Unexpected Inheritance

3

"I haven't"

"You stand around in the rain in a raincoat with the hood up. And let me tell you, there is nothing manly about a hood and a soggy slab of beef."

Suddenly all the take of masculinity and slabs of beef and Callie's voice in her head were too much. Her words came tumbling out "Uh, okay. Look, here's the thing ... I don't do things because there's a timeline. I don't do things because it's the third anything. I may have been out of the dating game for a while, but I don't play by anyone's rules other than my own. So whatever expectations you walked into this evening with— "

He interrupted her "Doc. Are... are you lecturing me?"

"...No," she said, feeling slightly ridiculous now.

"No, you are" He slightly chuckled "City girl is lecturing me. You know, I think because most people are scared of you, so nobody's willing to interrupt you Once you get on a roll, but, uh, I'm not scared of you. So the lecture thing is not gonna work. We're gonna have to have a conversation. Don't worry. Just ask me a question, and then I'll answer it, and then you get another turn. Go ahead."

" Are you under the impression that we're going to hɑvе sеx tonight? Because if that's the case, I..."

"Doc. Ask the question. Don't answer the question. I'll answer the question. And, uh, no, I'm not assuming that we'll hɑvе sеx tonight. You're a grown woman. Neither of us, I believe, is looking for something trashy. So I kinda thought, third date was a little early. What do you think?"

"Me, too. Can I make a statement or just questions?"

"A statement is fine."

"I ... Uh, have never had sеx with anyone other than my husband ... Former husband."

"So it's not something you get into lightly."

"No."

"Neither do I. What else?"

"When do you think is the right time?

"I don't know. I like to think we'll know it when we see it. Probably somewhere between date eight and date twelve, though."

"Oh, no concern we'll end up just friends?"

"That what you're looking for?"

"No."

His smirk softened into something more sincere. "Good. 'Cause I don't wanna just be your friend either." He stepped closer, his voice quieter but firm. "Got enough friends, Doc."

She felt her breath hitch slightly. He was standing close now, the warmth of him reaching her before he even touched her.

And then, just like that, his lips were on hers.

Soft, but certain. Steady. No rush, no hesitation—just intent.

Miranda felt herself melt into it before she even realized she had moved. Her hands found his chest, the steady rise and fall beneath her palms. His hand skimmed her waist, not pulling, just there, like he was giving her the choice.

When they finally parted, she looked up at him, catching the way his lips curved, satisfied but patient.

"Dinner's gonna burn," he murmured.

Miranda swallowed, then smirked. "Then you better get back to it."

He chuckled, gave her one last lingering look, then turned back to the stove.

A few months had passed since that first kiss, and Miranda and Ben had managed to build a quiet rhythm in their relationship. Their time together was a delicate balance, a mix of shared moments at the practice, easy dates, and the occasional evening at his cabin.