Until Autumn - Sheridan Anne Page 0,18

when you want something.”

The woman sucks in a breath, and as I glance at the other men in the bar, I see the amused smirks on their faces. There’s nothing quite like putting someone in their place when they’re talking shit, especially when it’s shit about someone who can’t be there to defend themselves.

Just when I think that the woman has finally been shut down, she lets out another howling laugh. “Holy shit, you’re completely right. I can be like that.”

“I know,” the man says. “But that’s really beside the point. You have a job that doesn’t allow for errors, and unfortunately, arrogant assholes are just part of the territory.”

“Tell me about it,” she grumbles. “I thought he was alright at first until I realized that I was just an idiot, but I’m not going to lie, he’s certainly very pretty to look at. You should have seen him. He seriously looks like my next big mistake.”

“Nope, don’t even think about it,” the guy says with an amused chuckle. “That’s just the wine talking. How many of those have you had? Maybe you’ve already forgotten that I just booted one asshole out of your apartment. If I have to keep doing it, I’m going to have to start charging.”

“Ugh,” she groans. “Don’t remind me. Brandon was a special brand of asshole, but this guy, he’s a real dick. Dr. Dick.”

Doctor?

My brow raises and I listen a little harder. Maybe this is a little more interesting than I’d given her credit for. I always love a bit of hospital gossip. I rarely get to hear it, none of the doctors do. Usually, it’s the nurses or midwives gossiping about us while we’re too busy saving lives. Though, the only question is, who is this Dr. Dick? This bar is directly between two of the larger hospitals in Nashville, but I’m sure with just a little bit more information, I could figure it out.

I nod to the bartender and he instantly starts filling me another as I settle in for storytime.

“Don’t tell me you’re calling him that,” the guy says in disgust.

I can almost picture the woman shrugging her shoulders. “Call ‘em like I see ‘em, Breaker,” the woman says with another laugh followed by the sound of her hand slapping down on the table. She obviously finds herself funnier than the rest of the audience. “Besides, he totally earned it. I delivered my first freaking baby on the first day of my training program—while in the middle of a power outage. My first freaking day.” My eyes bug out of my head. It couldn’t be her. There’s no way ... “Did I mention that we were trapped in an elevator, and the only light I had was the flashlights on all of our phones? It was insane. I mean, I get it, he’s the woman’s cousin, or maybe it was the husband’s cousin. I forgot, but you know what I won’t forget? The fucking four folders of policies and procedures he forced me to spend my day reading when I should have been celebrating how freaking awesome I am.”

Holy shit. It is her, and I’m Dr. Dick.

Now, why the hell do I like that so much?

The bartender delivers me another beer, and as he hands it over, I rise from my chair, unable to resist. After all, if someone is going to talk about me to the whole bar, then I should have the right to sit front and center while she does.

I turn around and follow the sound of her voice, somehow finding it a shitload less obnoxious and a little more endearing now that I know it’s hers. I find her familiar mop of brunette hair in the corner of the bar and raise a brow at the company she’s keeping.

There’s an older gentleman who looks as though he steals candy from children all day long. There’s something kind in his eyes that has me oddly at ease with the thought of Autumn spending time with him, not that I should ever get a say in the company she keeps. That’s none of my damn business.

Autumn’s back is to me, and I grin, loving that I’ll be able to get the drop on her.

I get a few feet away when the scary-looking dude glances up from Autumn’s beautiful face and sees me coming. He keeps his eyes on me, realizing that I’m not just passing by, but somehow does it discreetly as to not alarm Autumn that a random