“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 you 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.