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But I refused to rush it until we were both ready. I only hoped this morning had been enough to make her want the same thing.

My phone buzzed, her thanks effusive. I was able to reply before the next patient demanded my attention, and her response was perfect. Short and sweet. She understood my brevity and wasn’t upset by it.

I had dated a girl last year who worked in a warehouse overseeing deliveries. She had long periods of downtime, and she quickly became upset if I wasn’t fast enough responding to her or if my texts were short. I had explained my situation to her more than once, but she was insistent that she had to have priority. That relationship ended with her tossing a glass of wine in my face and storming away when I suggested we weren’t compatible after she berated me for five minutes about being late to pick her up. I had offered to send a car to get her and meet her at the restaurant, but that was even worse, it seemed. She had been deadly quiet in the car and until the drinks arrived, then started on my list of imperfections. I had, it seemed, a great many.

When she left, I had calmly wiped the alcohol from my face and stood, paying the bill and leaving with as much dignity as I could muster. She was outside screaming at an Uber driver for taking longer than the eight minutes the app had stated. I walked past her, grateful it was done. I had a feeling whoever she was involved with needed a great deal of time, money, and patience.

Maddy was vastly different. A fact I was aware of and grateful for.

I was looking forward to seeing her on Sunday. Spending time with her. Listening to her talk. Laugh. Share stories. I couldn’t recall being anxious to see someone again so quickly. We’d talked for hours last night, yet I felt as if there was so much more to talk about. To learn about her.

I only hoped she felt the same.

I picked her up early on Sunday, getting out of my car quickly, anxious to see her. By the time I made it to the stairway, she was already halfway down, smiling widely at me in greeting. I grinned back, reaching out to take the heavy-looking basket she was carrying, and tugged her close with my free arm, kissing her hello. Our mouths moved perfectly together, and I felt her low sigh as our lips touched. I swore my chest heaved the same sense of relief from having her close.

I pulled back, gazing down at her. “Hi.”

“Hi yourself, handsome.”

I chuckled. “You insisted on bringing food, but you do realize it’s only for one meal, right?”

She tapped my lips. “I’ve seen you eat. I think I packed just enough.”

“Rude,” I muttered and kissed her again.

“At the rate you’re going, you aren’t going to leave this parking lot any time today.” A dry voice came from behind Maddy.

Startled, I pulled back, meeting the amused gaze of a woman, who was watching us.

Maddy shook her head. “Enough from you, Sue.” She glanced up at me, her eyes twinkling. “My aunt arrived back last night. Ignore her, she’s almost senile.”

“That’s enough lip out of you,” Sue retorted. “And you were holding out on me, young lady. This one is a dish and a half. Assuming, of course, this is the Matthew you blathered on about.”

“Oh, a woman with taste,” I said with a grin. “Nice to meet you, Sue.”

Maddy groaned. “I didn’t blather.”

“I don’t mind,” I assured her. “Like my dad says, I am kind of a big deal.”

Maddy and Sue began to laugh, and I walked up the steps and shook Sue’s hand. “Hello.”

She looked at Maddy. “Handsome and well-mannered. A keeper.”

“I dunno,” Maddy sighed. “His ego is big. Hard to handle.”

I winked at Sue, feeling strangely relaxed with her. “Not the only big, hard-to-handle thing. But I have every confidence she’ll manage.”

Sue laughed raucously.

Maddy gaped at me, then shook her head. “Reserved, I think you said, Dr. VanRyan? I call BS on that. I think it’s time to go before you say anything else. I’ll see you later.”

Sue waved as I headed back to Maddy, picking up the basket where I had set it before saying hello to Sue.

“Be safe, kids!” she called.

“Sue!” Maddy admonished.

“I meant wear your life vests,” Sue replied, her cheeky grin showing that wasn’t what she meant at all.