Malachi Gregory (Volume One) - Rough Draft (Final Copy Coming Soon to Amazon)

Chapter 4: Getting to Know Each Other

Bailey's POV

After Mal and I assure the boys we won't need much from the house, just the essentials and sentimental, they agree to taking my jeep, not that they had a choice. Being the gentlemen they are, Xane and Jay Luke insist that they take the back. Mal and I only agree because we're the ones who know where we're going. After all, Xane as only been to our place once and Jay Luke has never been.

We decide to use the twenty-minute car ride to get to know each other. "I think it's only fair the smartest of all of us gets to go first," I suggest. "So, Dr. Alberts, what's your story?" I smirk at Mal knowing that she knows I'm practically melting just looking at my very attractive new partner.

"Now, love," yup, definitely melting. "I'm certainly not smarter than any of you, and you don't have to call me Dr. Alberts. Jay Luke is just fine."

"Oh, I know," I acknowledge, not bothering to hide my very obvious flirting. "But there's just something intriguing about the title, "Doctor" don't you think, Doc?"

"Perhaps, if you think so," he replies. Has he already taken the bait of my not so subtle flirting? I take from the grin on Mal's face that he has. Dang I'm good.

"Now that's settled, tell us about yourself, Jay Luke. Mal and I would love to know more about you."

He smiles. "Okay," he agrees pleasantly. "When I'm not helping people, I like to be outside. I suppose you noticed the recreational areas I showed you outside. I like to swim, play basketball, run the track, even golf at the club sometimes. I also shoot archery and guns every now and then." I smile in awe at him and try to contain my laughter. "What's so funny," he asks curiously.

"Sorry, it's just, most guys will tick off such a list of sports to try and sound impressive, but you seem to really just be sharing your interests; it's nice," I answer smiling again.

He smiles back at me. "If I intend to impress you," he says. "It will not be through bragging rights, but through subtle gestures or grand romantic schemes," he pauses. "If I were to try to impress you, you would get something special. You deserve to be swept off your feet in an unexpected and carefully thought out and gentle way." Mal and I exchange glances.

"You don't even know me," I say in awe. "How could you possibly know what I deserve?"

"As you pointed out, I'm a doctor," he says simply. "I'm trained to see the ways people have been hurt. Your hurt is in your eyes," he observes.

"So, you're kind of like Mal," I ask curiously. Mal seems to listen even more carefully.

He laughs. "No, you can't learn what Mal has been gifted with." He smiles at her, almost enviously. "But you can be taught how to read people. I can't see all your secrets just from looking at you the way Mal seems to be able to, but I can see your hurts."

"And what are my hurts," I ask cautiously.

He pauses for a moment. "I don't know," he answers. "I'll let you tell me when or if you're ready." He's perfect. God sent me the most perfect human he possibly could.

"Thank you," I answer seriously. "Now, what about you, Casanova. What's your story?"

"What is it with y'all Hollywood girls calling me anything but my name," he asks, almost annoyed.

"What, you don't like terms of endearment," I ask mock wounded.

"What about you, Doctor," Mal asks Jay Luke. "Now that we've discussed it, do you like terms of endearment?"

"Well, that's the question now isn't it," he asks smiling wryly at me. "I suppose it depends on who's asking." Yup, I'm a puddle of swoon now.

"Is that it then," Mal asks Xane. I look at her, surprised to hear a carefully constructed wall of casualty built around her tone. Is it possible she's already opening up to Xane?