Damned right it is. This is freaking weird. Can I stick my head under the sofa right now?
“I can tell I’m making matters worse. I’ll just shut up.”
Good idea. “I think I’ll shower,” I say. So I can wash all remaining traces and evidence of you away now. Jeez. Why did I consent to this? What the hell was I thinking? Ok, Forbes, get it together. This is a hell of a lot better than a baby, right?
When I turn to walk to the bathroom, a pair of arms snatches me and I find I’m caught against what feels like a concrete wall. Drew’s head drops down next to my ear, and he murmurs, “Please don’t be shy about this. It’s all normal stuff. Your body is beautiful to me, all the tiny pieces of it.” Then he nuzzles me with his nose before releasing me. He’s right. This is silly. He’s seen all the tiny pieces of me, too. There isn’t any reason for me to be shy now.
Turning in his arms, I loop my hands behind his neck and smile. “It’s going to take some getting used to is all. I’ve never openly discussed this stuff.”
“I get it. Now go shower and we’ll figure out what to do today.”
While I shower, I decide I want to see Drew’s hospital. I’m interested in what he does every day. So he gives me a tour and then he takes me to the clinic early so he can show me around because he sees patients here, too. “You really like it here, at this hospital and all, don’t you?” I ask.
“Yeah, it’s worked out great for me.”
“And you never considered going back to Charleston for school or residency?”
“You know, I did for a time. But then I had an awesome relationship with my professors in med school here and everything was sort of set up for me, so I thought why ruin a great thing?”
Mulling this over I have to ask him. “So how will this work for your fellowship? You say you want to do oncology, right?”
“Exactly. Maybe then I’ll go back to Charleston. They have a great oncology program and then it might be time to spread my wings. With oncology nowadays, all the major cancer centers are linked one way or another so it’s not like it used to be.”
“That makes it better for greater opportunity then.”
“Yes!” he answers.
By now, we’re getting close to my appointment time so I suggest we head to that department. When I’m finished, Drew is waiting for me.
“How’d it go?”
“Great. I have a prescription for the pill. The doctor said it was the best option for me. Can you drop me by a pharmacy where I can also get refills back at school?”
“Sure.”
He takes me to one of those chain pharmacies and as soon as we verify it won’t be a problem, I get my birth control.
We leave and on the way to the car, Drew pulls me into his side. “So, when can you start on these?”
“I’m supposed to wait until after my next period.”
“When’s that due?”
“This week.”
I am awarded with a beaming smile that makes me melt. Right then, my stomach growls.
“Hmm. Someone’s hungry.”
Damn stomach. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Let’s eat. I’ll need some food and we won’t eat dinner until after the game.”
He takes me to a cute little pub downtown. The hostess seats us and makes doe eyes at Drew the whole time. During lunch, Drew’s phone rings, and when he checks it, he doesn’t answer. But he also doesn’t say who it is. I wonder why. I want to ask him but I don’t want to be nosy, either. Then our waitress keeps stopping by and the only way she could be any more obvious about her attraction toward him would be if she actually drooled at our table. I want to say something clever, but I don’t want him to think I’m jealous. It’s times like these I wish Jenna were in my hip pocket.
He must finally notice that I’m sort of pouting because he asks, “Is all okay over there?”
“Fine.” My clipped tone indicates otherwise.
He sets his fork down and looks at me. “Did I do something, Cate? And don’t make me try to be one of those mind readers, please.”
Shit, he’s right. I can’t very well blame him for the way others treat him. Smiling, I say, “No, I’m fine. Truly.”
“You’re sure? Because a minute ago you looked like your beer had kerosene in it.”
“I’m sure.”
He lifts my hand and brushes his lips over my knuckles. It happens at exactly the time our mooning waitress shows up. She shoots me a dirty look and in turn, I fire off a smug one at her. Then I lay my hand over his and say loud enough so she can hear, “I think we should have dessert at home.”
“Is there anything else I can get you or will a check be all?” the waitress asks as she glares at me.
“Oh, I think we’re quite finished here,” I say sweetly. “Aren’t we, honey?”
“Yeah.” Drew puts some cash on the table and he stands.
“You aren’t going to wait for the check?”