Chapter 3 #2
“How would you know?” She fidgeted with the silverware in front of her. “You don’t know either of us.”
“I know that you like Oreos and bread. That means you have good taste.” He wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin then ate another bite of his pizza. “And you’re an incredible pediatrician which means you’re ambitious and driven.”
He chewed. Brooke watched him. Slowly, he swallowed, and she watched the gentle glide of his Adam’s apple bob. A primal urge made her want to run a finger down the length of his neck. For a solid three minutes, she hadn’t thought about Justin once. Progress.
“That makes me sound—” She caught her fidgeting and leaned her forearms on the table, “I could say the same about you.”
“We aren’t talking about me. We’re talking about you.” He polished off the rest of the slice of pizza. “I think being a pediatrician is incredible, and I’ve always been unable to resist a woman who knows how to snack. And I already know that you happen to love two of my favorite foods.”
Brooke rolled her eyes. She appreciated Logan’s weak attempt to lift her mood even if he was completely full of it.
Though his method did work, because she hadn’t tried to sneak glances at the other end of the table, not even once.
It was the little victories at this point.
Plus, she liked talking to Logan. He put her at ease and seemed genuinely interested in her.
Justin always acted annoyed when they chatted like he had somewhere else to be, and she constantly found herself trying to prove to him she was a person worth sticking around for.
In hindsight, she knew the relationship never had the legs to go the distance, but the feeling of abandonment shook her to her core.
Dr. Hernandez interrupted them when he abruptly stood. “I have to head back.” He smoothly retrieved his wallet from his pocket and tossed some money onto the table. “That should cover what I owe. It was nice meeting you, Dr. Schofield. I’ll see you both again soon.”
“I need to head back to the hospital too.” Dr. Salsburg pushed her chair back. “I’ll walk back with you if you don’t mind.” She also placed money down on the table.
Dr. Hernandez smiled at her. “Great. I’d love the company.”
Brooke swore she saw a spark in Dr. Hernandez’s eyes. No wonder they hadn’t spoken two words to them the entire time. But then again, Brooke had partly forgotten there were other people at the table besides Logan, too.
They left. The other doctors in the middle gathered up their stuff as well. Brooke’s food still hadn’t arrived. Justin and his lady pal were still stationed at the far end with Ian and Aubrey. Geez, she hoped they didn’t try to get them to shuffle on down to their spot to merge their conversations.
“You can go,” she peered around again for the server, “I arrived late, but I’m going to wait for my food. I’m starving, but please don’t let me keep you if you have someone to get home to.”
She partly cringed at her weak attempt to find out if Logan was in fact single. Suddenly, her break up with Justin appeared miles away.
“I don’t have anyone to get home to.” Logan sipped his soda. “And if that was your sneaky way of asking me if I’m single then— I am by the way, single.” He smiled smugly.
She unnecessarily fidgeted with her silverware again. “I—I—wasn’t asking,” Brooke stammered.
He shrugged. “But now you know,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I guess I do.” Heat flushed her cheeks, and she attempted to cool herself off by waving her hand in front of herself.
Why did she feel flustered around Logan?
They had only met yesterday, and she was in no position to jump into something new with another guy.
Her heart still beat for Justin, didn’t it?
She peered over at the other end of the table.
Justin wrapped his arm around his new girlfriend’s shoulders then kissed her lovingly on the temple. Ugh, he never kissed her that way.
Her server came by to refill drinks, and Brooke inquired about her food.
The server replied, annoyed, “Look around, this place is slammed with orders. It will come out when it comes out.”
“Okay, well— I guess bring it out in a to-go box,” she instructed the server.
“No.” Logan interjected and waved the idea away. “That won’t be necessary. Bring it out as planned.”
Brooke fiddled with her hair then swept it over one shoulder. “Really?”
She recognized how hopeful it made her feel.
“No, I’ve got all night.” He wiped his face with a napkin then crumpled it up and tossed it on his plate. “I’ll stay until you’re finished eating.”
Deadpan, the server muttered, “What do you want me to do?”
“I guess,” she threw up a hand, “bring it out once it’s ready and forget about making it a to-go.”
“Fine.” The server melted into the crowded beast of the restaurant.
He wagged his eyebrows. “Oh, they like you,” Logan teased.
