Marrying Mallory (13 page)

She smiled at him. “That’s a relief. No, seriously, I have
wondered at times if I made mistake years ago, but I fell in love with Toby
before I met you. Since we’re being honest here, I might as well tell you the
reason for this dinner. Elizabeth planned this evening in hopes we might start
dating. But now that we have that settled, I know someone who might like to get
to know you better.”

He grinned at her. “Yeah, you haven’t been too obvious in
talking about Heather.”

“I hope you’re interested in her.”

“I’m glad she’s talked to me this evening. In the past,
she’s never said very much to me. I’m going to ask her out for a date, so your
matchmaking attempts have worked.”

She suddenly realized why he’d asked Heather for her number.
“Oh, I get it. You asked Heather for my number because you wanted to ask me
about teaching vacation Bible school. She thought you were still interested in
me.” She took a hand off the games in her arms and gave him a shove. “Let’s get
back outside before they start pairing us off again. I’m glad you want to date
Heather. I know she likes you.”

***

Mallory put the last plate away in the cupboard before
turning around to look at Seth. “We’re all done cleaning up. Thank you for
staying to help. You shouldn’t have had to though. You were a guest, plus it’s
your birthday.”

Seth’s eyes met hers. “No problem. I enjoyed tonight even
though the guys lost. I like your friends. Even Derek.”

She folded a kitchen towel. “Well, I don’t think of Derek as
being my friend. I’m nice to him because he’s engaged to Elizabeth. Sometimes I
think there’s something shady about him.”

“I think Derek’s okay but he does open his mouth a lot.”
Man,
I wish I’d been the one to say that Mallory was a wonderful woman. And how Toby
hadn’t loved her the
way she should’ve been loved
. “That was pretty
swell what he said about you.”

“He surprised me when he was so nice.” She put her hand on
the refrigerator handle. “How about another piece of cheesecake? I bet you have
room for it.”

“I’d love another piece. Thanks.”

“Are you a milk person? I think a glass of cold milk will
hit the spot. It’s a little late for coffee and I don’t have any decaf.”

He nodded. “I like milk.”

“Good.” She opened the refrigerator and took a gallon off
the shelf.

Seth took glasses out of the cupboard. He liked being in
Mallory’s kitchen. It was bright and cheery like her. “You have a great house.”

She laughed as she put the cake on small plates. “I wish
Elizabeth could hear you. She feels sorry for me because Toby has a huge new
house while I stayed in our smaller one, but I’ve always loved this place.”

They went into the living room with their milk and
cheesecake. He sat right next to her on the small couch. No way was he going to
sit across the room in a chair.

After they ate a few bites in silence, Mallory said, “Sorry
you missed celebrating with your family and friends. The funny thing is
Jeremy’s not even interested in me anymore. I’m happy to say he’s going to ask
Heather out… soon, I hope. She likes him.”

I’m glad Mallory hadn’t realized that Jeremy was over her
before the dinner
. “I hope you aren’t sorry you invited me now,” he teased.
“I went out to eat with my parents and sister for lunch. My closest friends are
out of town, so you did me a big favor by having me here on my birthday.”

She cleared her throat. “Are you sure it’s safe for me to
have my nose surgery?”

He hated the uncertainty in her eyes when he knew how much
she wanted him to operate. He needed to reassure her, yet he had to be honest.
“I feel very confident that everything will go well and nothing’s going to
happen to you like that young girl. I’ve never lost a patient, but to be
honest, there’s always a small risk involved whenever surgery’s performed.”

“How many rhinoplasty procedures have you done?”

“I’ve done at least one hundred. It’s one of the most
popular procedures.”

She gave him a broad smile. “I’m surprised you didn’t remind
me how you’re the best in the area.”

“Hey, I don’t like to brag.”

She put her empty plate on the coffee table. “Being a
Christian, I’m not afraid of dying, but I have to be positive in my heart that
nothing will go wrong because of Josh. I don’t want him raised by Toby.”

“Isn’t Toby a good father?” He couldn’t imagine Mallory once
being married to Toby if he wasn’t.

