One: How did Mariah not pick up the clues that he was an MMA fighter going tothatfight?
Because he had focused on Mariah during their conversations.
Two: Why did he have to make weight at the last minute?
Because he had been helping Mariah with the house call and ministering to her neuroses. Great. The guy had spent time he didn't have helping her out.
Tucking her tail between her legs and slinking into the corner sounded really good right about now.
Oh no. She would have to see him tomorrow night. It had to be the same event. Her pulse skipped a beat. Hey, it wasn't her fault that she didn't know he was a local fighter. She had only been working the Wyoming fights for the past few months. Still learning the various local characters. Like Linc McDowell.
Who she would also have to see. She shuddered.
Time to don the professional armor.
The beats in her chest finally slowed down. She pasted a bland smile on her face. "That sounds interesting." Interesting? Who the hell saidinteresting? Like a bug collection interesting? Or maybe a car accident on the side of the road where the EMS crew had to use the freakin' Jaws of Life interesting?
Shelby flicked her gaze toward Mariah as a ghost of a smirk lit her face. "So are we okay to get on out of here?" She balanced on one leg and fitted the crutches under her arms.
Eric hovered until Shelby glared at him and he backed off. Then she flashed a big grin at Mariah. "Have to keep the men off-balance." She tilted her head toward him. "Don't let them know you're into them or they'll want to get all squishy and caveman on you."
Mariah's mouth gaped. "What?"
"Squishy?" Eric crossed his arms. "I'm head injured. I have zero memory of anything I might or might not have said to you in the past."
"Don't worry. I'll remind you of all the sappy stuff you said, dude." She shook her head, moving the wild orange curls. "See you later, Dr. West." She slowly made her way out of the exam room.
Behind her back, Eric circled his temple with a finger and mouthedsorry. Then he shrugged and followed her out the room.
Mariah might as well have given Shelby her journal. Was nothing private in this town?
Had Shelby been talking to Vaughn? Unlikely. That guy didn't strike her as the sharing type, even with his family.
She shook her head as she went into the next exam room.
Tomorrow night she'd see Vaughn again. Chances were, he wouldn't be thrilled by her presence.
Yay. Something to look forward to.
The drinks after work tonight with friends had ceased to be optional. Mariah was going to need them.
