Mine at Last by Celeste O. Norfleet Page A

happened. But afterward she was stunned. For real, I could see it in her face. And I swear she was furious with herself, and she apologized to me.”
    Mikhail shook his head. “Bro, you got me. I’m good, but I’m the last person to try to figure out women.”
    “Yeah, but the thing is, there’s something about her, just like before. I’m intrigued.”
    “What do you mean, ‘just like before’?” Mikhail asked.
    Dominik smiled. “There’s no way I’d forget her. We went to school together.”
    “College or med school?”
    “High school, Key West High, to be exact.”
    “What? When?” Mikhail asked.
    “You had already graduated when she came. And it was only for junior and senior years. We graduated and then she just disappeared. She didn’t have any real friends, so I never knew what happened to her, but I was always curious.” He smiled.
    “Sounds like you had a little crush on her.”
    “I’m not gonna lie—I had something. She was fine and now she’s stunning. I don’t know if it was a crush or what, but I remember her.”
    “Does she know you remember her?”
    “No, and I’m gonna let her have her moment. Like I said, I don’t know what kind of game she’s playing, but that kiss definitely said something.”
    “Hell, yeah, of course it did. You’ve been challenged. The gauntlet has been thrown down. Now, I’m not saying she was teasing you or playing you, ’cause it doesn’t sound like that was the case. The fact that she was stunned with her own actions and apologized to you says something. But still, something prompted her action and your response. I think it only fitting you explore the possibilities.”
    “Words of wisdom?” Dominik asked his brother.
    “Yes, of course, that and treasure every minute you have. Each is special and will never come again. Carpe diem, seize the day.”
    “That’s pretty deep. Anything I should know about, Mikhail?”
    “Nah, nothing,” he shook his head. “Just like you said, words of wisdom.”
    Dominik knew his brother held secrets pertaining to his job and he never pressed him, but they both knew they could count on each other no matter what. He turned off his desktop and stored his laptop in his briefcase, then placed it in a locked drawer. “You ready to go?”
    Mikhail nodded. “Yeah, let’s do it,” he said, then stood and headed to the door. “I’ll drive, then drop you off back here. Everybody’s showing up, so parking is going to be a pain.”
    “All right,” Dominik said as he nodded and waved to several E.R. staff as they passed. He stopped to speak with one of the nurses and then a doctor afterward as they continued out through the security doors.
    “What time are you coming in tomorrow morning?”
    “I’m not. I’m off tomorrow and Sunday.”
    “Wow, that’s a first. The whole weekend. Any plans?”
    “Yeah, but I’ll be at the clinic all day tomorrow, and Sunday I’m gonna sleep.”
    Mikhail chuckled knowing his brother would more than likely be at the clinic all day both days. “Yeah, we’ll see how that works out for you. So, what’s she like?”
    Dominik glanced at Mikhail, then understood. “Opinionated, callous, arrogant,” Dominik said.
    “Is she attractive?” Mikhail asked. Dominik nodded. “Very attractive?” Mikhail asked again.
    “Yes, very attractive.”
    “Perhaps I’d better check her out for you.”
    “Nah, you sit this one out,” Dominik said.
    Mikhail chuckled. “All right. So, what’s her name?”
    “Shauna Banks.”
    “Does she live in Key West?”
    “The Cura Group is out of D.C., so I presume she’s from that area, or maybe Maryland or Virginia,” Dominik said as he and his brother walked through the parking lot to Mikhail’s car.
    Twenty minutes later, the front door opened as they walked up the path. Mia Morales, their cousin’s very pregnant wife, stood waiting. “Hey, you made it,” she said, smiling happily.
    “Yeah, sorry we’re late,” Dominik said. “How are