Page 35 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

She squats on the patch of grass next to their stoop and joyfully trots back up the stairs.

They both sit on the small sofa tucked under a sharp sloped eave of the attic studio’s pitched ceiling. Mabel munches on a dog biscuit and Nathan, a candy bar. His phone finally vibrates against his thigh, in his pocket.

It’s a message from Mark. “Hey! I get back early Tuesday morning and I have a thing on Wednesday night, but I’m free Thursday evening, if you are?” Ending the message with a little purple grinning devil emoji.

Nathan wishes it was Jamie writing back. “Thursday works for me.”

The phone chimes a response as fast as he must have received the text. “Great! I can’t wait to see you again.”

If Jamie never writes back, at least he’s got Mark to play with while he’s in town. ‘Alright Mabes. I’ve got to get back to work, but I’ll see you in a bit.”

She gazes up at him with big tender eyes. Lays her head on his lap for a moment and then walks him to the door. She knows when he’s down and tries her best to take care of her human.

Nathan gives her a pat on the head and she trots back to the sofa as he closes the door behind.

The streets are alive with people taking advantage of the weekend and last days of the season when the sun warms the air for midday teases of summer's end. Nathan gets back to the clinic and settles in. Reporting to the nurses’ station after his break.

“Nathan?” Mallory, the head nurse on duty pokes her head from behind a computer screen.

He’s surprised she knows his name. Then again, she’s the head nurse. “Yep?”

“I hate to ask, but we’ve had two nurses call out this afternoon. Is there any way…”

He interrupts, “Sure, I can stay late.” Putting on a pleasant smile.

“Thank you!” She goes back to her computer work.

Nathan makes his way to the reception doors. Sucking in a deep breath before passing through to gather his next patient.

***

Truffle is bustling with a Saturday lunch crowd. Jamie overheard one table mention a business convention in town, hosted by a local luxury hotel a few blocks away. Considering many of the guests greeted each other with familiarity, they were all likely coming from the gathering. The booze is flowing, and the tips are rolling in. It’s going to be a great day!

Sebastian is too busy to flirt back with the half dozen young professionals at the bar who are throwing themselves at him.

Jamie still isn’t settled on writing Nathan off. There’s a sinking feeling in his gut about it. Listen to your gut. The wise Andrew had said to himself. The red flags are just so concerning. Fake names, the ease with which he approached and seduced Jamie in the middle of a park? Deleted profiles that had no face pic to begin with, and then turning up on a date with Mark? He sure did attract a less than ideal sort of man. Was there a sign on his back, asking to be treated like garbage? Banana already!

Then again. He couldn’t have known Jamie worked at the restaurant. The surprise on his face verified that. He’d left a note, apologizing. Then texting back, asking to be forgiven. He was sweet after the awkward but incredibly hot encounter. The eyes, the lips, that gorgeous cherry cola dick.

He didn’t know what he was going to do. For now, he’d just wait and see what the universe would have to say about it all. He wasn’t going to write back. Unless Nathan sends another message.

A six top of buzzed and boisterous men in suits were starting to get handsy with Molly. Jamie moves in for the rescue, walking up behind her and leaning into her ear.

“I’ll take this table. Go grab a break.”

She turns to peer over her shoulder, mouthing the words Thank you. Then disappearing into the kitchen.

“Hey gents. I’m James. Can I get you anything else?”

“Another round of beers!” The, peaked in high school, former jock with a Superman coil of hair falling on his forehead requests.

“No more booze for you boys.” He deepens the tone of his voice, masking the crackling fear of toxic masculine retaliation at being cut off.

Thankfully the group laugh.

“Aww. You’re no fun James.” He pats the bulky bearded blonde hunk’s shoulder at his left. “We’ll take the check.”

Jamie’s hands shake while he walks to the servers’ station to tally their slip. Taking a deep breath before returning with a big smile. “Thanks guys.”

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