Continuation 1

Sure," she says, trying to sound happy.

"You coming?" Brody asks, turning to me. Without thinking, I look at Ainsley, her eyes willing me to say no.

"Oh, thought it was brother-sister time," I say.

"Well, you're her default brother, so come on," Brody says.

Ouch! I'm not her brother, and I've never thought of myself that way. Brody starts for the door, and Ainsley glances at me. I give her a little wink, indicating that everything will be fine, but she doesn't look like she believes me. As we head out, Brody immediately starts in on her. How's she feeling? What are her plans? He makes any helicopter parent look like they're on a pleasure cruise.

The place isn't far, and thank fuck, it's not crowded. It's one of those places where you order at the counter, and then they bring the food out to you. Ainsley orders first before going to grab a table. Looking back at her over my shoulder, I see her studying the chairs, trying to decide the best seating arrangement.

I hate seeing her stressed. I hate that I didn't buy her lunch. I hate that I didn't pull out her chair, so I'll be damned if I don't sit next to her. It's a four-top, so technically I could leave an empty seat between us. But I don't, not even when she puts her purse on it, a not-so-subtle hint for me to park my ass elsewhere.

Instead, I pick it up, move it out of the way, and sit down before Brody walks over. "Did you stay in bed all day yesterday?" he asks.

"What?" she cries.

"Since you weren't feeling well," he says. "Did you stay in bed and rest?"

I stayed in bed," she says, trying to keep from smiling, both of us knowing how little rest we actually got.

We make small talk until the server comes over with the food, and I slip my hand to her thigh, using the tablecloth to hide our contact.

It's only meant to reassure her, but her cheeks blush just the same. I'd bet her panties are soaked, too. Still, this isn't a romantic comedy where the leads give one other hand jobs at the dinner table. I'm not willing to risk her feelings or her brother's with that kind of behavior, no matter how much fun it would be.

Brody said this would be a quick lunch, but he's suddenly droning on and on about her career plans, picking the right guy, local self-defense courses, and date rape drugs. He seems to have forgotten that we do have a waiting room full of patients, even if they are just looking for dates. Usually, Ainsley would be giving it right back to him, but she seems fascinated by the tiny seeds on her hamburger bun, picking them off one at a time, not having actually taken a bite