Chapter 7
LEAH
The entire drive, I think about my morning—about almost kissing Aaden and the crazy sexual tension between us.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought someone like him would be attracted to a quiet, plain girl like myself.
But as exciting as it is, I can’t help but think of…
him. The last guy I dated was also too good to be true, and I got hurt, really hurt.
I force those memories from my mind as I pull into the hospital's parking lot and make my way up to the ICU. My thoughts shouldn’t be occupied with my love life or lack thereof.
I should be focused on one thing. One person.
Nothing else matters. My steps falter as I’m hit with the most glorious sight.
“You’re awake!” I croak, tears erupting from my eyes as I rush across the room. “Oh, thank God. You scared me to death!”
I hug her gently, careful not to hurt her. She’s pale and appears very weak, but she’s sitting up in the bed and smiling. A man in a white lab coat is standing next to her, holding a cup of water with a straw.
“You must be Leah. I’m Dr. Lofland.”
“It’s nice to meet you. How is she?”
“She may have trouble talking for a bit. Her throat will be sore from the tube. But she’s doing very well.” He grins.
I can’t stop crying or looking at her, scanning her frail frame, making sure she’s really here, making sure she’s fine and that I haven’t lost her. She pats my hand gently, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“If she continues to improve, she could possibly go home by the end of the week,” Dr. Lofland says.
“Just a few more days, and I can take you home. Keep getting better, okay?”
“Okay,” she mouths to me. I smile and kiss her on her cheek.
After half an hour of me talking, I can tell she’s getting tired. I place the chair back in the corner of the room, grab my purse, and stand next to her, gripping her hand. “I’m going to let you get some rest. I’ll be back in later to see you.”
I press a kiss to her forehead as she nods and closes her eyes. I head out of the hospital feeling a thousand times better than when I walked in. What an emotional day, and it’s only noon.
I decide to stop at Java, my new favorite café, once I make it back to D.C. I need the boost right about now. I’m waiting in line after ordering a large coffee and a blueberry muffin when someone calls out to me.
“Leah?”
I grin when I find Noah walking toward me. “Noah, hi. How are you?”
“My day just got better thanks to you.” He winks. I smile and pick up my order. “Would you care to join me for a bit?”
“I’d love to.”
I follow him to a table next to a window, and he pulls a chair out for me. “Are you playing hooky away from work today? And if so, why is a pretty girl like you hanging around alone?” He asks as he settles in the seat across from me, and I take a sip of my coffee.
“I just came from seeing my mom at the hospital. She was admitted last night.” I wrap my hands around the warm mug.
The smile on his face disappears. “Nothing serious, I hope.”
I study my cup, my mind going over the last month. “She’s doing better,” I say. I don’t want to go into much detail.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
We chat for about half an hour, talking and laughing. He has a great sense of humor. Despite the pain over the last few days, my body relaxes. Talking to Noah is incredibly easy, and I could easily see us becoming great friends.
“You’re so funny.” I giggle, setting my empty mug down. “I needed a good laugh, thank you.”
He shrugs. “That’s what I’m here for, baby girl. I aim to please.”
I grab my purse and dig around, searching for my keys. “Well, I better head home. I still have some unpacking to do.”
“Do you really gotta go?” He leans forward, studying me.
“Yes, unfortunately. I have a lot to do.” I stand to leave, pulling my purse onto my shoulder.
“I’ll walk you to your car then.”
I slip my sunglasses on as soon as we walk outside. It’s damn bright out, and my eyes are still sensitive from all the crying I did the night before. I unlock my car and throw my purse inside while Noah holds the door open for me. “Thank you again. I really needed this today.”
“As always, the pleasure was all mine.” He leans in and crashes his lips to mine, catching me completely off guard. I stumble backward a step, surprised by the unexpected move. My heart jolts in shock.
“Oh, wow,” I mumble as I pull away and lift my hand to my mouth. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
He runs his hand up my arm, stopping to rest it on my shoulder. “Would you like to join me for dinner tonight?”
Now, my heart is galloping. I swallow hard. This is getting out of hand. I clear my throat before speaking, “I’d really like that, but I have a lot going on right now with my mom. Raincheck?”
He licks his lips and takes a step back. “Of course.” With a smile, he reaches into his wallet and pulls out his business card. “Give me a call when you’re ready.”
