The Doctor Is In Read Free

opportunity for him to stop at the jewelers to pick out a ring for Raine. Envisioning her reaction made him feel slightly better, and by the end of the day, he hoped, things would be looking up.
    Kasen looked up at Voncile. “You know, you’re right. Mr. Jones’s situation has taken a toll on me today, so I’m going to take your advice and go get some fresh air. Can I get anything for you while I’m out?”
    “Well, I was gonna say that what I would like only my boyfriend can give me, but since we called it quits the other day, that’s not likely to happen. So, I guess you can bring me back a salted caramel shake.”
    Kasen stood up and took his jacket off the back of the chair. “I’m sorry to hear about your boyfriend,” he said.
    Voncile shrugged. “No big deal. We weren’t together that long anyway, and I can do better than him,” she said with a flirtatious smile.
    He chuckled . They often teased each other around the office. If he was being honest with himself, there was some sexual tension there, but he had never pursued it.
    Voncile often wondered why he didn’t make a move. She certainly had thrown enough hints his way. She knew that Kasen was involved with Raine, but she always hoped the relationship would run its course so she could step into position by Kasen’s side. Obviously this wasn’t the right time, because he changed the subject like he hadn’t even noticed she was trying to flirt.
    “So, a caramel shake today, huh? You usually order chocolate,” he said.
    “No, not today. I’m in the mood for something a little different. That happens from time to time.”
    Aren’t you ready for something different too, Kasen? Don’t you want to dump that boring chick and sample what I have to offer? she thought, wishing she had the nerve to speak the words out loud.
    Kasen nodded. “I get it. In fact, I’m making some changes in my life too,” he said.
    “What do you mean?” she asked, totally unprepared for what she was about to hear.
    “Well,” he started, slipping into his tailored jacket, “my talk with Mr. Jones really put some things in perspective for me this morning. I’ve been thinking for a while about taking my relationship with Raine to the next level, and, well, today’s the day.”
    She looked at him with a puzzled expression. Something inside her knew where this was going, but she didn’t want to believe it could be true. “Huh?” she said, unable to form a sentence at the moment.
    “I’m going to propose,” he said happily.
    The words were like a punch to Voncile’s gut. Her legs suddenly felt like they were made of jelly, and her heart took off like an out of control racehorse. She struggled to keep her composure.
    “Voncile, are you okay?” he asked when he noticed the odd expression on her face.
    She tried to straighten her face to look more neutral. “Oh, yeah,” she said, trying to sound calm. “My blood sugar is probably a little low or something. I guess I shouldn’t have skipped breakfast.”
    He frowned at her excuse. He had been a therapist long enough to know when someone was avoiding the truth. “Blood sugar, huh? Why don’t you have a seat for a minute,” he suggested.
    She inched backward and slumped into the chair where his patients usually sat. Kasen leaned against his desk.
    “What’s really going on?” he asked.
    “Um, I don’t know,” she answered. “I’m just surprised. I mean, I didn’t think your relationship was that serious. You barely talk about her, and when she comes here to visit, it looks like the two of you barely click. Are you sure you’re ready to tie the knot? As a friend, I think you really need to think this through more carefully.”
    Kasen was a little taken aback by her assessment of his relationship. “We don’t click?” He shook his head. “I disagree. I don’t like to put my personal life on display in the office, so maybe it appears like we don’t click, but trust me, Raine and I have been together