“Rose, did that kiss make you wet?” I smiled, amused at having to repeat the words.
She looked even more flushed, but not uncomfortable. “Yes. I’ll need to use the bathroom before my next appointment.”
“To do what?”
Her lips curved up in a smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Rosie.” My tone was low, needy.
She shook her head. “Two can play at this game.”
I gave a nod. “You still think we’ll be incompatible?”
“Not at all.” She gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you later. You can sort me a drink then.”
I was at the Working Men’s Club before Rose, getting there with two of the other surgeons I’d known for a few years, all of us training at a similar time. Dave and Stew were both in long term relationships, Dave on the exit of his while Stew had his first baby on the way. It wasn’t exactly a glamorous night out, although we’d been told the club had been decked out like a Las Vegas casino, which meant a quick pint in the nearby pub had been a pre-requisite to help us brace ourselves.
I’d said no to the whisky chaser, not wanting to be in a state where I missed any of Rose’s tells.
“So you’re finally making a play for her? ‘Bout time.” Stew said. I’d given them a brief outline of what was happening, including the wedding to Laurie. They’d both agreed to come to the ceremony as I needed a couple of people there. Fallon was also attending, and that would be enough people.
“Yep. If she doesn’t start to panic.” I knew Rose and panic would be one phase of everything, until she put her therapist’s hat on and worked with herself.
Stew nodded. “I’m only surprised it’s taken this long. I mean, she’s hardly unattractive. I always thought you’d have gotten together before you went to New York.”
“Really?” I frowned. “Why?”
“The way you looked at each other and how you used to head off into dark corners to talk. I didn’t think you were actually talking and I was hoping for your sake it was more than that because she cock-blocked you plenty of times.” He shrugged, as if everyone had known this.
“We were talking.” But maybe not tonight.
I was restless, thinking about Rose, wishing I didn’t need to go through with the wedding to Laurie. I wanted to do something that would tell her I thought of her as mine.
If she wanted it.
She came through the doors with Fallon, dressed in tight dark blue jeans that made her legs look like they went on forever, a floaty white top that clung to the swell of her breasts, her hair wild around her shoulders. She was laughing and looking around the room, her eyes landing on me and her body language changed immediately, her self-awareness increasing.
Fallon elbowed her, looking at me too, and said something that made Rose laugh. I caught Rose’s eyes, the crowd of people in the room growing as more finished their shifts.
“Come over here,” I mouthed, wondering how she’d respond.
She shook her head, following Fallon to the bar, so I left Stew and Dave and headed to her.
Fallon was already talking to a new surgeon from the cardiology ward, and I wondered if she’d made the appointment she’d promised.
“She’s dumped me already.” Rose looked at me and shook her head. “She wasn’t going to come because some bloke she’s been seeing was in town, but for some reason she changed her mind.”
“It’s Fallon. Unpredictable.” I put my hand on her back as I leaned down to kiss her cheek. “What drink do you want?”
She smiled, trying not to laugh. “Guess.”
“Rum and coke.” It’d been her choice of drink when she was eighteen.
“Go for it. Thank you.”
I ordered two from the bartender who didn’t look old enough to be serving alcohol, and passed one to her. “How did the rest of your shift go?”
“Well. Nothing difficult today. How was yours?”