“I will.” I take his card.
“I hope your mom feels better soon.”
“Thanks. You’re sweet.”
He flashes that handsome grin. “I try to be.”
With a quick peck on his cheek, I climb into my car and wave as I pull away. Aside from that awkward kiss, it’s been a pretty fantastic day, albeit an exhausting one after a restless night’s sleep. The coffee didn’t offer much of a pick me up.
When I pull into my apartment complex, my body begins to relax.
The moment I step inside, exhaustion hits me.
I flop down on my couch and let out a deep sigh.
Then I’m reminded of the memory of Aaden sleeping in this exact spot.
My brain starts going over the events of this morning—the almost kiss, the protective way he treated me when the glass shattered at my feet.
Suddenly, I’m hit with a feeling of shame.
I’ve kissed three of his friends. As attractive and as sweet as they all are, none of them holds a candle to Aaden.
I groan in frustration. Of course, I would be lusting over the one man who is off-limits.
I’m confused by all the attention. I’ve been avoided by guys most of my life, and now, here I am, getting the attention of four attractive, wealthy men. What’s changed?
Ugh, my head hurts. Between my mother, my new job, my new apartment, and my personal life, it’s no wonder I have a splitting headache.
I go up to my room to change and take some Tylenol, deciding to spend the rest of my day watching movies and relaxing.
After throwing on a black cotton nightgown and my fuzzy robe, I move downstairs to start my movie marathon.
Chick-flick time. I pull out my stash of movies.
My first choice is one of my favorites, ‘Steel Magnolias’.
***
I jump at the sound of banging. Glancing around in confusion, I try to get my bearings.
It’s dark except for the TV, which is stuck on the title screen of the movie.
I sit up and rub my eyes, trying to get them to focus on the clock.
Shit, it’s after eight. Another knock has me stumbling off the couch, cursing as I make my way to the door, still half asleep.
Before whoever it is can knock again, I yank it open and freeze.
“Aaden?”
His blinding smile hits me as he holds up a bag of take-out Chinese food. “I come bearing gifts.” His expression quickly changes. “I’m sorry, did I wake you?”
“No, it’s okay. I’ve been asleep almost all day. I’m glad you woke me.” I step aside and invite him in.
He looks at me in my fuzzy robe and smirks. “Hot.” He waggles his eyebrows.
“Yeah, thanks,” I laugh.
“I was worried. I hadn’t heard from you, so I thought I’d come by.”
I pull my robe a little tighter around me. “I know. I’m sorry. She’s awake. The breathing tube is out, and if everything remains good, she can come home this weekend.”
His body visibly relaxes, and he raises the bag of food once again. “Let’s celebrate.”
My stomach growls when the smell from the bag hits my nose. “Oh my God, you’re a lifesaver. I’m starving.” I take the bag from him and walk into the kitchen.
“I had a feeling you hadn’t eaten.” He follows me and grabs two plates from the cabinet. “I bought General Tao’s chicken and shrimp with Chinese vegetables.” I pull the containers out of the bag.
“How did you know that shrimp with veggies is my favorite?”
He gets two forks from a drawer. “Because you have good taste.” He winks.
I smile as he hands me my plate, and I think back to breakfast this morning.
He already knows his way around my kitchen.
We fill our plates and head into the living room, choosing to sit on the floor at my coffee table so we can watch TV.
I realize just how hungry I am when I take that first bite of food.
“Mmmm, you’re a saint,” I mumble around a mouth full of shrimp. “I didn’t realize I was so hungry. Thank you.”
“Yeah, well, don’t forget to tip the delivery man.” He grins as he shovels rice into his mouth. My breath catches in my throat as I look at him. As if realizing what he said, he shakes his head. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and return to my food. I can feel Aaden watching me. My skin prickles with awareness. The air pulses around us, and I’m suddenly so nervous, I can’t eat another bite.
“I had to see you,” his voice rumbles. I turn to look at him, staring into his aqua eyes as they scan my face. My pulse jackhammers at the fire swirling within them. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you today.”
I swallow hard. Every muscle in my body stiffens. I want to look away, feeling way too shy to maintain eye contact, but I can’t. His gaze pulls me in. “Me either,” I whisper.