I’m sorry.
I stare down at the note that accompanied the dozens of chocolate cupcakes that were delivered to the hospital just a few minutes ago.
It’s obvious who they’re from.
He sent beautiful, intricately decorated, chocolate cupcakes for all of us, not just me. There’s enough here for all of the patients, the staff… hell, even the kids’ parents.
“What did he do?” Jill asks from behind me and I whirl around.
“Stop reading over my shoulder!”
She chuckles and picks up a cupcake, sniffs it, and takes a big bite. “What did he do?” she repeats.
“He pissed me off.”
“When?”
“Last night.” I pick up a cupcake and take a big bite. Mmm… so good.
“Wanna put these in the lounge?” Jill asks as she licks her fingertips.
“Yeah. People can graze on them all day, although I don’t think they’ll last that long.” I smirk and wheel the cart full of the chocolate goodness down the hall.
“You know, he could have just sent you a cupcake,” Jill murmurs beside me, examining her fingernails.
“I know.” Damn him for being so sweet.
“Mmm hmm.”
“Stop. I get it. He’s nice, but he fucked up yesterday, so it’s okay for me to be frustrated with him, okay?”
“Okay.” Jill raises her hands in an “I surrender” motion and snags another treat. “These are delish.”
“Yeah, I guess he listened the other day when the kids told him I like chocolate.”
“I guess he did,” she responds with a smile.
“You have chocolate in your teeth,” I mutter and pick up another cupcake for myself.
I arrange the cupcakes on a long table in the lounge and then pull out my phone.
Delicious. I hit send and bite my lip. Maybe I should have said more, but he needs to earn it.
Yes, you are. He responds immediately, and I laugh. Suddenly my phone is ringing, Football Star displayed on the caller ID.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Hey,” he responds softly. “I wanted to hear your voice, and this is faster than texting. We’re about to get on the plane to go to San Francisco for Sunday’s game.”
“Oh, it’s an away game this week?” I ask, disappointment in my voice. He’ll be out of town all weekend.
That’s okay, I work all weekend.
“Yeah, we’ll be back Sunday night. Look, Meg, I’m sorry for last night. I should have known that it would get crazy, but I really did just want to take you out for a good burger.”
“Yeah, you should have known,” I agree softly.
“Have I completely fucked up, or are you going to let me make it up to you?”
I bite my lip and clench my eyes shut. Damn it, what is it about this guy that I just can’t seem to tell him no?
“Next time, I pick the spot,” I reply and I hear him sigh in relief.
“Deal. So, where shall I take you for date number two?”
“Uh, let’s worry about date number one first.”
“We already went on date number one,” he growls, making me grin.
“No, we didn’t. You didn’t take me home and you pissed me off. It doesn’t count.”
“Fuck,” he mutters and I can imagine him running his hand through his shaggy hair in frustration. “You’re killing me, honey.”
“How is that?” I ask and peel the paper off another chocolate cupcake. Jesus, I’m going to gain ten pounds today.
“Hold on,” he takes the phone away from his mouth and calls out to someone, “Hey! I’ll be right back.”
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Finding a private spot,” he mutters and I hear him walking. A door opens, then closes. “As I was saying, you’re killing me because I want to taste you, everywhere.”
I stop chewing the now-cardboard chocolate in my mouth and swallow hard.
“Excuse me?” I whisper.
“I want to slowly undress you and taste every delectable inch of you. I want you squirming and wet.”
“Mission accomplished,” I mutter and then slap my hand over my mouth as he laughs.
“I want to see you Sunday night.”
“I work Sunday night. I’m on swings this weekend. I don’t get off work until two am.”
“Do you work that shift often?” he asks quietly and I frown at the change in his tone.
“It’s a rotation. We all work all the shifts. But I only work three twelve hour days a week, so it’s not so bad.”
“So, let me get this straight. You go home in the middle of the night to a house in North Seattle with no alarm system?” His voice is steel, and my stomach clenches.
“It’s no big deal, Will.”
“I’m installing an alarm system in your townhouse on Monday.” His voice is firm.
“No, you’re not.” What the hell?
“Yes, I am. Don’t argue with me on this, Megan. I’m gone a lot; I need to know you’re safe.”
“Will, we’ve been out on one date…”
“A-ha! So it was a date,” he exclaims triumphantly.
“Don’t change the subject. You don’t need to install anything in my house. I’m fine.”
“We’ll see.”