Luc tried to take a nap after Sam left. As he lay in the dark, quiet room, the only things that ran through his brain were long dark hair, and captivating brown eyes. Shaking his head and rolling over, the same thing happened for an entire hour, until he was so tired that he finally dozed off. But visions of her haunted his dreams. It was nothing specific. A replay of her spilling the iced tea on him. But this time, she was the one peeling his sweatshirt off him. Then she disappeared into the fogginess of the alternate reality. After searching through all of the abstract things and people in his dream, he found her again. But each time, she was just out of his reach.
Just like in reality.
Being startled awake by nothing, he looked blurry-eyed around his dark room. Kassie wasn’t here. No one was. His gut felt like he’d been chasing after her all night. Rolling over, he sighed heavily. Now wide awake, he stared at the blank wall.
He was thinking about Kassie again. He never had any intention of starting something with O’Conner’s sister. Yet he couldn’t keep her out of his mind. His stomach growled with hunger and twisted uncomfortably each time Kassie crossed his mind. Rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling, he knew sleep was useless. There was no way he was going to finish his nap now, so going for a sandwich was the next best thing.
Walking in to the local sub shop, he was immediately ambushed by three young women who knew exactly who he was. Their squeals and giggles were almost annoying, since he wasn’t quite awake yet. But being the polite guy that he was, he allowed a few photos with each of them. The blonde tore a paper in half and asked him for his autograph.
She swooned. “Make it to Cece.”
After Luc handed her the paper and pen, she scribbled something on the other half of the paper. She thanked him as her friends walked away. Cece winked and shoved the paper in his back jeans pocket before she left.
This sort of thing happened all the time to him. And normally, he’d be all about this chick, Cece, and her hand in his back pocket. She certainly is my normal target, er, type. She had bleach-blonde hair and stripper heels. Everything in between was either spandex or so tight it looked like it was painted on. Yep, exactly what he always went for. But nothing he was interested in today.
He ordered his sandwich and sat down at a table, the piece of paper still in his pocket. As he ate, he pulled it out. Written on it was Cece’s name and phone number. Luc sat staring at the paper as he ate. He had never paused to contemplate calling a bunny before, because that’s what Cece was, a bunny. He’d never given it a second thought before he met Kassie O’Conner. But today for some reason, looking at that phone number only made him think of Kassie. She was stuck in his head.
Those big brown eyes.
He finished his lunch and crumpled up the sandwich wrapper, along with the phone number, before tossing them both in the garbage. He didn’t even think twice about tossing the slip of paper; he just did it.
This wasn’t typical for Luc Marcella. What was wrong with him?
CHAPTER SIX
Kassie
The day was passing quickly at work. For no good reason, Kassie hummed to the background music in the office, carried on small talk with patients, and even helped out a co-worker with paperwork. There was no explanation for her good mood. Plus, it was only Wednesday. It wasn’t normal for someone to be this happy on a Wednesday.
“Hey, Kassie,” a voice said from the office check-out window.
It was the last patient of the day, Mr. Snow. “Hi Mr. Snow. Um, you don’t owe any co-payment for today, so you’re good to go!”
“Thanks.” He paused awkwardly at the window. His voice cracked with nervousness as he spoke up. “Uh, yeah, and please call me Rob.”
“Okay, Rob.” She tried not to grimace at the awkward silence that followed. “Can I help you with anything else?”
“Just one thing. Well, it’s nothing, really. I was… I was just wondering if you’d want to go grab a coffee sometime.”
Her stomach tensed. This wasn’t the first time she’d been asked out at work. But it never got any easier. And she gave the same answer each time. With an apologetic smile, she gently let him down. “Sorry, Rob. Thank you so much for the offer. I do appreciate it. It’s just, there are rules, and we aren’t allowed to date patients.”
Rob forced a smile, and nodded. “Sure. Right. Yeah. I get that.” His cheeks turned pink. “Figured as much. It’s cool. I had to try. Well, guess I’m all set. So… see you next time.”
Rob exited the office before she could say anything else. She wasn’t lying about the no-dating-patients rule. And he was an attractive man, probably her age. Clean cut, a slacks and loafers, polo shirts kinda guy. But he didn’t do it for her. So even if she ran into him at the mall, her answer would’ve still been no.
Her co-worker Lisa poked her head around the corner. “Another offer, Kassie?”
“Yep. Do I have a sign on me or something? ‘I’m single—please ask me out’? Or do I just look that lonely and pathetic?”
“Oh Kassie, puh-lease! Girl, you are the cutest thing in this office, and with no ring, you are prime real estate.”
“Prime real estate? What’s that supposed to mean?” It sounded ridiculous and something she never wanted to be called again.
“Just like I said, you’re the cute and sexy one in the office. Everyone knows that.”
“I wear scrubs just like everyone else,” Kassie said, tired of this conversation. “Scrubs are not sexy.”
“But you are one of the only people I know who look awesome in them,” Lisa said with a laugh. “Seriously, Kass. You look adorable in them, whereas I look like I just rolled out of bed.”
Kassie didn’t believe Lisa’s comments. No one looks hot in scrubs.
The day’s work was complete, and she couldn’t have been more relieved. The doctor was gone as well as all the patients, the paperwork was finished, and rooms ready for the next day.
Kassie grabbed her purse and keys. “Well, that’s enough of being on display for me today. I’m taking my sexy self and grabbing some greasy food to eat in front of the television. Sounds hot, huh?” She winked at her friend.
Lisa nodded and smiled. “Definitely.”
Driving home, her stomach growled. Kassie considered a nice bucket of greasy chicken, until she spotted the sign for the taco place. But after some internal debate, she chose the chicken. Since she’d been so good this week, indulging on only rabbit food, she deserved some grease.