“Did you have fun tonight?” As wrong as it is, I hope the answer is no.
“I didn't go anywhere if that's what you're asking.”
“Did you have people over?” Let’s be honest, that’s not what I’m actually asking.
His low laughter rumbles through the phone. “Allison wasn't here.”
“Am I that transparent?”
“No. I just know you that well.”
Cradling the phone between my ear and my shoulder, I cross my arms in front of myself and try to warm up as much as I can. In my haste to answer Aidan’s call, I left my jacket inside.
“Natalie, I'm not sure what to say.”
“Me either,” I respond, my voice low.
“How about we go see one of those old movies I hate? What’s playing?”
Closing my eyes, I tip my chin up to the sky. Relief trickles down through me at Aidan's invitation of doing something so normal. “I’ll check and let you know.”
“If you don't call me in two days, I'm going to call you back.”
I smile. “You better.”
“Bye, Natalie.”
“Bye, Aidan.”
I look down at my phone and watch it darken. I might be standing out here in the freezing cold, but I'm happier than I’ve been all night. With a stupid grin on my face, I turn and head back to the front door of the bar. And right into the shoulder of a tall guy in a black pea coat.
“Sorry,” I mumble, staggering back a couple feet. I regain my footing and look up to see who I attempted to mow down. The guys face is nearly slack, as if his facial muscles have given up for the night. He looks at me through slitted eyes, and a loose, lazy smile pulls up one side of his mouth.
“Well, hello there,” he says, taking a step toward me.
Automatically I back up, and at the same time two of the people he is with grab onto each of his shoulders.
“Sorry, he’s drunk,” one of his buddies explains, as if it’s not obvious.
My eyes widen when I see who is holding onto the drunk guy’s right shoulder.
“Dr. Decker?”
He squints. “Lollipop?”
“That's not my name.”
He laughs. “I know that, Natalie. Lollipop is how I've been referring to you in my head.”
I stiffen. That means he has been thinking about me. I haven't thought of him at all, not until Savannah brought him up earlier today.
Dr. Decker’s friend sways, causing the men on either side of him to sway also. “Whoa, Brad.”
“Whoa yourself, Dr. Decker,” Brad says, snickering.
Ignoring his friend, Dr. Decker looks at me and says, “We should probably get him home.” Brad starts walking away, taking the two guys with him. Dr. Decker looks back at me and I wave.
“Grady,” he says.