“Toby’s a great father except he wouldn’t take Josh to
church. Toby believes in God but only goes to church on Christmas and Easter.
He’s not interested in having a deeper relationship with the Lord. And I like
Josh going to our Christian school. I’m not so sure Toby would continue Josh’s
education there.”

He put his hand on her leg and felt a shot of desire for
Mallory. He had it bad for her. Why had Henry and Rebecca gone away for the
weekend? His friend was the only person he could talk to about his feelings for
Mallory. He didn’t think it would be wise to talk to his parents about her yet.
His mother would pump him with tons of questions which he couldn’t answer now.
Maybe he’d give his sister a call and tell her about Mallory.

“You have to get your pre-op done, so you can voice your
concerns to your own family doctor. I feel safe in telling you that nothing’s
going to stop you from raising Josh, but—”

“I got worried when Jeremy mentioned what just happened to
that poor girl. I do trust you as a surgeon and…”

He waited for a moment, wondering how else she trusted him.
Was she going to say as a friend? If they eventually started dating, being her
friend would be a good beginning for their relationship. He stretched his legs
and bumped the coffee table. Out of the corner of his eye, Seth saw that he’d
jarred a vase of flowers. He leaned closer quickly, grabbing the flowers. He
left out a deep breath. “I was afraid the vase would break.”

“It’s not your fault. I should’ve moved the table.” She
glanced at his legs. “You have long limbs.”

Seth examined the vase. “Where did you get this? It’s pretty
with the hand painted flowers. I bet my mom would like one. I could get her a
vase for Mother’s Day.”

“My grandmother was an artist, and she painted vases. She
gave them to me before she died. You can look at them and pick one out for your
mom.”

“Are you sure you want to part with one? I’m not sure I
should take a vase.”

“I want to give you one.”

“I wouldn’t feel right taking one of your grandmother’s
vases without paying you for it.”

She grinned. “You can always deduct money from the fee for
my surgery. After all, I could’ve raked some money from Derek if you allowed
observers.” She stood. “Follow me. I have them in a closet.”

After leading him into the study, she walked to the closet
and opened the white door. Vases of every size filled the closet.

“This is incredible.” He looked at her. “Did you get your
grandmother’s artistic talent?”

She laughed. “I’m afraid not. I can barely draw stick
figures.”

Forty-five minutes later, Seth stood at Mallory’s front
door. He’d finally written her a check and told her not to look at it until he
left. He’d selected a large vase with painted cherry blossoms plus a matching
jar for herbs. His mom had an herb garden, so he knew she’d be excited about
his gift.

He wanted to kiss Mallory. Surely a peck on the cheek should
be appropriate with him being at her house. He was not her doctor at the
moment. He leaned down to her. His lips brushed her cheek, and Mallory pulled
him closer to her.

She whispered, “Here’s a birthday kiss for you.”

With her in his arms, he felt Mallory’s breasts against his
chest. When their lips met, energy surged through him. Maybe it was only a
birthday kiss, but he hoped that it could be the beginning for something much
more. He could see them as a couple. But was there a chance of this happening?
He had no way of knowing if he’d get the opportunity to date Mallory after she
recovered from her surgery, but he knew one thing for sure.

He never wanted Mallory to think his only interest in her
was as her surgeon. He wanted so much more from this incredible woman.

Chapter Thirteen

“I’m so happy you called,” Mallory said to Heather. Her
friend’s call had given her a way out of an embarrassing situation. What had
possessed her to kiss Seth? She’d just made a fool of herself. He’d probably
think now that she was using him to get a discount on her plastic surgery.
Attacking her surgeon probably wasn’t a good thing. She just had to pick a
hottie for a doctor plus a very available man. But he’d kissed her back and
pulled her into his arms.

“I just had to call you.” Heather continued in an excited
voice, “Jeremy and I went for a walk after we left your place. We’re going
boating next Saturday on the Blanchard River. Mallory, you’re the best. Thank
you for talking to him tonight. When I saw him at the hospital, I was quiet
around him because I thought he wanted to ask you out.”

“Jeremy didn’t lose any time. He’s definitely interested in
you.” She bet it’d be the longest seven days for Heather. “Do you think you can
wait a whole week?”

