“It’s Dan, the guy I fired today. He’s blown up my phone all evening. He thinks we short-paid him for this week, so I told him to call Hilah. He’s acting like I slighted him somehow, but I paid the guy for sick and vacation time that he had saved and I didn’t have to do that. So why he thinks I withheld some of his pay is beyond me. He got more than he should have!”
I gathered some bubbles in my hand and blew them at him. “Like you’d do that anyway.”
He shrugged. “It’s frustrating, but I want to forget about it. I want to turn this phone off and just think about you. Want me to order something for dinner?”
“I actually have to go home. The pool guy was supposed to be by this afternoon and I need to make sure everything is done, gate shut, all that.”
Max’s eyes narrowed. “I know I’ve said this a million times, but I just don’t get why you won’t move in with me. You’re here all the time anyway. You’re paying a mortgage and we spend a week’s pay every month in gas driving back and forth.”
“I . . .”
“No, Kar,” he said, putting his head in his hands. He looked tired. “We’ve started to have this conversation a million times and you always deflect.” He looked up to me again and I could feel my wall lock into place. “Why don’t you want to live with me?”
He rested his elbows on his knees. His hair was a mess and I knew he’d been running his fingers through it, pulling on it in frustration. His eyes had circles under them, the lines on the corners more identifiable than normal.
“I don’t want to push you, baby. But right now, I just want to pick you up out of the bath, wrap you up in a towel and carry you to our bed and forget the world and all the bullshit going on. As frustrating as you are,” he smiled, “you’re what I look forward to at the end of the day.”
A knot formed in my throat hard and fast. I tried to swallow by it in hopes it would take the sting in my eyes with it, but it was futile. I looked to the door, to the ceiling, to anything but at him.
“Someday, I want you to tell me. Even if it’s just that you don’t want me like I want you . . .”
“It’s not that, Max. Please don’t think that.”
He shook his head, letting his shoulders dip before standing up. “Finish your bath. Just let me know before ya head out, okay?” He started to walk out of the room.
“Max! Wait!” I called after him, sitting up. “Don’t go. Let’s just . . . let’s order pizza and have it delivered and eat in bed. Okay?”
His face broke out into a huge grin. “You sure?”
I couldn’t help but smile back.
KARI
I grabbed my purse and jacket out of my locker, said a quick goodbye to Chandra, a nurse that I had grown really close to, and started down the hallway.
My shift started off pretty crazy, but it calmed down towards the end. I was excited to get home to Max. The sticky note he left in my car promised a fun night and I was looking forward to seeing what my man had in store for us.
“Ms. Stanley? Do you have a second?”
I turned to find Dr. Connor Manning, the new doctor just picked up by the hospital, coming towards me. He was staggeringly good-looking. It’d been fun to watch women’s reactions to him when he pulled back the ER curtain. He was a GQ-looking doc with blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and a smile to die for. A heady mix of Alpha male, yet consummate professional, he had to know the nurses and patients alike were whispering behind his back.
“Sure. How can I help you, Dr. Manning?”
“Are you finished with your shift?” He stopped a few feet in front of me and I had to look up. He wasn’t as tall as Max, but tall enough that I had to adjust my line of sight. I got the eerie feeling that I knew him—something about him seemed so familiar.
“I am. I think Misty took over for me.” I adjusted my purse on my shoulder, hoping that he didn’t need me to stay over.
His lips quipped up. “I’m off, too. I wanted to talk to you about something, but I don’t want to do it here. There’s a little coffee shop across the street. Would you mind meeting me there for a quick cup?”
I took a deep breath, not really wanting to, but it probably wasn’t a good career move to say no. “Sure. That’s fine. I’m heading out now, so I’ll just meet you there?”
“I’m going to grab my things and I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
I found my phone in my purse and made my way through the hospital. I knew the coffee shop that Connor was referring to; I had been there a number of times. I sent Max a quick text and let him know I would be a few minutes later than I thought.
Me: Hey! I had something come up at work, so I’ll be a few minutes late. Maybe fifteen or so? Shouldn’t be long.
Max: No worries. I was getting ready to text you. I got pulled in to a late lunch over this bid I’m working on. I’m actually close to the hospital.
The thought of him being close made me smile. I stopped before opening the exit to finish our conversation.
Me: So I’ll be home first then?
Max: Probably. I’ll be a good half hour or so.
Me: Since I don’t know your plans, should I prepare in some way for later? ;)
Max: Wear red.
Me: Done. xo
I laughed as I shoved the phone in my pocket and started to open the doors.