Page 73 of What If I Knew You

Her sadness.

I hate this for her.

She sits up and wipes at her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m so sorry you walked into me being an absolute mess tonight. I’m not usually like this, I swear.”

My smile is faint but I study her face adoringly. The tears streaming down her cheeks, her partially wet hair, her face without makeup that allows a few freckles to show across her nose.

God, she’s pretty.

Even in this state.

She’s raw and vulnerable and isn’t trying to impress anyone.

“I think you’re gorgeous just like this, Corri.”

And I really mean that.

I don’t understand how she’s single.

She’s a ten.

The total package.

Any man would be crazy not to go after her.

I don’t get how some guy didn’t snatch her up the moment she moved back to the States.

And I have no idea how I could possibly tell her that I sort of, kind of, might have possible itsy-bitsy feelings for her.

Ugh. Yeah, okay. There’s nothing itsy-bitsy about my fucking feelings.

I like her.

I like her a lot.

Tenderly, I reach up and smooth her hair back from her face and then kiss her forehead. “It’s okay to have feelings around me. Big feelings. Small feelings. Good, bad, or otherwise. I promise you’re safe with me.”

We’re silent for a few minutes as I let her sit in her feelings because I know she needs that. I would need that if I were in her shoes. I kiss the top of her head again, noting the vanilla and coconut scent of her shampoo, and then I murmur, “I hope, for you, Corri, that when the sadness fades, you realize how much good you do for your patients. For those kids. For their parents and families. They’re really lucky to have you. The hospital is lucky to have you.”

“Thank you, Alan.”

She’s oddlyquiet and not at all like herself tonight. Obviously she’s been through the ringer today but something doesn’t feel quite right about the way she’s looking at me.

“What is it?”

Biting her bottom lip her eyes stray from mine and I can tell there’s something she isn’t telling me. “Corri, whatever it is you can tell me.”

She closes her eyes briefly this time and takes a steadying breath then says, “Someone asked me out today.”

“Asked you out?”

“Yeah.”

“Like, on a date?”

“Yeah.”

What?

---