“Yes, Luke, you’ll see me tonight.”
“Good.” I leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. Hospital corridors weren’t places for making out. On-call rooms and supply closets on the other hand … nope. Nope. Not going there. I’d see her tonight, and if I was lucky, really lucky, I might be able to convince her to let me get to third base. “Can’t wait.”
“Me either,” she replied, her cheeks turning pink, and I would’ve given anything to know what was going on in that big brain of hers.
Letting go of her, I forced myself to walk away. Feeling her eyes watching my every move, I glanced over my shoulder to see Charlotte standing in the middle of the corridor wearing the ugliest apricot-colored scrubs, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, and those sexy as fuck glasses perched on her nose. But it was the cheap plastic crown balanced on her head that had me smiling like a goofball all the way back to the rig.
Fuck I couldn’t wait to see her tonight. I just hoped I’d be seeingallof her.
19
CHARLOTTE
The lookon Luke’s face when I knocked on the door was priceless. When he’d given me the tiara earlier, I don't think he thought for a second I’d take it to the next level.
“What the?”
“Charlotte!” Isla pushed past Luke and threw her arms around me. “You look like Snow White!”
“I am Snow White,” I told her.
After Luke had made his unexpected visit earlier, I’d raided the costume cupboard in my office to see what I stashed that I could wear. It was either Snow White or Cinderella, and I wasn’t convinced I’d be able to drive in a ball gown.
“And I’m here for a tea party,” I announced, adjusting my crown.
“Come on, Charlotte! I want to put on my princess dress too! Can I, Dad? Can I?”
“Go on,” Luke replied, resigned he wasn’t going to win this one.
Isla grabbed my hand and dragged me inside toward her bedroom. After I’d helped her into her pink sparkly princess dress and braided her hair so her crown sat properly, I sat down on the floor and enjoyed a tea party.
Isla was a smart kid. A smart kid that didn’t stop talking. She told me all about school, her teachers, and the kids she played with. She introduced me to each of her dolls and even read me a story. Luke had done an incredible job raising her, and he should be very proud of the young girl she was growing into.
“Excuse me, your highnesses,” he interrupted, grinning like a fool.
“Yes, Dad?”
“Your dinner is served,” he announced with an impressive bow.
“Yay! I’m starving.” Isla might’ve been a smart kid, but she had a fair slice of the dramatic.
Isla bounced to her feet and darted out of the room, leaving the mess behind her. I started picking up abandoned teacups and plates, tossing them back into the bucket she’d tipped them out of when Luke told me to leave it and come eat. Stretching his hand out, he helped me to my feet and kissed me quickly. Stolen kisses were becoming a thing between us, and although I wasn’t complaining, Luke’s kisses shouldn’t be downplayed.
“Snow White, huh,” he commented, leading me down the hall to where Isla was already perched at the table.
“Yeah, I thought she’d appreciate the effort.”
“Well, I certainly do. Although, I do have one question?”
“What’s that?” I asked nervously.
“What other costumes do you just happen to have on hand?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I replied with a wink, dropping into the chair Luke had pulled out for me.
While Luke served, I found myself wondering how he was still single. He was the perfect guy. He was a gentleman—pulling out chairs, opening doors, and making sure he was closest to the road when we walked along the pavement. He loved fiercely. He was loyal. He could cook and clean. But he wasn’t all preppy and clean cut. The moment the bedroom door clicked shut, Luke became demanding, growly, and he knew exactly which buttons to press to make my toes curl.
When we were finished, Luke cleaned up the kitchen while Isla and I tidied her room before we all settled on the couch. Luke and I either side of Isla, her head in my lap and her feet in her father’s. Luke stretched his arm along the back of the couch and toyed with my hair. It was all so easy, so domestic.
