The statement surprises me, though I'm not sure why. "I didn't know you smoked."
“I don’t. It never seemed like a good idea. But now?” He shrugs. "League doesn't test for it. But I have no idea how to get drugs. Is that pathetic?”
I let out a laugh before I can stop myself. “Of course, you’re not pathetic. And actually, I do."
“You do what?”
“I know where to get some ganja.”
Alder sits up, eyebrows raised. "Dr. Sinclair, you naughty girl. Where?"
I absolutely cannot believe the rush of heat I feel at the sound of Alder forming the words "naughty" and "girl" in regards to me. I clear my throat. "Brad keeps a stash in his desk drawer. Top quality stuff, apparently. Medical grade.”
"And you never partook?"
"Once or twice." I shrug. "Not really my thing."
"So, where's this desk drawer?"
"In the apartment. In his 'office.'" I make air quotes around the word.
Alder's eyes light up. "The apartment you still need to get your stuff from?"
"Yeah, that's—" I stop as his meaning becomes clear. "Oh. You're suggesting we?—"
He grins, and there's something mischievous in it that makes my stomach flip. "You need your things, and I need to unwind. Might as well liberate some of Brad's finest while we're there."
"That's... petty theft."
“You think he’ll report it to the cops?” The blinding smile Alder sends my way includes dimples.
I try not to stare and consider his question. “Hell, I probably paid for it to begin with.”
"There you go. Just retrieving your property." He leans forward. "Come on, when did you last do something just because it felt good? Something a little reckless?"
The question catches me off guard. Does moving in with a hockey-playing stranger count? When was the last time otherwise? Before Brad, certainly. Perhaps even before dental school.
"Alright," I say, surprising myself. "Let's do it."
Alder's grin widens. "That's my girl."
The phrase sends another surge of warmth through me, which I immediately try to squash. I'm not his girl.
But as we plan our "heist," as Alder insists on calling it, I can't help but relish the conspiratorial energy between us.
“It would be great if he were out tonight," Alder says, pulling takeout menus from a drawer. "I'd rather not have a confrontation if we can avoid it. Although I also don’t want to think about him and Adam fucking…”
I pull out my phone and open the shared calendar app Brad insisted we use. "Looks like he has a department mixer tonight until 9."
"Perfect. We'll go at 7:30, be out by 8:30."
"We should probably eat first," I suggest. "And maybe get some snacks for... after."
Alder glances up from the menus, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Planning to join me, Dr. Sinclair?"
"I'm keeping my options open."
He laughs with a deep, genuine sound that makes me smile in return. "I like this rebellious side of you."
