But Blake wasn’t like that. He’d said it had been a while for him…No, wait. He’d said Priscilla hadn’t been in that same bed. Maybe he was a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy and had only let her stay around because of the blizzard. Now that he’d loved her, it was time to leave her?
She didn’t want to believe it. But if it was true, it stunk big time. They still had to work together. Maybe he figured since they weren’t in the same department, or even on the same floor, he could avoid her. He wasn’t wrong. They’d worked in the same hospital for over a year, and she’d never seen him. She definitely would have remembered.
Was she getting ahead of herself? Blake had been so sweet and had taken his time getting to know her. Could it all have been an act to get her into bed with him?
A tap on her back had her looking around. Priya stood, pointing to her watch.
“It’s past time for you to go. Don’t you have a date tonight with a handsome doctor?”
Carli jerked her head in a quick no. “He canceled. Work stuff.”
“Bummer.” Priya’s mouth twisted to the side. “Want to go out and have dinner with me instead? I’m not as good looking as your pediatrician, but I’ll try and keep up my end of the conversation.”
“Oh, please. You’re gorgeous and you know it. You should be dating him instead of me.”
Her thoughts must have transferred to her face, because Priya frowned. “Something’s not right. Let me get my coat. You can tell me when we have a cocktail in front of us.”
After closing down the program and shutting off her computer, Carli got her coat and purse. They both changed into boots as the snow of last week was still around and had deteriorated into huge piles of slush. They went to a bar and grill around the corner and got a quiet booth in the back.
Once they each had a glass of wine in front of them, Priya waved her hand in a “give me” motion. “Okay, spill. What’s up besides Blake canceling your date?”
“I’m being stupid and feeling sorry for myself. You know, imagining all sorts of terrible things.”
“Like what? Blake breaking up with you? That man adores you, sweetie.”
Another sip of her drink was needed before she answered. “I thought so. Maybe he does. I haven’t seen him since Saturday when he brought me home.”
Priya’s eyebrow rose. “So you stayed at his place until Saturday. That doesn’t sound like a guy who wants to break it off.”
“I know…except…I keep wondering why he’s even seeing me. He could have anyone he wants. What the heck could he want with me? Only one thing comes to mind.”
“Stop it right there, my friend.” Priya patted her hand, her expression fierce. “You’ve got a lot to offer any man. Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got the looks, brains, and personality to attract anyone.”
“Thanks. You’re good for my ego. If only I could believe it.”
The radiologist narrowed her eyes. “Don’t make me slap some sense into you. Now, tell me what you did while you were at his place for those few days.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes to her drink.
“Must have been good.” Priya said once Carli dared meet her eyes again. “You don’t have to give me exact details, though I’d pay big money for them about now. My love life has gone downhill lately.”
Carli filled her friend in on what they’d done: movies, card games, cooking on the grill, Blake getting her some clothes to wear, as well as loaning her some of his. She hinted at the rest, leaving out those exact details Priya wanted.
“That all sounds wonderful. So why are you doubting him now? Because he’s had a busy week?”
Sighing, Carli lifted her glass for another sip. “I know. I need to stop being so sensitive, especially after he told me his old girlfriend broke up with him because he didn’t have the time for her while he was in medical school. I don’t want to be like that.”
“Then, don’t be. Be supportive and show him you’re still interested in being with him. but understand that he has a very important job, and he can’t always be available.”
“You’re right. I’m a jerk.”
Priya frowned. “No, you aren’t. You’re a woman falling in love with a guy. You want to be with him, and you’re disappointed when you can’t see him. That’s all. There’s nothing wrong with being disappointed. I’m guessing that Blake is, too.”
“Maybe I should text him and let him know I’m thinking about him. Is that too forward?”
“After what I assume you did last week, I think it’s perfectly reasonable.”
Taking that as her cue, Carli tapped out a quick text to Blake.
