“Okay, I’ll see you here once I get off.” Why did she get the impression he didn’t want to hang out too long?
“Great.” Nodding stiffly, he shuffled away, his hand threading through his hair like he did when something was bothering him. Was it a patient or what he wanted to talk to her about?
What did they have to talk about? That he’d canceled their date? That she wasn’t good enough for him? Not rich enough or smart enough or pretty enough? Without a doubt, she didn’t have the right clothes to be seen in his company. His parents’ Christmas party had shown her that in spades.
The rest of the afternoon dragged by, and her insides felt hollow by the end of the day. In her mind, she’d come up with every scenario that could possibly happen with Blake. The best one being him proposing and whisking her off to Paris to elope. Hey, if you were going to dream, dream big. Unfortunately, she figured it was more likely he was going to tell her he didn’t want to see her anymore. He’d be too polite to tell her it was because she was poor or deaf or lacking in some other way. He’d use an excuse that he was too busy with his career and his patients. It would be honest to a degree.
Her hands shook as she closed down her computer and checked her phone one last time, in case Blake needed to cancel their meeting. And why was that okay with her this time? Because then she could pretend they were still happy and together and all would be great. Not that they’d been together all that long. Not officially.
When she couldn’t put it off any longer, she picked up her coat, draped it over her arm, and headed to the caf. Blake was already there, installed at the table she’d had lunch at. Had he chosen that spot because it was in a secluded corner? So he could break her heart without anyone overhearing? At least he was sensitive that way.
Two cups sat on the table, and Blake had his hands curled around one. As he took a sip, he noticed her approaching and stood, waving at the seat across from him.
“Thanks for meeting me here, Carli. I got you a tea. Figured you didn’t need caffeine at this time of day. Or do you want a coffee?” His gaze floated around the room, then landed on her. Nervous?
“Tea is fine, thanks.” Placing her purse and coat on the seat next to her, she settled into the chair and added, “What do I owe you?” If he was ending things before they’d barely started, then she couldn’t let him pay.
Waving her off, he took another sip of his drink. Hers remained between her hands, untouched.
“I…uh, wanted to make sure things were okay between us. I know I blew you off New Year’s Eve, but I don’t want you to be mad. Even though you have a right.”
Was this his way of saying they could still be friends? Seriously, she hated that old adage.
“I’m not upset about that.” She might be upset about something soon enough, depending on what he wanted to say. “You’re a doctor and need to be there for your patients. I respect that and respect you for being there for them.”
“Thank you, Carli. I…uh, wanted to talk to you about us, because I know I’ve been unfair to you.”
Us. Crap. He was about to say there would no longer be an us. The last thing she wanted to hear. If she took out her CIs, maybe she could pretend she didn’t.
Blake reached out and took her hand, squeezing it like he’d done when they were still non-kissing friends. Double crap.
“I have a confession. I wasn’t actually planning on a relationship at this time. My job and career are important to me. I spent so long in medical school I don’t want to screw it up.”
And spending time with her had done exactly that. That dark place inside her got bigger and wider like a black hole. She was about to get sucked in and disappear, ripped into little shreds.
“I understand. Your patients need to come first, Blake. It’s okay.” It wasn’t really, because she had tears that were forcing their way into her eyes, and she needed to get out of here before they showed up.
Pulling her hand away, she started to stand, but Blake pulled her back. “I’m not saying this very well. Sorry. Haven’t gotten much sleep in the last three days, and it’s starting to show.”
“You should go home and get some sleep then.” She’d go home and cry.
Blake took a deep breath and then a long drink of his coffee, all without letting go of her hand.
“What I’m trying to say, Carli, is that since meeting you, I don’t want to put anything on hold any longer.”
Wait, what? Exactly what did that mean? It didn’t sound like a blow off.
Reaching over, he took both hands in his. “We haven’t discussed this, but I thought it was time. What I really want is for us to be a couple. No other boyfriends or girlfriends, just you and me. Do you understand?”
Had she heard him right? It couldn’t be. “You want us to be exclusive. Date only each other?”
He nodded, his gaze never leaving her face, his hands still clasping hers tightly.
“Really? You could have any woman you want.”
He laughed and actually smiled. “I’m glad you think I’m such a catch.”
Was he serious? “Um, you are. Rich, gorgeous, dimples that make women lose their breath, and you’re a doctor.”
