CHAPTER FIFTEEN #3
Lynne had set up an ice cream bar on the kitchen island.
It had always been the simplest of all her dessert ideas; it was also my favorite.
She had a million toppings set out in little bowls, several different kinds of ice cream, Redi-Whip, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, brownie bites—it had been heaven for all of us when we were teenagers, and it was hard to pretend that we were grown up and more refined now.
I found myself attacking the ice cream bar with the same intensity I had when I was a tween and teenager.
I gave Lynne a huge hug. “Thanks for making all my favorites. It means a lot to me that you remembered.”
“Of course, sweetie.” She gave me a squeeze. “As if I’d ever forget your favorites.”
After we were all finished eating, I was about ready to go back to Dad’s house. I couldn’t think of it as mine. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to. I was really leaning towards selling it and moving into something that suited me a bit better.
I thanked everyone and gave hugs all around… except to Tim. I just couldn’t bring myself to hug him. It felt too… awkward. “Okay, I’ll see y’all soon,” I said, about to grab my purse and leave.
“Hey, before you go,” Tim said, “can I show you something outside?”
“Sure.”
We walked out back and down the deck stairs into the backyard.
He took me over near the tree we’d had so many picnics under as kids. There was some sort of large structure under it now. “What is that?”
“That’s what I wanted to show you.” We walked over. I gasped when I realized what it was.
“An outdoor enclosure for Anne and Gilbert,” I said, excitedly.
It was perfect. It was large with a part that would be open to natural light, plenty of shade, a place for their food and water, a place for them to hide and rest or sleep, and a little obstacle course for some fun.
It was amazing, and I knew it had to have taken him a long time.
“Now you don’t have to drag that half-assed one around back and forth with you. There will always be one here for them.”
I couldn’t help it. I threw my arms around his neck to give him a big hug before I even thought about it.
I heard his breath hitch as he froze for a moment. Then his hands went to my waist and pulled me closer. “You smell so good, Nat. I swear, I’ve had fucking dreams about your perfume, your soap, your shampoo.”
I tried to step back from him, but he held on. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get weird…”
My phone rang and I dug it out of my pocket. “Oh,” I got a pleased smile on my face. It was Heath Reyes calling. “Hey, Dr. Reyes.”
“Natalie, I was just calling to make sure you were doing alright this evening after I attacked you with the door today. And for goodness sakes, call me Heath.”
“Okay. Heath.” It sounded nice. “I’m doing fine. I’m eating with family and friends and besides them laughing at me falling into a holly bush, I’m fine.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I can’t say I blame them. But I hope you told them it was my fault.”
“I did. They were accusing me of being clumsy, and I couldn’t let that stand.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re doing fine. I’ll see you tomorrow at work, and I hope we can set up that dinner date. Have lunch with me in the staff cafeteria?”
“Um… is that okay? Like, is it against the rules or anything?”
I could feel Tim’s eyes on me during my conversation. It was obvious he wanted to know who I was talking to.
“Not against the rules at all. You’ve been reassigned to another surgeon. We might work together in emergencies, but there’s nothing that would keep us from socializing.”
“Then I’d love to meet you for lunch.”
“I can offer you the fanciest chicken fingers and most subpar salads in town.”
“A girl can’t hope for more than that.”
He laughed. “I’ll look forward to it. See you soon, Natalie.”
We hung up, and I knew I had a goofy smile on my face. Sure, maybe we hadn’t had instant chemistry, but this man was crazy handsome, nice, funny, intelligent, and seemingly interested in me despite my face being… less than its best.
Tim had a pained look on his face. “Who was that?”
“Just a guy that might be something. Or he might not be.” I shrugged. “Jury’s still out. But I like him.”
He forced a smile and swallowed hard. “That’s, um, great.”
“Thanks.” I yawned.
“Hey, you look beat. And I don’t just mean your poor face.”
“Ha ha.”
“Do you need me to drive you home? I’d be happy to swing by your place in the morning and take you to the hospital or bring you back over here to get your car.”
“No. Thanks, though. I’ll be fine.”
He frowned. “Yeah—I’m not okay with that. They thought you might have a mild concussion. I’ll take you home.”
And he did. I gave up arguing since I thought it might actually be a good idea.
He came in, said hello to Anne and Gilbert, gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, and told me he’d pick me up around seven.
Then he was gone.
I stood there for a while after he left. It took me a minute to realize I had my hand on my cheek where he’d kissed me.
And I couldn’t quit thinking about how the only woman he’d really dated while I’d been gone happened to be the one woman in the area that greatly resembled me.
I pushed the thoughts away. I wasn’t going there with him. Not ever again.
I’d learned my lesson very well.