My gaze cuts to Ian. And maybe a new friend.
What more could I ask for?
It’s a good feeling—scary good, the kind that makes you hope it lasts.
Chapter twenty-three
Lucy
There must have been a full moon or something because the ER is insanely packed for a Monday morning. As soon as my shift starts, a bunch of drunken frat boys that set off leftover fireworks from the fourth of July come in with a slew of burn injuries. A few hours later, there’s a multiple car pileup, where a bunch of us are shunted to different trauma rooms. Running from corridor to corridor, I barely have time to wave at Jake before I’m off to see the next patient. I’ve been on pins and needles about our upcoming date, and I want more face time with him beforethen, but the powers that be apparently want to keep us apart until Tuesday.
The one saving grace is that we’ve been texting non-stop, the teasing messages becoming progressively more flirty. It’s like that kiss at TNT and the phone call yesterday just broke open the last remaining barrier between us, and we’re making up for lost time.
Jake: Did you grow up with a cotton ball dog?
Me: You mean a bichon. Alternatively, the cutest breed on the planet.
Jake: A fluffy white dog with a French frou frou name is just asking to be bullied by the other dogs.
Me: Ugh. You are awful. I don’t know why I even talk to you. *sticks out tongue* Yes, I grew up with a “cotton ball dog.” Her name is Mocha, and she’s 12. I miss her every day.
Jake: I knew you’d come around to my way of thinking. What kind of flowers do you like?
Me: Daisies, because they make me smile.
Jake: I like when you smile.
The message sends butterflies whirling inside of me, the corners of my lips tipping upwards involuntarily.
Can our date come any sooner?
After my shift ends, I head over to the Blackwell shopping mall to meet up with Zoe. I’m more than a little nervous to be alone with her, because while I love her intensity and fierceness most days, right now it’s intimidating. I know I need to talk to her about how my long absence affected our friendship, and I’m dreading it. Confrontation of any kind is not my strong suit.
We’re convening at Eternally 22, one of our favorite stores. When I reach the entrance, I see her off to the side, scrolling on her phone.
“Hey Zoe, sorry I’m late,” I say as I give her a brief squeeze. “The ER was a madhouse today.”
Zoe shrugs. “No big. I just got here myself. I know how it is.”
We head together into the store.
Zoe immediately beelines towards some sunglasses and tries one on. “So how’s Mr. Hottie Piano Man?”
I take a deep breath because I don’t know how she’ll respond. She won’t like the idea of me possibly falling for someone. “I…asked him out on a date.”
Zoe quirks an eyebrow, her eyes hidden behind her dark shades. “Really? When?”
“He called me yesterday morning to tell me that he wasn’t into Sam after all. And then I asked him out.” I flip through some shirts on a round rack avoiding her eyes.
“You aren’t doing something silly like falling in love with him, are you? Weren’t you the one that suggested we all swear off love this year?”
I can’t read Zoe’s tone. Is she upset?
“I know,” I say, apprehension tightening my insides. “But who knows where this is going? It’s only a first date.”
Zoe shoots me a dubious look. “I’m pretty sure one date is not going to be enough for him. I’ve never seen a guy look at someone that way—like you were the only one in the room.”
The idea that Jake could be that into me is so enticing, I’m scared by how much I want it to be true. I continue to sift through clothes. “I…guess if I’m being honest, I think I might actually like him, Zo.” I’m terrified to admit this to Zoe of all people, but the insight is too overwhelming to keep to myself.
