecting? It's like we're meant to be."
Which got her to thinking about what Sheila said.
She immediately dismissed it. She would not go there with that whole fate and destiny stuff. She was hungry, and a burger sounded like a great idea.
Burgers and bowling--her primary objectives, and all her mind could handle at the moment.
See? Fun. Fun she could deal with. Deep stuff? No, thanks.
She smiled up at Tucker. "Let's bowl."
TUCKER COULDN'T HELP HIMSELF. AS AUBRY STOOD with the bowling ball in her hand, preparing to toss it down the alley, he wasn't paying attention to her form or the way she swung the ball or how many pins she knocked down. He was watching her ass.
She had a great ass. Round and curvy in all the right ways, the kind a man wanted to put his hands on.
She knocked down six pins, swung around with a smug grin on her face. One would think she'd just hit a strike.
"Did you see that?" she asked as she took her seat and grabbed her beer.