The Doctor's Private Visit by Altonya Washington Page B

you should know before…” She watched him blink incessantly. “It’s not contagious.”
    Capri’s attempt to lighten the mood didn’t work. Tiberius was a picture of disbelief as his stare raked her face and body.
    “You know, you are a doctor. You could see for yourself.” Capri tried again to dispel the sudden tension between them.
    Tiberius rolled his eyes. “Not funny.”
    Slowly, she pulled the bodice of her dress up. “I just thought you should know before we…”
    He stood then with her in his arms and waited for her to slide down the length of his body. Capri watched as he awkwardly began to pat his pockets before extracting his keys.
    “You’re leaving?” she blurted.
    “I…um…I should go find Droop.” He gave her arm a quick squeeze, followed by an even quicker peck on the cheek and then he was gone.
     
    Capri was greeted by a sloppy kiss when she opened her front door to get the paper the next morning.
    “Where were you? Out all night without even a phone call,” she admonished in a playful voice as Lewey simply nuzzled his massive head beneath her chin. She couldn’t help but laugh, though her ease faded when she noticed Tiberius in his driveway. Her heart lifted when she saw him cross into her yard.
    “Good morning.”
    “Hey.” She stood watching Lewey race over to greet Tiberius.
    “Capri, um, about last night. I’m sorry—”
    “I shouldn’t have told you.”
    “No, you should have.” He weighed a set of keys against his palm and then slipped them into his trouser pocket. He shifted awkwardly.
    “You’re thinking differently about me now.”
    “It was just a surprise, Capri, that’s all.”
    She tugged at the flowing cuffs of her gold chiffon robe. “You’re having second thoughts now, though…about us being friends.”
    “Why would you think that?” His heart melted and inwardly he was wondering if he’d ever really wanted to be her friend. Still, he regretted that he’d given her that impression because of his own hang-ups.
    Capri pressed her lips together and looked everywhere except his face. Tiberius had closed the distance between them and was cupping her chin. He kissed her forehead and then brushed his lips across her temple.
    “How about we take the dogs somewhere this weekend?” he suggested, in hopes of putting a smile on her face. “We can make a real day out of it. Do you like to fish?”
    The light reappeared in Capri’s dark eyes. “I love it.”
    Tiberius shook his head. “Why am I not surprised? Saturday then? I’ll pick you up at seven and we’ll have breakfast somewhere first.”
    She nodded. “Okay.”
    Satisfied, Tiberius turned to snap his fingers at Lewey. “All right, playa!” he called and urged the dog inside the house with Capri before he left for work.

Chapter 9
    A rriving at her office late the following Monday morning, Capri found a small white envelope lying on her desk. It was an invitation from Rod to attend the engagement party for him and Kiva. Of course, it came with specific instructions not to inform Kiva of the event.
    “Oh well, at least someone’s living the fantasy.” Capri sighed, reading the invitation again. Gradually, her thoughts returned to the weekend spent with Tiberius and the dogs. Though they’d originally planned it as a one-day event, they had decided to make it a big production, and it had been fantastic.
    Tiberius had arranged the weekend at a resort owned by a former patient. The place was a dazzling oasis hidden on a quiet stretch of beach far away from the energy of the city, and it seemed perfectly hidden from all outsiders. In spite of the clear attraction between Capri and Tiberius, they’d managed to enjoy a very platonic time, most of it spent enjoying the serene ocean views, food that was to die for, and walks along the remote beach. Conversation was plentiful and consisted of thoughts on careers and friends. Then there was the fishing. Marvelous fishing.
    Clearly they’d both made