Andy has my legs draped over his lap so my feet rest on the middle cushion between him and Mitch. My thighs become his plate as he eats.

While I struggle to chew the lukewarm food, they watch the hockey game take shape on the screen. Andy and Mitch banter about good and bad calls as I continue to force myself to swallow.

“You see that Cate? We’re going to pull a win out of this one.”

Mitch’s whole demeanor has changed. He grips my ankle as if we are the best of friends while his eyes remain on the screen. He squeezes before letting go and jumping to his feet as the buzzer sounds.

Andy looks so alive, his face serene. The contentment of having me and his friend over is clear in his expression. I like the look there, so I smile when he faces me. His eyes darken and I sense he’s forgotten about the game and wants to focus on me.

“You know where the other bedroom is,” Andy says as he stands up with me in his arms. “I’ve got rounds in the morning.”

“You have to work,” I say dumbly. Of course he does. Hospitals never close.

I’ve already received a text from the office emergency system letting me know the office will be closed tomorrow.

He glances down at me with a huge smile on his face. “Doctor’s work is never done. Why don’t we go play doctor?”

Mitch snickers. “I bet all that doctor play you did as a kid influenced your job choice.”

“I was good at it,” Andy says with a laugh and carries me into the bedroom.

He sets me down on my feet and his face is sober. “My office will most likely be closed. However, the hospital won’t. In fact, because I live closer, I might get called in.”

“Like you said, a doctor’s work is never done. But I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”

His grin widens. “Great! You can sleep naked.”

He’s already working on the buttons of my blouse.

“Mitch is here,” I say playfully slapping at his hands.

“I locked the door and he’ll probably fall asleep on the couch. I don’t have a TV in the other bedroom. He’ll stay out there watching Sports Center most of the night.”

“Andy.”

“Cate,” he says taking my hand and placing it on the hard length of him though his pants.

“I don’t think I can knowing he’s out there.”

Andy groans and lets his head falls back on his shoulder.

The idea of me screaming with his friend in the other room is mortifying. “I do have a solution,” I say as I get to my knees and work his jeans down to his ankles.

I do my best to suck him to the moon and back with hollow cheeks and humming noises. I know I’m doing a good job when he begins to lose control. He fists my hair in his hands and starts to fuck my face. It’s so hot, I decide to use my free hand to work out the pressure that builds in me.

“Cate, baby, I’m coming.”

His release is hot and salty and I take pleasure in swallowing it as I hold in the noise from my own pleasure. He frees himself from my mouth and pulls me to stand up.

“Did you just get yourself off?”

His eyes are husky on mine. I nod.

“With this hand?” he asks as he takes my wrist.

I nod again.

He lifts my hand to his mouth and sucks my fingers.

“Fuck, you taste good.”

He then picks me up and I squeal not expecting it. He tosses me on the bed and I giggle as I land, which is so unlike me. He works my skirt and thong off before spreading my legs wide. He nestles there and gets me off another two times.

“I can’t get enough of you,” he says before sliding his stiff cock into me. He makes love to me long and slow and I’ve forgotten all about Mitch.

We lay in bed wrapped up in each other as his hand strokes my hair. I finally broach the subject.

“So were you really that bad off when I left?”

His hand stills. “Cate, I thought we weren’t going to talk about the past.”

“I know, but…” I’m not sure how to put it. “I need to understand.”

He lets out a deep breath. “I know where everything went wrong. I know my part in it. When you left, it took me by surprise that you’d left the city for good. No one would tell me where you’d moved to and you changed your phone number. I admit I was pissed for a short time. I thought what we had deserved more than you leaving that way. But I get it. I know why you did it. Why you felt like you had to do it.”

I listen to the sounds of his heartbeats a few seconds before I spoke. “I never meant to hurt you like that.”

He was silent. “Let’s just move on. Nothing is solved by dwelling on a past we can’t change. You’re here. I’m here. We’re here together. In this together.”

“We are and I’m so incredibly happy.”

He kisses my forehead. “There is nothing in this world more important to me than to see you happy.”

The smell of coffee wakes me in the morning as the bedroom door opens.

“Morning, I brought you a cup.”

I squeal because it’s not Andy speaking. I grip the covers around me. Mitch laughs.

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before, cupcake, and I don’t poach. You’re Drew’s and I respect that.”

He sets the coffee down. “I’m making breakfast if you’re interested.”

And he leaves the room as quickly as he came in. Only he doesn’t close the door. My clothes are at the other end of the room. I’m left wondering what twilight light zone I’ve entered. Men are crazy. Instead of getting out of bed, I sit up and grab the coffee. On the bedside table, a note sits on top of some clothes.

Cate,

I had early rounds and didn’t want to wake you. You look so beautiful when you sleep, when you’re awake, and wherever and whatever you’re doing. I’ve left you a tee-shirt and boxers. Mitch has no boundaries when it comes to personal space. I won’t be long.

I’ll be back before lunch. Stay.

Andy

I smile and quickly get dressed under the covers before heading to the bathroom to take care of my morning routine. I glance and only see the one toothbrush. As much spit swapping as Andy and I’ve done, it doesn’t take much for me to talk myself into using his toothbrush. Fresh breath wins out and I head to the kitchen to deal with Andy’s friend alone.

MY ROLE AS AN INTERN is in full swing and living with Drew is working out better than I’d expected. He is as easy going every day as he was on the weekends we were together. There are never any surprises, which I love about him.

My boss, Mr. Hendershot, is great. He takes me under his wing and spoon feeds me the kind of information interns rarely get. I’ve landed a gem of a job. Besides the occasional audit engagement for clients who have fiscal years, I’m working on writing their policy manual in the accounting department, which gives me the opportunity to use my dual major. Mr. Hendershot is filled with all sorts of knowledge that he doles out to me like M&M’s and I joyfully gobble them up. Midway through the summer, he asks what my intentions are as far as geographical locations after graduation.

“My fiancé and I will be moving back to Charleston. He is going to pursue a fellowship in oncology there.”

“Well, that’s a shame, Cate, because I would love to have you on board with us. But I can certainly promise you a great recommendation. You know, wherever you land, you’re going to shine.”

That night I rush in from work, eager to share my news with Drew. He loves hearing about my work, and he’s always very supportive of everything I do. But he’s not there and I spy a note from him on the counter.

Just a reminder, babe, I have hockey practice tonight.

Won’t be late.

This guy looooves you!