8
LUKE
“You looklike the cat that got the cream,” Mrs. Neal commented as I emptied my pockets onto the kitchen counter.
“I don't know what you’re talking about,” I deflected. “How’s my princess?”
“She’s good. We had mashed potatoes for dinner and then she read two books and crashed early.”
“I’m not surprised. It was sports day at school today so she was probably worn out,” I explained, remembering how excited she’d been all week getting ready.
“I’ll let her tell you all about it, but just make sure you set aside half an hour for that conversation. Your girl can talk.” Mrs. Neal smiled as she packed away her knitting and got ready to go home.
“Yes, she can.”
“Yet her father is tight-lipped.”
The confused look on my face must’ve encouraged her to continue. “Who’s the girl?”
“What girl?” Now it wasn’t just a confused look. I was confused.
“The girl that’s got you all twisted up.”
“There is no girl …”
“I’ll let you keep your secrets, Luke, for now, but you and I both know there’s someone who’s had you distracted for the past couple of weeks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She collected her things, pressed a soft kiss against my cheek, surrounding me in her familiar baby powder smell, before ducking out the door.
After whipping up a quick dinner of bacon and eggs, I popped the cap on a beer and collapsed onto the couch. Mrs. Neal wasn’t wrong. There was someone who had me distracted and twisted up, but she was no girl. Charlotte was a lot of things, intriguing being the first thing that came to mind, but I’d never call her a girl.
At night, too many nights, when the house was quiet and I was lying in bed alone in the dark, waiting for sleep to take me under, Charlotte sprang to mind. I don't know what it was about the dark-haired beauty that had me tangled up but I couldn’t shake it.
Last week, when we’d been called to help an old lady who’d fallen and broken her hip, the moment I heard her name I froze, and this time, Franklin didn’t let me brush it aside, even volunteering to babysit Isla so I could ask the sexy doctor out.
When we’d ended up back at the children’s hospital yesterday, I couldn’t help but keep looking over my shoulder watching for her, a fact that only encouraged Franklin’s ribbing.
Thankfully, he’d managed to keep his big mouth shut while we were inside, but the moment we were back in the ambulance, the gloves were off.
“Stop being a pussy! Ask her out already.”
“No.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Doesn’t matter,” I deflected. Franklin wouldn’t understand. Hell, I didn’t understand it myself most of the time, but it was what it was.
“Bullshit. You do know you’re allowed to date, don’t you?”
“Of course I do!” This wasn’t a conversation I wanted to be having with anyone right now, especially not Franklin.
“You might know it, but you’re not living it. I know your life’s complicated, but do you think Isla doesn’t want to see you happy?”
“I am happy!” I countered, instantly questioning just how true that was. I was happy, I mean there was definitely room for improvement, but I was doing okay. I was doing my best and for now, it’d have to be enough. I could date when Isla moved out.
“Bullshit!”
“Fuck you.”
