Stern Men Always Finish Last

Chapter 7

Minutes pass as I wait for my body's reaction to the naughty nurse fantasy to calm and then I head to the kitchen. Normally I would insist upon eating in the formal dining room, but Sean and Miss Sorenson look so lovely sitting on bar stools with their Chinese takeout containers and chop sticks that I don't have the heart to make them move. They are relaxed and smiling at each other.

Will she ever be like that with me? The question irritates me. At some point I have to let my guard down with her if I want to win a piece of her heart. Sean says that she loves me. But how can someone like her love someone like me? I've been called "cold as ice" on more than one occasion and her heart and soul is as warm as the sun on a summer day. I steel my emotions and enter the kitchen – making sure to cause a bit of noise so that I don't surprise them. Sang turns and beams as she watches me enter. That smile could cure any illness and she's smiling at me. I want to sigh in contentment.

"Miss Sorenson. Dr. Green." I greet them with my millimeter smile. "What are we having this evening?"

"Well, Pookie's got beef with broccoli, I'm currently devouring some lovely sweet and sour chicken, and we got your standard ma po tofu." Sean makes a disgusted face as he mentions my standard order. "Although, I'm not sure one can count tofu as real food."

"I'll have you know that there is more protein in my meal then either of yours. Besides, with this lovely spicy sauce, it's delicious." We finish our dishes in comfortable silence. I observe the closeness of the pair from my perch on the other side of the counter. If Sang knew how much I love to study her, she would probably find me creepy. I just cannot help the fact that I find her fascinating. Her innocent and honest reactions to the world are much like a child discovering something for the first time. In many ways, she is. Her awful parents have repressed her social and emotional development. But my brothers and I get to reap the benefits. Holidays, trips, foreign cuisine, and many more things that my brothers and I get to experience again as if it was the first time. Sang hasn't had those experience, so we get to share in her wonder and joy. And it makes life all the more enjoyable for us.

A snapping noise startles me out of my thoughts. "Owen! Are you with us?"

"My apologies, Dr. Green. What were you saying?"

Sean gives me a knowing smirk and I glare back at him. "I was asking if you were packed up and ready to go?"

"Oh, yes. Let me grab my coat and bag and I will join you both in the car." I go to throw out the food containers and notice that the kitchen is spotless. How long was I off in my own world? How in the world does Luke handle missing time like this?

I grab my things, lock up, and make my way to Sean's Honda. I cannot fathom why he hasn't purchased another car. He makes good money and since he let me invest for him, his money makes money. Sean could afford any car he wants, but he refuses to get rid of his purple Honda. As I approach the vehicle, I note that Sang has placed herself in the back seat. I know Sean well enough to say that he tried to coax her into the front with him, but Sang will always sacrifice herself for us. That selfless streak will one day get her seriously hurt. I open up the back door and look directly at her "Miss Sorenson, you can sit up front if you like."

I just resist the urge to grab her hand as she brings her finger to her lip. "Oh. No. I'm fine. You have longer legs. You should sit up front." I see her look at Sean in the mirror and I know that she is gauging his reaction. He definitely tried to change her mind earlier and obviously failed.

I sigh, shut the door and get in up front. Glancing over at Sean we have one of our silent conversations.

Owen: She wouldn't sit up front for you either?