Page 47 of King

“Do you mind if I call you sometime in the future? Just to chat. As friends, of course.”

“Um… yeah, sure. Of course. You have my number.”

“And you have mine,” she reminds me. “I’m here if you need me at all. Take care, Jack.”

“You too,” I murmur, and disconnect the call.

I know where the hospital is but I keep an eye on the GPS map to monitor my timing. I replay the conversation with Emily, trying to figure out why she would call me. We haven’t hadcontact in so long and while I understand she’s upset about her mom’s diagnosis, I don’t understand why she’s reaching out to me for support. Not that I’d begrudge her such a thing, but there’s been nothing since our breakup to indicate we’d be there for each other like that. I know she’s not even on my radar as someone to call if I had a problem.

Ultimately, I crank my radio and put the conversation out of my mind, chalking it up to a low moment for Emily and as she said, the nostalgia dredged up by seeing my parents. I make a mental note to call Mom and ask her about it. They adored Emily.

I focus on my excitement to see Willa, not only to spend time with her but to see her in her work environment. Yeah, it’s only our third date and I don’t know if there will be a fourth, but I’m strangely proud of her accomplishments.

When I arrive at the hospital, I text Willa to let her know I’m here. She responds quickly, saying she’s finishing up with a patient and will meet me in a few minutes. After succinct directions from the receptionist at the main entrance, I locate the cafeteria and wait outside its double doors. Doctors, nurses and other support staff come in and out, often in pairs, talking about medical cases. A few double take when they recognize me, but no one stops to ask for an autograph.

And then there’s Willa, walking down a long hallway and she just fucking takes my breath away. Her hair is pulled back into a long ponytail, highlighting her graceful lines. She’s wearing her white coat, stethoscope draped around her neck and her hospital badge pinned to her chest. She looks every bit the accomplished doctor she is and shockingly, it’s the first time I actually notice the age gap between us.

Well, not exactly her age but the accomplishments she’s packed into those years. It’s a bit humbling and again, I feel a sense of pride in her.

“Hey,” she says, walking up to me with an easy smile on her face.

“Hey yourself,” I reply, running my gaze down her body and back up again. “I knew you’d look hot in a white coat.”

Willa snickers, tucking her hands into the pockets. “You’re weird.”

“I’m smitten,” I correct her and motion toward the doors. “Shall we dine?”

“Let’s,” she replies with a tart wink and precedes me in.

The cafeteria is immense, offering a buffet of hot food items, a massive salad bar, and a made-to-order grill that serves up hamburgers, Philly cheesesteaks and the like. Willa points everything out, even nodding toward refrigerated items. “They have really good sandwiches in there and I’ve heard the sushi isn’t half bad, but I refuse to eat it if I can’t see it being prepared.”

“What are you going to have?” I ask, eyeballing the grill.

“Soup and salad bar.”

“Rabbit food,” I say with a grimace. “I’m going to get a Philly cheesesteak.”

She gives me a stern look. “As a doctor, I feel compelled to advise you that’s not great for your heart.”

I lean down and kiss her cheek, noting they’re flushed when I pull back. “Duly noted, Dr. Montreaux. I promise I’ll work it off later in bed tonight if you come over.”

Those pretty cheeks turn a deeper blush and I think she might chastise me for such a bold statement in a public place, but to my surprise, she leans in with a hand to my chest. “A continuation of this date?”

I shake my head. “No, let’s make it a completely separate event. I’ve heard if I can get a girl to the fourth date, I’ve got her hook, line and sinker.”

Willa tips her head back and laughs, patting me on the chest. “You’re cute in your confidence. Go get your food and I’ll meet you at the checkout register.”

It takes a bit longer since my food is made to order so Willa waits for me with a tray holding a large salad and a cup of potato soup. Once I have my sandwich and I pay for our meals, we find a booth near the entrance doors.

“It’s busy in here,” I note as we dig in.

Willa nods, plastic fork laden with salad. “Quick in and out but the food’s not bad. So, how has your day been?”

I don’t mention Emily’s call and I’m not sure why. It seems irrelevant but mostly, I don’t want to give it any weight. Instead, I tell her about the morning practice and an interview I had to do with a local reporter after. She fills me in on her general duties when she does rounds, lamenting about one of her older patients who was admitted for pneumonia. She doesn’t divulge any confidences but expresses her genuine concern and worry, which speaks to her general empathy that she clearly has in spades. As we chat, more than one person makes the effort to say hello to Willa when they walk by, confirming she’s well known and liked by many.

“Want to go out for dinner tonight?” I ask her, since she’s committed to coming to my place. “You know… before we have casual sex.”

I can’t help but tease her about her stubborn stance on keeping things simple between us. Her eyes twinkle as she points her fork at me, I’m sure ready to hurl back a playful insult when her gaze drifts to something behind me and her eyes flare with dismay.

---