Before I can exit the front desk area, she asks the burning question, “Who?”
I pause and realize I’m smiling. “A friend.”
“A guy friend, I’m sure,” she replies with a wink. “He did good, whoever he is. No man has ever sent me my favorite coffee.”
I just smile and return to the nurses’ station, my heart thundering in my chest. By the time I reach the little area Allison and I work from, she’s there, having completed the blood draw. “Oh, look at you, running down to the coffee shop.”
“Uhh, no, it was delivered.”
Allison stops and looks up at me. “They delivered it? I guess I didn’t realize they did that, and I’ve been a customer since she opened.”
I shrug and set it down at my station. I take the paper covering the end of the straw off and sip the cold, icy drink. The vanilla and caramel flavors hit my tongue, and I instantly feel better.
“Wait a minute. Oaklee, do they deliver?” Allison asks, watching me intently. There’s no missing the gleam in her eye.
I sigh and scoot closer in my chair so no one can hear. “It was sent to me…from Cade.”
She gasps. “I knew it!”
“How?”
“Because I know Catie doesn’t deliver,” she points out. “Not unless you make a special request. So, was there a note?”
“Just a message to tell me good morning and I have his number.”
She grins. “You should use it.”
I open my mouth, prepared to tell her I almost did, but close it just as quickly. I’m still a little torn about what to do where Cade is concerned. After all, I did just break up with a long-term boyfriend. It’s been less than a week, hardly long enough to entertain the idea of seeing someone new. But then again, Cade has pretty much confessed he’s not that type of guy anyway. He doesn’t date. If I were to text him, there’s only one direction it would go, and that’s strictly physical.
Yet, that thought is…appealing.
Probably because it’s been a while since I actually had sex. Lance was always busy, at least for me. Proof that he was getting it elsewhere answered the door last Friday night, right? So, why not entertain the idea of having a little fun with Cade? One, he’s good-looking. Like really, really good-looking. Two, he’s let me know he’s very much available. And three, it’s just sex. No emotions. No strings.
For the first time, I want to do something for myself.
That might be selfish, but it’s true.
The last time I put myself first was when I went to nursing school.
I pull out my cell phone and tap the texting app.
“Yeah, girl,” Allison murmurs with a giggle before returning her attention to her computer screen.
Taking a deep breath, I type my message.
Me
Thank you for the iced coffee and muffin. It was a thoughtful and welcome surprise.
He doesn’t reply, but that’s okay. I know he’s busy at work. He talked a little about what he does, and I know it’s both dangerous and time-consuming on the interstate, where he’s working. His job on the paver requires complete attention, and he doesn’t take phone calls or check his phone until he gets to a stopping point.
Of course, I think about the truck still parked in front of my house. I admit, the first thing I did when I got up was go peek out the front door and see if it was still there. He said he’d be by after work to get it, and I can’t help but wonder what the neighbors thought. Do they recognize his truck? Are they already talking because it’s still there?
Not that I care.
At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.
I hear a door open and get up, preparing to meet Doc in the hallway. “Go ahead and eat. I’ll get this one,” Allison says, standing up and leaving me alone in the nurses’ station.
