“It’s like nothing is working,” she mutters, throwing up her hands. “Maybe I should take the stairs and?—”
The elevator doors slide open with a soft creak and we step inside.
“That doesn’t sound reassuring,” she says under her breath. “Just my luck. Par for the course, I guess.”
“Rough day?” I ask gently.
She rolls her eyes. “Rough year.”
“Ouch.”
“You’d think I was fifteen, trying to get my license before I’m ready. Jesus. I’m twenty-three years old. There is no reason I shouldn’t learn to drive.Right?!” She glares at me like I’m the one keeping her from achieving her goals.
“You should,” I agree patiently, trying to hide my amusement.
She’s adorable.
Not my typical type, but really cute with a touch of sass, which is something I like.
Especially when she’s all fired up like she is now. Her cheeks are flushed, eyes sparking with irritation, chest heaving. Her very ample chest, I might add. Though I force my eyes away from there and up to hers when I realize she’s watching me watch her.
Her entire demeanor suddenly changes.
“I’m so sorry. I don’t even know you. I apologize for snapping like that. It’s been a long couple of weeks moving, getting settled, and dealing with a million things. None of which areyourfault.”
Damn, she’s really adorable, with those striking eyes and bow-shaped upper lip.
If I had the opportunity to kiss her?—
Oh, knock it off, Michener. You’re not going to pick up a girl in the elevator at the DDS.
Mind out of the gutter, buddy.
You’re not on the prowl at the DDS.
That’s not really a rule, though, is it?
“I just moved here this week,” I say, forcing a shift in my thoughts, before I say something I shouldn’t. “Believe me, I get it. And sometimes it’s just easier to snap at a stranger.”
She smiles back, dipping her head just a little, like she’s suddenly shy. “Yes, maybe, but it’s impolite.”
I wink. “Don’t worry about it. We’re all impolite now and again.”
She sighs again. “My dad still treats me like I’m a teenager. I don’t know why he doesn’t want me to get my license. I mean, we just moved here. Where does he think I’m going to go?”
I wince, recalling my recent behavior with my younger sister. Who’s only a year older than this woman. I cringe every time I think about how I treated her up until a month or so ago. When she finally put her foot down and gave me an ultimatum.
“I think parents sometimes get overzealous in how much they want to protect the people they love,” I say softly. “It probably isn’t intentional.”
She wrinkles her nose. “There’s overprotective—and then there’s my dad. Trust me, those two things are miles apart and it’s absolutely intentional. Unfortunately, until I finish my master’s, I’m stuck living at home and dealing with it.”
“How much longer do you have?” I ask.
“I just started my final year. And I can’t wait to be done. I don’t care if I have to work at McDonald’s and live with ten roommates—I’m moving out the second I have my degree.”
“My sister felt the same way,” I admit quietly. “She couldn’t wait to get away from home.”
She cocks her head. “How come?”
