“Do they need something from me? Annie can send me a text, and I’d be happy to help if I can.”
A corner of Blake’s mouth lifted. “Actually, the favor is for me. Because of my schedule, I can’t get to the Baby Sign classes, but I’d still love to learn some ASL. That’s what deaf people use to sign, right?”
“Yes, American Sign Language. It’s a language all on its own as it doesn’t follow the same grammar rules as English. Some people use Signed English, which is exact, word-for-word signing. But it’s kind of tedious, since you need to sign or fingerspell every single little word.”
“I was wondering if you’d have any time to teach me.”
“Teach you ASL?”
“Yeah, I know it’s a hassle, and I’m not sure how much time you have free—”
“I’m currently taking a class for my master’s degree in Hospital Administration, though they’re online classes and I can do my work whenever. I’d need time for that.” But being with Blake…
Those dimples appeared when he smiled. “We don’t need to spend tons of time. Just enough to get me started. We could meet during lunch if we happen to have the same lunch break. Or a quick dinner after work, if we don’t have anything else going on.”
He wanted to spend his lunch with her? And dinner? Because of the ASL, though, not any other reason.
“I could even help you with your class work if you need it. I know a bit about hospitals.”
Probably not as much about administration as he thought, if her interactions with other doctors was anything to go by. Still, she’d humor him if it meant spending more time together.
“Sure. Just let me know when you want to start.”
“What are you doing tonight?” His eyes twinkled then dimmed. “Stupid question. I forgot it’s Friday. My schedule is so crazy I don’t always know what day it is. You’ve probably got plans to go out.”
“You want to start tonight?” It wasn’t as if she had plans, other than curling up with a good book or binge watching something on Netflix. She’d never admit that. Too pathetic.
“We could grab a sandwich around the corner at that soup and sandwich place. My treat. And you’d still have time to go out later.”
“You don’t have to pay for my supper.”
“If you’re doing me a favor, then it’s only right. Did your plans include dinner?”
“No, no big plans tonight. I should text Mercedes to let her know I’ll be a bit late. She’ll make supper if she gets home earlier than me, which she usually does.”
“Where does she work?’
“The library at Tufts. Bookworm. It’s pretty close, so she typically beats me home.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
As she pulled her phone out to let Mercedes know, he pulled out his and sent a quick text as well. Some special girl at home waiting for him? Not that it was any of her business.
They exited the hospital together, and she tugged her collar closer around her neck as the wind blew past them. Blake only wore his suit jacket. How was he not freezing? When they got inside, there was a short line for a table, and she sighed. He simply took her elbow and navigated them around the waiting crowd.
“Blake, good to see you. Got your table all ready,” the host greeted them.
“Had you planned to eat here anyway, or did you assume I’d say yes?” she asked as they followed the man to a quiet corner table that, luckily, had good lighting.
“Thanks. Carli, this is Aaron. We went to high school together,” he explained to her as Aaron handed them the menus he’d brought with him.
“Nice to meet you, Carli. I’ll send someone over right away.”
As the man walked away, Blake pulled out her chair. “I texted him before we left so we didn’t have to wait.”
It had only taken them ten minutes to get here. She hoped he hadn’t kicked someone else out of this table for them. “Must be nice to have clout.”
Rubbing his hands together—maybe he had been cold—he picked up the menus and handed her one. “They have over half a dozen soups each day and freshly made sandwiches heaped with whatever you want on them. Or you can get half a sandwich with a cup of soup.”
