Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Faith was finishing up a patient’s chart when Myra nudged her. “I think someone’s here to see you.”
She looked up, dread plunging through her veins. Was it Jon?
She could see into the waiting room past the reception desk. Tanner’s friend Noah had his elbows resting casually against the counter. She breathed a sigh. Just Noah. Thank goodness.
Then she realized why he might be here. Tanner had said Noah wanted to ask her out.
Oh, god. No.
He flashed a dazzling grin at their receptionist. “I was hoping to make an appointment.”
“Why do you think he’s here for me?” Faith muttered to Myra.
“Because when we were at Bennett Security that time, the guy only asked me about you.” Myra pumped her eyebrows up and down.
Faith elbowed her coworker. “Quit. He’s going to see you.”
Noah’s eyes flicked over to meet hers.
“Usually people call for appointments,” their receptionist said. She was a no-nonsense gatekeeper, an old battle axe in a twenty-five-year-old’s body.
But Noah’s smile didn’t falter. “Phones are so impersonal. Plus, I didn’t have the number.”
Faith could only see the back of the receptionist’s head, but she could imagine the glare Noah was receiving right now. “It’s on our website. But I’m happy to schedule something for you.” She woke up the computer.
Myra leaned over to whisper, “I think now is when we save him.”
Faith shrugged. “Unless he really wants a cleaning.” She was trying to be optimistic.
“I guarantee you, a guy with teeth that nice already has his dental care well established.” Myra walked over to the reception area. “You’re overdue for a break, right? I can take it from here. Noah’s a friend.”
The receptionist eyed her warily. “You’ll answer the phones?”
“Faith and I don’t have any more appointments. We’ve got it.”
Shrugging, the receptionist got up and walked toward the back.
Faith glanced after her. It was almost the end of the day, and Dr. Petrie had already left.
Still, she was nervous about the receptionist mentioning this visit later.
Faith couldn’t afford to anger her boss after what had happened with Jon's visit and the “delivery.”
Faith walked over to the desk. “Are you really here to schedule an appointment?”
“That was my clever ruse to get in the door. Do you think your receptionist will forgive me?”
“That probably depends on why you’re really here.” She tried to keep her tone neutral. She suspected he was flirting with her, and she didn’t want to give him the wrong idea.
His clean-cut, boyish looks probably let him get away with plenty. With enough time, Faith thought even their battle-axe receptionist wouldn’t be immune.
“It was true when I said I didn’t have the phone number I needed. But I was hoping I could get yours.”
Definitely flirting. Because Tanner—the guy she was actually crushing on—had probably encouraged it. Ugh. This was awkward.
Myra grabbed a sheet of note paper, leaning over the desk. “She’d be happy to. Why don’t I write it down? Or, even quicker, you could just tell her now whatever you were going to say on the phone.”
Noah’s eyebrows drew down thoughtfully. “That would be more efficient. I was going to ask if you’re doing all right. Tanner told me what happened. The break in?”
“Oh. Yeah, I’ve been good.”
Neither Kyle nor Jon had bothered her further.
She was really hoping the whole mess was behind her.
Any other possibility made her feel like throwing up.
Myra and Sylvie had both been great about it, checking in almost every day on how she was feeling.
Sylvie had made sure Faith didn’t have to spend the night alone, and Myra had been driving her to and from work, so Faith didn’t have to bike.
Tanner had texted several times, too. Faith was determined to be grateful for all her friendships.
“That’s a relief,” Noah said.
Myra huffed. “Really? You came all the way here to ask that? Bor-ing,” she said in a singsong voice.
Noah laughed. “C’mon Myra, give a guy a chance. I wasn’t finished. I also planned to ask if she’d have dinner with me.”
And there it was. Faith had known this was coming, but she still felt her cheeks blushing.
“If you’re going to get shot down, sooner is probably better,” Myra pointed out.
“So true.” Noah and Myra both looked to her, waiting for her to say something.
In theory, Noah was exactly the kind of guy she should want to go out with. In objective terms, he was cute. Classic good looks, expressive green eyes. Defined muscle showed beneath his polo shirt. Noah seemed friendly, kind.
He just wasn’t Tanner. And Tanner wasn’t interested in her.
She kept thinking his name. Tanner.
And then, she realized she’d said it aloud.
Noah looked confused. “What about Tanner?”
Faith’s jaw snapped shut. Crap. Why had she said that?
Sorry Noah, but I can’t stop thinking about your friend. Because, when it comes to men, I’m only attracted to the ones I can’t have. First Luke, now Tanner. It was like her subconscious didn’t want her to have sex ever again.
Noah was still waiting for an explanation. But Myra saved the day.
“Oh, that’s a great idea.” Myra waved her hands excitedly. “What about all of us going out together? You and Faith, me and Tanner.”
Noah hesitated, then shrugged. “No objections here. Is that what you meant, Faith?”
“Well…”
If the four of them went out, they’d probably have a good time together. It meant another evening spent in Tanner’s company. Because he was her friend.
And maybe, if she gave Noah a chance, she’d feel something for him. He was the guy she should be interested in—handsome, a full-grown adult. Available and interested.
“Sure.”
“How about tomorrow?” Noah asked.
Faith couldn’t think of any reason to say no. “Tomorrow works.”
“Then it’s a double date.”