Brooke punched him in the arm. “Thanks a lot.” She fought a smile. “I might not be able to come back here again until there is a turnover in employees.”
What was she doing? Justin dumped her like ten minutes ago, and now she threw herself at the first guy who flirted with her.
Wait, was Logan even flirting? Maybe this wasn’t flirting.
Maybe she didn’t even know how to date anymore.
Maybe this was the start of a beautiful friendship, she certainly could use a few more friends.
Could guys and gals be friends with one another without one of them wanting more? Her head spun more than she wanted.
Logan smirked. “I guess we’ll have to find a new restaurant to frequent.”
She found him annoyingly cute. “We?” She raised an eyebrow.
“You heard me correctly,” he countered.
Aubrey caught her attention then waved at them to join them down at the other end. Brooke shook her head and shifted her back, to block seeing Justin and his girlfriend. She was enjoying this flirtatious and fun conversation.
“Okay, why did you pick to work at a hospital in Chicago?” Brooke leaned in closer. Their shoulders grazed one another a few times but never landed.
She placed her forearm on the table.
Logan leaned in closer, too. “Why did you end up here?” Their arms nearly rested against one another, but a stubborn inch kept them apart.
“I asked you first.” Her skin itched, and she didn’t know why.
She couldn’t ever remember feeling this sort of electric pull toward someone. And she had no idea how to act normally. Logan stared back at her for a moment. He rubbed his jaw with his thumb and forefinger. She wondered if he would even answer, or if she should speed forward.
But then he said, “It was an incredible opportunity, and I grew up outside the city. My family is still there. I can make it home for Sunday dinners when I’m not working. Chicago is home. And what about you?”
Out of nowhere her pasta and salad arrived along with the group check. Logan took it from the server and set it on the other side of him.
Aubrey came over and plopped a wad of cash down. “This should cover our portion for the four of us.” She nudged her head in their direction.
They were putting their coats back on. Justin held out a jacket for his new woman then gently adjusted the lapel once she had it on.
A solid gut punch gave Brooke a stomachache.
The guy never did that for her. The woman stared up at him with goo-goo eyes.
Geez, had Brooke ever looked at Justin like that?
Maybe their relationship had been a total facade.
When she and Justin had hit it off at a small get together with Aubrey and Ian, Brooke hung onto him for dear life.
In a new city, with no other friends to speak of, she had been vulnerable to his attention.
Sure, Justin had bugged her in small ways, but with both of their chaotic work schedules they didn’t see each other too much.
The breaks of time in between gave her enough breathers to handle him and look past his annoying habits.
It probably wasn’t the most glowing recommendation for relationship goals that one wanted, but at the time it beat being alone.
Had Justin done her a favor by showing his true colors before she pledged her life to him?
Maybe.
“Okay.” Brooke snapped her attention back to Aubrey. “Are you headed home?”
“Yeah, Ian has an early shift tomorrow.” Aubrey buttoned up her jacket. “Are you guys staying? I can hang a little longer and send Ian on his way if you want.” She gave her a look like what do you want me to do.
“Brooke’s food just arrived.” Logan opened the bill folder and stuffed the cash inside from Aubrey and the other amount left on the table.
“I can stay until she finishes. I’ll make sure she makes it home okay.
You don’t need to stay behind, unless Brooke wants you to.
” He peeled open his own wallet and put more cash inside the bill folder then shut it closed.
“Umm.” Brooke picked up her fork for her salad. “Are you sure I won’t be keeping you?” Her stomach fluttered as she waited for his reply.
“Nah, I have no life besides working.” Logan leaned in closer. “I’m in no hurry to go home to an empty apartment.”
“Great.” Aubrey smiled.
Brooke stood and gave Aubrey a parting hug. Then Aubrey shimmied sideways through the crowd to the other end of the table where Ian, Justin, and the new woman waited for her return. Soon, they exited the restaurant. The tension spot between her shoulder blades finally loosened.
Logan brought his ankle up and rested it on his opposite knee. “So?” He raised a curious brow.
Her stomach growled. “Yeah—” She speared her salad and shoveled a bite into her mouth and chewed. Once she finished, she said, “Go on.” Then she went in for another fork full of salad.
“You now know why I’m here.” His lips twitched. The wrinkles around his eyes deepened as he held her gaze. “What about you? Why Chicago?”