The Doctor's Choice

Chapter Three

He had to be out of his mind, that was the only explanation for why Evan was driving down Townsend Road from a Saturday night hookup, less than twenty-four hours after being propositioned. With a coworker no less. Lucy had sent him the message with her address and a time and he had taken the plunge.  Any remaining reservations he'd held at the idea were alleviated when he'd actually arrived at Lucy's apartment. They had sat and discussed the arrangement. A fling, friends with benefits, and nothing more. The visit lasted all of an hour but when Evan left, there was no denying he felt refreshed. Somehow, it made his upcoming dinner date with Izzy seem less daunting. He took a right on Wilson Drive and a left on Bartow before pulling into his own driveway. Kelsey had only been available for a few hours, she had plans of her own that night. Evan hopped out of the car and headed up the walk. His keys clinked in the lock but the knob turned easily and he entered the foyer.

"Daddy!" Abby jumped up from the couch and launched herself at him.

"Hey, kiddo. Have fun?"

"Yup! And now it's movie time."

"Alright, Abby." Kelsey came up behind her, hands on hips. "We had a deal."

"A deal?" Evan raised his brow and looked down at Abby.

"When you get home I have to wash up and put on my jammies, and Ms Kelsey will put on her jammies and watch a movie with me!"

"I'm not above bribery," chuckled Kelsey. Abby, already halfway up the stairs, didn't hear. "Is it okay if I hang around for a bit?"

"That's fine with me, but didn't you have plans with your friends tonight?"

"I'm beginning to think Abby's the only reliable friend I have in this town." Kelsey crossed her arms and leaned into the door frame. "They canceled on me, like, five minutes ago."

"Always nice when people give you adequate notice."

"You know it."

"And you're sure that you'd rather watch a G-rated children's film tonight than find something else more in your age bracket?"

"Hey now, I like G-rated stuff." Evan raised his brow and Kelsey broke into a grin. "Although the non-G-rated stuff is pretty damn good too."

"It's even better with a drink. I think I'll make myself a rum and coke to start. What will you have?"

Kelsey smirked, "Sounds like a good starting point for me too, actually."

"I'm ready!" Abby shouted from the bathroom.

"You go help her," said Kelsey. "I'll be back in a half hour for the movie." Kelsey skipped over to the front door. "Make sure you're in your jammies, too!"

Abby gleefully settled on the couch with Kelsey on one side and her father on the other, a bowl of popcorn overtaking her tiny lap. The adults clinked their glasses together as the movies began, an animated children's fantasy adventure. Evan's heart melted when he looked over twenty minutes in to see Abby curled into Kelsey. He took the opportunity to refresh his drink, and Kelsey's. Leaning back, he draped his arm over the couch. Kelsey, with a dramatic yawn, leaned over and placed her head on his shoulder. Abby shifted, her dark hair falling over her closed eyes.

"She never can stay up past eight," Evan chuckled. "I should take her to bed."

"Let her be for a little bit longer." Kelsey snuggled against Evan's shoulder. "I don't mind."

Evan moved his arm to rest on Kelsey's, and gave a gentle squeeze. They spent the remainder of the movie like that, the three of them snuggled tightly together on the couch, Abby asleep in the middle. At the end, Evan carefully disentangling himself, and gathered the sleeping child in his arms. He'd tucked her into bed and shut the door softly behind him before returning to the living room where Kelsey was cleaning up spilled popcorn.

"One more for the road?" Evan lifted the empty tumblers from the coffee table.

"Sure." 

Evan topped them both off and handed Kelsey her glass. "Has she ever finished that movie?"

"We should probably start it earlier in the day next time." Kelsey reached for the glass, her fingers brushing against Evan's hand and her big eyes staring up at him. She quickly downed the drink and requested another.

"You sure that's a good idea?"

"It'll make this easier." Before Evan could react, Kelsey was in his arms, soft lips pressed to his. She pulled back, messy bangs loose around her face.

"Kelsey." Evan did his best to imagine an absolutely frigid cold shower. "We've had a few drinks, this isn't a good idea."

"I know." Kelsey sat back now, straightening her hair with her fingertips. "And the fact that you are being so stand-up about it is really making me want you more."

"Listen," Evan rubbed at his temples. "You're beautiful. Stunning, really. You're great with Abby, you're intelligent and fun. I could go on."

"I wouldn't mind."

"Kelsey, you're the girl from next door. You've been watching my daughter since she was born."

"I'm a full grown woman, with needs and desires."

Evan looked over Kelsey, "You are a full grown woman. A beautiful, beautiful full grown woman that I would very much like to help with those needs and desires. I'm not an ass though, I won't sleep with a drunk woman if consent wasn't previously given."

"So if I weren't drunk?"

Evan wanted to say no, but her eyes were so alluring that he couldn't avoid the wave of desire that washed over him. "I'm not saying never. I am saying not tonight."

"That's fair." Kelsey finished her drink and gave a slow show of a stretch. "I should head out."

"Probably for the best." Evan followed her to the door. "I'm sorry, Kelsey."

"It's okay." Her playful demeanor was gone. "It's kind of refreshing to hit on a guy with morals and standards. I hope I didn't actually offend you."

"Not at all, it's actually pretty flattering. Besides," his eyes locked onto hers, "different circumstances could always yield different results in the future."

"Are you going to watch me walk home again?" Kelsey's tone was playful again, her eyes reminding him that he was only preventing his own good time. Evan's breath hitched. Her eyes rolled as the seduction melted into myrth. "I'll see you later, Dr Ellison." Kelsey was out of the house and into her own in the time it took Evan to return to his proper senses and peer out the window to make sure she was, in fact, safe. He was beginning to wonder just how many women had been lying in wait for his marriage to fall apart. Shaking his head, Evan resolved to have another drink and not think for what remained of the evening.