5. Renne
Renne
Connor closes the privacy curtain as he leaves, enclosing Pete and me inside.
Pete breathes a sigh of relief. “Thank God he’s gone. What happened? What are you doing here with Connor Crossbow?”
Pete has a thing for me. I think he’s cute, I guess. He’s stable, is more like it. “It’s a long story, Dr. Olton.”
He holds my hands. “You know you can call me Pete.”
“I know.” His soft hands rub mine, warming them. “You should stay away from that man.”
“I know, believe me, but my best friend is marrying his brother.”
“Perhaps you need better friends. I can introduce you to mine. You’d love Lizzie.”
“Perhaps,” I say just to be agreeable, but I take back my hands. “I should get back on the floor.”
“Are you running late again?”
“Only a little bit. I couldn’t find a babysitter in time.”
He tsks. “You’ve been late three times in two weeks.”
How does he know that? “I’m a single mom, Pete. I’m doing my best to find everything in time. But sometimes it’s just not possible, and childcare is difficult when you have no relatives or friends around.”
“I offered to help you.”
He asked me to move in with him. That was a fast no. “I’m considering your offer.”
“I could put in a good word for you with your supervisor.”
“Would you?”
“Of course.”
Why do I get the impression he wants something in return?
“Have you thought about the movies?”
Ah, there it is. I don’t think I can refuse. It could jeopardize my job. “Yeah. I’d love to go out with you this Saturday.”
“A dinner afterward? You can meet Lizzie at her new place on 7th Street.”
“That sounds great.” NOT. Why would I want to meet another woman on a date with a man? Those are unspoken dating rules, aren’t they? What did I agree to?