Just as he was getting out of the car, Natalie’s Chevy pulled in behind him. He stood outside, waiting for her to get out because he really didn’t want to invite her inside. Though he would if he had to to be polite. She’d helped him a lot in the first week home, bringing him dinners and such. He didn’t feel like he owed her anything, but he could be a better friend. Since Blake and Dustin had hurried home to be with their girls, Juan invited him over, but he didn’t feel like gaming in Juan’s media room tonight. His hands kept twitching. He’d hoped to go for an evening hike and get some pent-up energy out.
He put on his interview smile for Natalie. “I haven’t seen you for a while.”
She grinned, flipping her glossy hair over her shoulder. She seemed pleased that he’d noticed she was gone. Shoot. He didn’t mean it that way. “I’ve been filling in for a friend at work who had a baby.” She glanced down at the car and then looked up at him shyly. “Have you had dinner yet?”
“No.” He ran his hand through his hair. He wasn’t really hungry.
“Me neither.”
He stared at her. “Do you have plans?”
“I was thinking of going to that new steak house, but I don’t want to go alone. I feel like a loser sitting at a table by myself.”
“I hear that.” He hated sitting alone in public, always feeling like he had to excuse himself for taking up a table or blurt out things like “I have a girlfriend” to prove he wasn’t a loser. “I’ll go. I went with my dad the other night. They have decent food.” Yeah, he could use some time out too. Away from home, where the ghost of his girlfriend greeted him when he walked through the door. If he happened to get past her, his dad was happy to point out that Tilly was just a few doors down and an apology away. Although he was beginning to wonder if she was that close. He didn’t think anI’m sorrywould be enough to bring her back into his arms.
She motioned to her car. “I’ll drive.”
This all felt weird. Like he was three steps behind the social cues and wearing the wrong size jersey. “Yeah. Okay.” Her car was low to the ground and he had to adjust the seat to fit. Once he was settled, they headed over to the restaurant.
They were seated as soon as they arrived and ordered quickly, both getting steaks. Tilly would have tried something new, and he would have ended up eating half of her meal. She had a gift for finding enticing flavors. He usually ended up ordering that item the next time they visited the restaurant, and the cycle continued. When the server placed a steak in front of him, his taste buds sighed heavily.
He cut a bite and glanced across the table. Natalie was staring at her plate, her head bent. He wasn’t being a gracious dinner companion. The thing was, he didn’t ever have to try with Tilly. From their first date, they’d had a hundred and ten conversations going on and could jump from one to another seamlessly. Like right now, if he said “fried chicken,” she’d smile up at him and ask if he wanted coleslaw with that. Then they’d laugh, because she knew he hated coleslaw. No one would think that was funny but the two of them.
Or, they could eat in silence for a while—comfortable enough not tohaveto talk.
Natalie wasn’t like that. He could see the color on her cheeks and the furtive looks at the people around them.
“So, you’re a nurse.” He threw another bite in his mouth to keep himself from saying something else that sounded stupid.
She bounced up in her seat. “Yep.” When he didn’t jump right back in, she kept going. “I used to work in pediatrics, but that was too hard on my heart. I would go home crying. My supervisor suggested I move over to the trauma wing.”
He nodded to keep her talking and ate faster. The sooner they were done, the sooner he could get home.
She prattled on for a few more minutes and then asked, “What are you doing now?”
“Coaching,” he choked out. The word was foreign on his lips as an identifier for his life. He took a sip of water and set his cup down. When he did, Natalie’s hand touched his, lightly, hesitantly, as if she was asking permission. He froze.
“Brayden, you’ve been through so much. You’re in a fog right now. I can see it in your eyes. But you’re going to wake up from this, and when you do, I’ll be here.” She smiled. “I’m excited to see you attacking life.”
He pulled his hand away from the glass and hid it under the table. “Thanks. I’m feeling better and getting stronger every day.”
“I can see that.” Her eyes danced over him.
That signal he got. “Listen, Natalie. I hope I haven’t given you the wrong impression. I’m not looking for a girlfriend.”I have one. Had one.
She nodded slowly. “I understand. I’m not looking for a boyfriend either.”
“Oh. Good.” He relaxed. Their server rushed by, carrying a tray full of empty cups. “Can we get our check?”
The guy nodded.
Brayden smiled at Natalie. “I’m beat. You know, still trying to get my energy back.”
“Of course.” She grabbed her purse. “I’m going to run to the restroom, and I’ll be right back.”
That would work. He could get up and wait for the bill up front, pay, and be ready to go as soon as she got back. “Perfect.”
She blinked at him, and he realized that he’d said the wrong thing. Shoot. He wasn’t trying to be a jerk; he just wasn’t interested in her and didn’t want to lead her on. “I’ll get the check.”
