“I was going to say sexy. I could listen to you sing for hours.”
My face heats. “I’m not going to serenade you, if that’s what you want.” At his chuckle, I continue. “I did think about it. That seemed scarier than anything, though. I could have ended up making a ton of money, or I could have ended up sleeping in my car. I just wanted something dependable.” I laugh. “I went stargazing with some former coworkers recently, though, and I convinced myself I wanted to become an astronomer. I was pretty high on that idea for a few minutes.”
“You can do whatever you want,” he says, “but you’re great at what you do. I meant that.”
I fidget a little, then I sit up so I can pull my clothes back on. He watches me hungrily despite the somber conversation. “I’m glad you came over. I don’t think we can have more than this, even though I really like it. But it’s weirdly healing for me.” A laugh escapes. “Having you want me.”
He swallows. “I do.” His eyes track over me again. “Want you, I mean. And not just because I think you’re hot, even though I do. I can’t believe I never saw how amazing you were.”
I gulp. This is inching toward uncomfortable territory forme, so I toss him his shirt. We need all our clothes on if we’re talking about feelings.
“Well, like I said, this is all we can have,” I tell him.
We’re both standing now. He glances around at my room again, his gaze snagging on some of the pink accents. I know my room is girly, and I like it that way. I almost want him to say something, just so we can do battle again. This new, nice version of our relationship confuses me.
“What now?” he asks when his attention returns to me.
“I’ll see you at work later this week,” I say.
He nods as though he expected that. When I show him to the door, my stomach riots. I’m worried about how this will go if we continue down this road, but I think I can keep my emotions separate from what we’re doing. This was too fun not to have again.
But there’s absolutely no way I can give Grant a chance to worm his way into my heart.
My phone chimes with a text the following afternoon. I’m off today so I’m lounging on my cushy sofa, watching a television show that might be actively making me dumber.
Grant
You want to keep me company before I’m on call?
I smile despite my best efforts not to.
Me
Is this a date?
Grant
Only if you want it to be.
Me
Smooth, Wyndham. Smooth.
I deliberate. Do I want to spend even more time with this man? Really, what’s the harm? We can’t get up to any shenanigans if he has to be on call in an hour.
Me
Okay, sure. Where to?
Grant
How about that coffee shop down the street from the hospital? The Java House.
Me
Ooh, the one with the bookstore attached? I’ll be there.
I start for the coffee shop before I can change my mind. I’m not doing anything today, anyway, and I like this spirited little fling we’ve got going on. It lights me up inside.
