I watch the column of Billie’s throat work as the sonographer wipes away jelly residue, and Billie sits up, legs dangling over the edge as she lowers her sweater and climbs down from the bed.
“Everything is going to be fine,” I quietly whisper.
She just smiles at that. “Do you have time to stick around, or should I get an Uber?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I immediately respond.
Billie winces at me. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention the monitoring part. With my dad and this whole morning, I totally forgot to warn you how long we could be in the hospital for.” She puffs out a frustrated breath. “You probably have way more import?—”
“There’s nothing more important than this, Bill,” I confirm, shaking my head at her slowly before looking back at the monitor. “Do you want the scan images?”
“Oh, we don’t normally offer those for non-routine appointments,” the sonographer explains before Billie can answer me.
I’ve never been gifted at telepathy, but I’m pretty sure the sonographer has no issue reading my mind from the expression I give her.
“Did you want the images?” I repeat my question to the person whom it was originally directed at.
Billie takes her handbag off the back of my chair and hooksit over her shoulder, turning on her heel to look at the sonographer. “How much do they cost?”
She waves a hand at Billie, eyes still fixed on mine. “Nothing at all, Miss Quinn. Let me go and grab them for you now.”
I watch the sonographer leave and close the door behind her and then focus my attention on Billie. “How about after we’re done in the hospital, I take you somewhere for a late lunch?”
I’m ready to shove my fist straight down my throat.
Stop talking, Emmett. Distance, remember? Put distance between you and your friend’s hot-as-fuck daughter.
Billie stays quiet for a second, twisting her full lips in thought.
“Or I can just give you a ride back to your place.” I keep talking, secretly hoping that she’ll take me up on the lunch offer.
“Well, by the time we’re finished up here, I’ll probably be able to manage a steak.”
I balk at her, equally amused and impressed at the way she isn’t afraid to go all in. Especially after the morning she’s had.
“I was thinking more like a burger and fries.”
She sets a sarcastic palm on my shoulder, pink lips curving into a wicked grin that tightens my chest. “When the millionaire hockey player offers to take the poor student out for a meal, she would be foolish to accept anything less than the whole nine yards.”
CHAPTER NINE
BILLIE
When I suggested steak, I figured Emmett would head for a LongHorn or Black Angus Steakhouse.
But after everything came back fine at the hospital, that’s not where we ended up.
“Is it cooked well enough for you?” Emmett points his fork at my plate, bringing my attention back to the table and away from our stunning surroundings.
The Skillet is one of the nicest steakhouses in the whole of Manhattan, the place where my parents celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversary—and Dad still jokes about repaying the loan to cover the bill.
It’s only late lunchtime, but the restaurant windows are covered, creating a private and romantic atmosphere.
Emmett’s handsome face glows in the light cast from the candle in the center of our table.
“This steak is the best I’ve ever had,” I say around a mouthful, and it truly is. I can’t remember the last time I ate this well or even finished a meal.
Emmett sets his fork down and leans forward,bracing his elbows on the table before folding his hands under his chin. He observes me carefully as I pick up a fry and dip it in steak sauce. He looks more relaxed than he has the past couple of times I’ve seen him.
