“What exactly is it that you think is going on between me and Jesse?”
My mouth opens and closes. I’d thought a lot about what Jesse said as I drove back to the clinic. I still think he was lying about Noah being his unrequited crush. Who can blame him?
“You clued in yet?” His eyes drop to my lips, then back to my eyes. “Men don’t do it for me, sweetheart.”
“I’m not your sweetheart,” I say automatically. “That is no excuse to talk to him the way you did.”
“Why do you care so much?”
“Because he is a nice guy and you… aren’t.”
“Again, you say I’m the one with no manners.”
Well, this is getting us nowhere. “Okay, fine. I’ll apologize for being rude, so long as you do.”
“You want me to say sorry? For what?”
My lips pinch together. He’s trying to antagonize me. I’m done with that. “Here.” I grab the keys from my purse and thrust them at him.
“Iappreciatethat.” He annunciates the word. Like an ass.
I drop them into his outstretched hand, making sure to avoid touching him. I’ve got a feeling that would be my undoing right now. Not quite sure if it would be in a good or a bad way.
He got close enough to feel the heat coming from his body, smell the clean-soap scent of his skin. I’m really glad I freshened up and changed before heading out. I’m usually in my scrubs after a long, hard day and probably not smelling my best.
Why do I care?
I expect him to thank me or say something. Instead, he looks me up and down again, then turns and goes to the car. What a damn jerk. Seriously. When he gets to the driver’s side he looks at me over the roof of the car.
“Have the day you deserve, sweetheart.”
It’s difficult, but I keep the anger off my face and clench my fist to prevent giving him my middle finger. He doesn’t deserve any kind of reaction. This morning, he could maybe be forgiven for his attitude, I did invite myself into his house without asking. Still rude, but okay I can let that go.
Taking it further when he shows up to collect a car I’ve done them a favor over… Hell no. I wish I was more than Jesse’s nurse right now, because I would tell him to run as far and as fast away from that man as he can.
Fuming both at him and myself for letting him get to me, I stomp to my car and do not watch him driving away.
After a meal, shower and quick change of outfit, I stand in front of the mirror in my childhood bedroom and stare at my reflection. I’ve gone with jeans and a sleeveless black shimmery top. It’s not over the top glamorous but enough to make me feel like I’ve made an effort.
Dana arrives after eight.
“If you ever show up on time, I think I’ll have a coronary.”
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t even know why you’re surprised,” she tugs on my braid. “You look very cute by the way. Are you ready for a fun night?” She links my arm and drags me to the mirror in the hallway, stopping so we’re both facing it, and smiles at me in the reflection.
“I’m ready,” I tell her, when she stares expectantly, waiting for my reply.
“Then let’s go have some fun.” Her smile is genuine, but she can’t hide the concern or sadness behind her eyes.
“We will,” I take her hand and give it a squeeze. “So long as you tell me where we’re going.”
“Oh, well, that is a surprise.”
She drags me to the front door, her eyes pausing on a photograph of me and dad when I was around fifteen. We don’t dwell and head outside where a cab is idling at the sidewalk.
Dana keeps fiddling with her earring, a telltale sign she is excited but nervous. And if she is displaying this side of her, then this is about the guy.
“Who is he?”
