The Doctor's Choice

Chapter Seven

The sunflower patterned dress with the empire-waist came to Kelsey's knees, her hair pulled up into a loose bun with tendrils falling over her shoulders. Her face broke into a smile that could have melted an iceberg. Kelsey looked at Izzy's arm locked onto his, a look of acknowledgment on her face. Evan grinned and waved her over.

"Don't you look handsome." Kelsey turned and extended her hand to Izzy. "I'm Kelsey."

"I'm Izzy. I've heard about you." Kelsey lost a little color. Izzy laughed. "It was all good, I promise."

"I know of you," Kelsey said, "but It's been a few months since Dr. Ellison and I last talked. I'm glad to see you're still together."

"You look good. How have you been?" Evan asked.

"It's been interesting, that's for sure. Lots of changes happening in my life right now. I came up here with some friends to try and relax before the real fun begins."

"Your next year of school is a pretty important one."

Kelsey nodded. "I don't want to keep you two from your date."

"It's only our first day here." Izzy shrugged. "You two should get together for your own date before you head back."

"I mean..." Kelsey bit her lip. "I figured if you're still together by now you're doing the exclusive thing, so..."

"We're doing the open thing." Izzy looked at Evan. "I have zero problems with you two hanging out." She kissed Evan on the cheek. "There's enough love for everyone here." Kelsey's grin returned, and she quickly scribbled on a neighboring napkin. She handed the phone number to Evan and, kissing his opposite cheek, bounded back off to her little group.

"You are pretty damn amazing."

"How so?"

"This is our romantic week-long getaway, yet here you are encouraging me to take another young lady out on a date."

"That's not me being amazing, love." She looked back at Kelsey. "Me... I believe everything happens for a reason. Neither or you expected to see each other again, at least not for awhile, but here we are. Don't miss the opportunity."

Evan pressed a tender kiss to Izzy's lips. "Your capacity for love still catches me off-guard." He gave Izzy a squeeze. "Drink?"

"I thought you'd never ask!"

Sunlight seeped in through the sheer curtains of the beach house, casting long shadows throughout the room. Giggles and moans wafted down from the sleeping loft as lovers played. Evan's fingers tangled in silky hair, his face flushed with need. He let out a final gasping cry and Izzy slid back up his body, into his arms.

"I contend that this is the best possible way to start a morning," Evan murmured as she snuggled against him.

"So you don't want me to make coffee?"

Evan pushed up from the mattress. "I'll make it. Some breakfast too, if you like."

"A woman could get spoiled by a man like you." She swatted at Evan's bare butt as he crawled to the ladder. He shook his head, a still-dazed grin on his face, as he swung his legs over the ledge and climbed down. She pulled the sheet up over her chest. "Any major plans today?"

"I was thinking we could go to the boardwalk this morning, have some corn dogs for lunch and get some shopping in."

"I was actually hoping to spend some time on the beach, you know, catching some sun."

"We'll split the difference." He pulled on some boxer briefs. "You stay here and sun, I'll go into town. We'll meet up this afternoon and swap stories."

"You should see if Kelsey's available for corndogs and shopping." Izzy leaned on her side, looking over the rail of the loft. "It would be a cute date for catching up."

Evan nodded. "I'll send her a text. In the meantime," he looked up, "how do you want your eggs?"

On the boardwalk was a small artisan cafe with scattered patio seating. It had seemed a good meeting spot for brunch, and Evan was not disappointed to see the familiar woman sitting in an off-the-shoulder white beach dress and a sun hat at one of the tables. She was holding a book in her hands, idly flipping through the pages. Evan watched her. More than being physically attractive, Kelsey was intelligent. In his book, that was a much sexier attribute. He inhaled deeply and crossed the distance between them.

"Dr. Ellison!" She closed the book and stood to hug him. "I'm glad we could get together."

"Don't you think it's high time you called me Evan?" Kelsey blushed.

They sat.

"Do you mind my asking what you were reading?"

"It's a book on early childhood development."

"Still studying over summer break." Evan chuckled. "You're going to be one hell of a teacher."

Kelsey blushed again. "How's Abby?"

The waitstaff came and took their orders as the pair caught up on the mundane aspects of life. Eventually the conversation shifted to more personal matters. Kelsey had dated a handful of people but wasn't currently involved in a serious relationship. Evan talked about Lucy and Izzy, how Lucy was seeing someone new but that their relationship remained unchanged. As to Izzy, he had to admit things had been moving toward the next level.

"So, you think she might be the one?"

Evan shrugged. "Izzy doesn't want to be a one and only. Honestly, the more time I spend with her, the more this life appeals to me. Take Lucy, for example. I love seeing her and having fun. We have passionate love on a different level than I have with Izzy. That being said, with Izzy I have more of a tender love and affection. Not the same thing as passionate love, but equally important."

"What about with me?"

Evan sighed. "With you, it was passion, but there was a tenderness there too." He took her hands into his. "That connection with you is just as precious to me as the ones I share with Lucy and Izzy."

Kelsey looked down at the table. Her hands trembled and a tear slid down her cheek. When she looked back up, her warm smile had returned but stood in contrast with the terror in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just... I figured it was a one-time fling. I never thought you actually felt anything for me."

"What I feel for you," he squeezed her hand, "is a desire to grow with you. I know long-distance can be difficult, but us running into each other here isn't chance. I want you in my life."

"I want you in mine."

Evan pulled her hand to him, placing a kiss on the inside of her wrist. "Why don't you come back to the beach house. We're going to barbecue tonight."

"I'd like that."

"So would Izzy." He chuckled. "She's excited to have another female around to swap embarrassing stories about me with."

Kelsey laughed. "I can tell her about the bubble bath incident."

"I didn't know Abby had put in the bubble bath before starting up the jets." Evan held his hands up, a wide grin on his face.

"The bathroom was filled with foam. I had to come babysit that day just so you could clean up the mess!" She was holding her sides now, laughing at the memory. Evan laughed too. It had been comical indeed, him fighting a growing foam wall to rescue the amused little girl from the tub and get out of the room.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up."

"Oh, this is going to be fun." She leaned forward on her elbows, her chin resting in her hands. 

"What time should I come by?"

"Shoot for four. I'll write down the address."

"Four it is."