Heather laughed. “I don’t have to. He’s going to the
hospital again on Monday to visit one of his church members. He wants to have
lunch with me.” 

Would Heather start going to Jeremy’s church instead? She
enjoyed having brunch with Heather after their church service. Before Alan
entered her mom’s life, it’d been Heather and her mom going to brunch with her
and Josh. “Will you be at church tomorrow?”

“Yes, don’t worry. I’m not ditching you and Josh. I might go
to Jeremy’s church sometime, but I don’t want to switch now. I don’t think it’d
be too great for me to start going to his church already.”

“I’m being selfish but I love our brunches. Derek and
Elizabeth are always together on Sunday, Mom’s with Alan and soon you’ll be
with Jeremy on Sunday.” She gave a short laugh. “But Josh’s stuck with me yet.”

“Hey, I’m not planning on making any changes yet. And what’s
up with you? I hear the fake perkiness in your voice that you get when you’re
down about something.”

Should she tell Heather about kissing Seth? Sure, she needed
to talk to someone about what happened. “It’s about Seth.”

“I’m sorry I called while Seth was still there. I couldn’t
wait to call you to tell you my good news, but things must have gone well for
you. Seth stayed late enough.”

She sighed. “Oh Heather, I did something stupid and
impulsive. Right before you called, I kissed Seth. First, he gave me a little
peck on the cheek. It was like a thank you gesture for inviting him. But I had
to go and pull him closer to me. Then I kissed him on his lips. I told him it
was a birthday kiss.”

“I’m sure he kissed you back. Right?”

“Yes, he did.”

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. He likes
you. Mallory, listen to me. When you went into the house with Jeremy, I saw how
Seth watched you. And he wasn’t looking at you like your surgeon, but the way a
guy does when he’s crazy about the woman.” 

“We shouldn’t be kissing. He’s going to operate on me. And I
feel weird since my lips haven’t touched another guy’s mouth for over ten
years. Toby was the only one for me for a long time.”

“How can you even think that way? Especially since Toby has
a girlfriend. He’s moved on with his life and you should too.” Heather’s voice
dropped. “I don’t want to hurt you but I had to say it.”

“I hate it that Toby and Samantha are a couple, but I still
can’t believe what I did. I don’t care if some time in the future Toby gets
married, but just surprised he’s already serious about Samantha. We haven’t
been divorced that long. It’s an ego thing that he has so quickly latched on to
another woman. First Lacey,  then Samantha…”

“Toby is
history.
Your ego should be feeling pretty
darn good right about now. A hot guy just came to your party to be with you,
and he
kissed
you.”

Why did she kiss Seth? What was she thinking? Should she
have the surgery when Seth didn’t just see her as his patient? Things were
getting too complicated.

Also the girl dying after having plastic surgery still
concerned her.

So many things to worry about.

But what bothered the most was that she had liked kissing
Seth. Very much.

***

After Seth finished making a few phone calls to patients, he
leaned back in his recliner. It was so comfortable that sometimes he fell
asleep in it and felt like an old guy at age thirty-six.
Oh, that’s right,
I’m thirty-seven years old now
. Last year Leanne had been a big part of his
life. They’d gone out to dinner and a movie for his birthday. Sometimes he
couldn’t believe Leanne had broken their engagement. He wondered if she ever
missed him, or regretted her decision. Probably not. When Leanne had told him
that it was over between them, she’d been in a hurry to leave Toledo and to
move to Florida.

He glanced at the wall clock and saw it was only two
o’clock. He had nothing planned for the whole Sunday afternoon.
Maybe I
should call Mallory. I could use the
vases for an excuse and thank her
again
. He should’ve had her wrap them for him. She’d offered to but he’d
hated to impose.

He couldn’t stop thinking about their kiss. Why did Heather
have to call Mallory at the moment they kissed? Although her kiss had surprised
him, he hadn’t wanted it to end. It had felt so right. Was she sorry though?
She’d looked embarrassed as she ran to answer the phone.

Okay, he wanted to see Mallory in the worst way. He needed
to think of something to say that would get her to agree to see him today.
Would Mallory object to him picking up some food and visiting her again so
soon? He’d like to meet Josh, and she could wrap the vases.