It took her a minute to swallow it, then she took a sip of coffee and wiped her mouth. “I can’t believe I just did that. I’m such a lady,” she joked.
“It’s nice to see a woman who isn’t self-conscious about eating.”
“I try to eat healthy, but I have a sweet tooth.”
“Me too. It comes with the job that I have to eat right so I’m at my peak performance, but there’s nothing I love more than chocolate cake.” He eyed the plate of mini treats. “And these things are so tiny, I can have two.” He ate one and reveled in the decadence. Then immediately popped another one in his mouth.
She let out a small laugh, then ate another cupcake.
“I had practice yesterday, like I said,” he told her. “I did great. My leg and knee were solid.”
“That’s exactly what I like to hear. When’s your first game?” she asked.
“I leave for New Hampshire tomorrow. I’ll be gone three days.” He leaned forward, with his elbows on the table and rested his hand on her arm. Screw their conversation about waiting and taking this slowly. He wanted to move forward. “When I get back. I want to take you out to dinner. Or to a movie. Or to see a band. Or to a museum. Whatever it is you like to do, I’ll do it.”
“A museum?” she inquired, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah. Sophisticated people like you go to museums. I’ve even been known to visit a museum or two myself.”
“Really? A football jock who likes museums? You’re so open-minded.”
“I try to broaden my intellect to things other than sports.” He enjoyed the playful conversation, but it was drifting, so he brought it back to the point. “Can I take you out when I get back?”
“I thought we agreed not to rush into anything?”
“I know.” He threw his arms up in frustration and smacked his thighs. “I like you a lot, Amber. Can’t we just spend time together? Like we are now? We don’t have to move forward to something more until you’re ready. We can go at your pace. I’ll let you take the lead.”
She stared at him and slowly let out a breath, but he could see her resolve weakening.
“Let’s just go to dinner,” he pleaded.
“I don’t know, Robert.”
“It’s just dinner.”
She let out another breath. “I have to admit, you make it very hard to say no.”
“Then say yes.”
The corners of her mouth curled slightly. “I don’t know if I have time.” She started scrolling through her phone. “My calendar is quite full.”
“Let me see that.” He held out his hand, determined to squeeze something into her calendar.
“You don’t believe me?”
He snatched the phone, and she laughed in surprise. He expected to see back-to-back appointments, but other than a few notations about errands, like picking up her dry cleaning and a yoga class, her calendar was practically empty. He scrolled to the week he returned from New Hampshire, found a day they both would be free, blocked off 7:00 p.m. to midnight, and handed her back her phone.
She looked down at the entry and let out a short laugh. “Date with hot football jock? I don’t think so.” She backspaced over it and typed on her phone. “Catch up with former patient RB.”
“RB? Is that my code name in case other hot jocks try to squeeze dates into your appointment calendar?”
“Yes. I’m very incognito.” She flipped her hair back. “Can’t you tell?”
“Nope.” He stared straight at her. “I see right through your façade.”
Her face turned serious. “What are you talking about?”
“You can’t fool me. You say you don’t date your patients or athletes—”
