"Tricks of the trade?" Amber teased. Work was a good subject and she eased right into it, glad to take her mind off how bizarre it was to get a sandwich with a guy she really cared about. "I should watch out for the stable ones, since they're the real trouble-makers?"
But all her shy affection twisted into something hot and choking at the intrusion. Amber smiled as if constrained by invisible wires; moved with the flexibility of a solid iron block. Eric knew her name and was embarrassed to, sputtering out the greetings. Not a good sign. One wasn't embarrassed to know someone for no reason; Amber’s arm stretched back as if he'd intuitively stepped away. From which—or both—of them?
Shanelle was a knock-out, simply put. Strong features-- sharp jaw, curved nose with a rounded tip, short curly hair that showed off the shape of her face… more than all that, a bounciness that lit her up. And really white teeth too, her huge, playful grin revealed. Really pretty.
Amber hated her, irrationally and totally. Eric too, for asking how she was and was she one of the exes House had referred to? Amber certainly hoped so; it’d be the lesser of two evils, since Eric had said he hadn't loved any of them. Amber's hand flinched into a squeeze; she really didn't feel like holding him right now, but she didn't want to let go either.
Fortunately the introductions directed her actions. Amber snaked her arm back in front of her to shake (one-name) Shanelle's. "Dr. Amber Volakis," she expanded and wow did the bend of her lopsided grin feel unnatural, as if someone had hammered a sheet of metal into an awkward, lumpy circle.
For her part, Shanelle transferred her amusement-- what was she so pleased about anyway?-- from Eric to Amber, only now instead of checking out a likely fun time, it seemed she was about to burst out laughing. "Good to meet you," she said, shaking Amber's hand back firmly. Didn't give a title, but no last name either, so she could still be a doctor.
Enough of this. If there was shit to clear up, they’d do it now. No more stomach-coiling or questions. "So is Shanelle a former patient of yours or did you just sleep together?" Amber asked almost politely, hands clasped over her front.
no subject
But all her shy affection twisted into something hot and choking at the intrusion. Amber smiled as if constrained by invisible wires; moved with the flexibility of a solid iron block. Eric knew her name and was embarrassed to, sputtering out the greetings. Not a good sign. One wasn't embarrassed to know someone for no reason; Amber’s arm stretched back as if he'd intuitively stepped away. From which—or both—of them?
Shanelle was a knock-out, simply put. Strong features-- sharp jaw, curved nose with a rounded tip, short curly hair that showed off the shape of her face… more than all that, a bounciness that lit her up. And really white teeth too, her huge, playful grin revealed. Really pretty.
Amber hated her, irrationally and totally. Eric too, for asking how she was and was she one of the exes House had referred to? Amber certainly hoped so; it’d be the lesser of two evils, since Eric had said he hadn't loved any of them. Amber's hand flinched into a squeeze; she really didn't feel like holding him right now, but she didn't want to let go either.
Fortunately the introductions directed her actions. Amber snaked her arm back in front of her to shake (one-name) Shanelle's. "Dr. Amber Volakis," she expanded and wow did the bend of her lopsided grin feel unnatural, as if someone had hammered a sheet of metal into an awkward, lumpy circle.
For her part, Shanelle transferred her amusement-- what was she so pleased about anyway?-- from Eric to Amber, only now instead of checking out a likely fun time, it seemed she was about to burst out laughing. "Good to meet you," she said, shaking Amber's hand back firmly. Didn't give a title, but no last name either, so she could still be a doctor.
Enough of this. If there was shit to clear up, they’d do it now. No more stomach-coiling or questions. "So is Shanelle a former patient of yours or did you just sleep together?" Amber asked almost politely, hands clasped over her front.