Of course, that might require me to see you after midnight. You know, just to make sure you grab the right leftover.
I feel myself getting hot and no doubt red at his words. I type, but then erase it. Then try again, but there’s nothing to say that won’t make this worse.
You blushing on me, Babygirl?He adds a winky face to the end, and I think I might be blushing hard. He knows what gets to me.
I do the only reasonable, sensible thing there is.
I send a thumbs-up emoji.
Which gets a laughing emoji in response.
We continue our childish banter back and forth for a few more minutes before a code blue occurs in one of my assigned rooms, and I’m out of the break room the next second. Food and texting are forgotten until the patient is stable again.
By the time I make it back to the break room, my food is where I left it but cold as can be. And honestly, I ate most of it, so there isn’t any need to keep it to reheat later. After tossing it and cleaning my space, I pull out my phone.
Karter texted a few times. Nothing more than being silly, but it still brings a smile to my face.
Sorry for ignoring you for a bit. Had an emergency call at work. Really appreciate the food. Thanks again. It gave me just enough energy to get through the next hour of work I had left.
I’m halfway back to the nurses’ desk before I feel my phone buzz again. Pulling it out before I get to my station, I read over his words and smile.
Hope all is okay. And anytime, Babygirl.
As I expected, his words and the food carry me through the last hour.
“You heading out?” Ashley asks with a smile.
I nod. “Yeah.” I grab my bookbag and groan as I swing it onto my back. It doesn’t weigh much, but after long days like today, it can feel like a lead weight. “You coming in tomorrow?”
She shakes her head with a smile. “No, Beatrice could carve out a few extra days. Going to spend tomorrow pampering and doing some baby prep, and then I’m takingmy hubby away for some long-awaited time alone. I already called his boss and got him to clear it too.”
“That’s wonderful, Ash. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will. Bye.”
I wave to her as I head out.
It takes a bit because I’m never one to just walk away. I check in with a few of the nurses who are taking over my patients and then with Vicky, the head nurse, letting her in on what I know about how things are going so she can tell her counterpart about my patients as well. We might not be the biggest hospital, but we’ve all made it work for us.
I pull out my phone as I walk out and look over the texts again, debating if I should text him. I have nothing to say, but I want to talk to him. About what? No clue. I just like how I feel when he responds.
“Need a lift, darling?”
I barely register the words, shaking my head and continuing to look down. I always find it easier to seem busy but still respond. The person might not be talking to me, but a headshake can either be a no to their question or, if they aren’t talking to me, I could just look like I’m reacting to something on my phone. Easier than locking eyes with a stranger and having to deal with some creep picking up women at the hospital. It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened.
“You sure about that, Babygirl?”
My head snaps up, and I lock eyes with a smiling Karter, sitting on his bike right in front of the hospital. Leather jacket. Tight jeans. No helmet. Sexy as hell.
Is that safe? No. Seriously, no. I’ve seen enough to know a helmet is a must-have.
But is it a turn-on? One hundred fucking percent.
I stop dead in my tracks, staring at him with my mouth open like a damn fish or something.
“What are you doing here?”
He gives a small shrug, looking down briefly before back up at me. “Imissed you.”
