Novocain

Chapter Eight

Malcolm knocked on the door before him.

Marceline Anne opened it and pulled him in. "Where have you been?!"

"Sorry. I was swamped with patients. I came as soon as I saw all your missed calls."

"A man kissed me."

"What?!" He was feeling so many different emotions at once.

"A man kissed me."

"When?!"

"A few hours ago."

"I-!" He began pacing.

"Are you upset?" She cocked her head.

He stopped with his back to her. Did she want him to be? Did she not want him to be? He knew she didn't like him flying off the handle over men chasing her. But she'd grown to understand, right?

"Mal?" She touched his back.

He twitched. He turned with an easy (false) smile. "It's okay."

"It is?"

"Yes. You didn't invite it. You didn't invite it, right?" He held his breath.

Her face wrinkled.

His lips curved. "It's okay."

She smiled back. This was the man she wanted. "Are you ready to go home?"

"Actually, I am. Did you enjoy your party? Other than that horrible man touching you?"

"No. It was pretty terrible." She stepped closer, pressing herself to him. "I kept thinking I couldn't wait to go home and curl around my husband."

He grew hot. "Really?"

"Yes." She grabbed his hands and entwined their fingers.

He squeezed. "Well don't let me hold you up."

She giggled. "Let's go. I'm ready."

His face flamed. Did that last statement sound different than the one before it? He had to answer because she was looking up at him expectantly. "Sure."

She smiled widely. "Let me get my things."

He watched her walk to her desk, unsure if she was moving her hips that sensually for him. He had to cool it though. They couldn't do anything. Cancer sucked...

N-

Karen put her things away, bone tired. She'd taken over a lot of the dealings with Rose's By the Dozen for Marceline Anne while she was hospitalized and she still needed help so Karen was busy with her own workload and her best friend's.

Nancy ran in. "Hi, Karen!"

"Hey, Nan." Karen moved slowly. Morning sickness had been kicking her butt, too.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine." Karen ran a hand over her sister's dark brown hair.

"Momma and Daddy want to see you."

Karen yawned. "Where?"

"In the office."

"Thank you, honey."

Nancy hugged her before leaving.

Karen finished putting her things away and slowly moved downstairs to go to the office her parents shared. She knocked on the door thrice.

"Come in!" Brooke called.

She opened the door. "Nan said you wanted to see me?"

"Yes." Calvin nodded. "Come in and close the door."