Page 73 of What's Left of Us

“I smile.”

The smile on my face grows. “I think you want to talk to me though.”

A crease forms in between her brows. She looks different without glasses. I’ve always liked them on her, but her face is open—her eyes not hidden behind the thick frames. “How do you figure that?”

“Simple. You haven’t walked away.”

Her gaze dips down to her drink, then at the box I’m holding. She doesn’t try to dismiss me or walk away. I’m right, and we both know it.

“They’re not all for me,” I explain, not that she asked. “I’m hanging out with my buddies. They decided to make me the beer runner.”

“I’m glad you’re hanging out with friends.”

“Rather than my ex-wife?” I ask, a twinkle in my eye when I see her gaze meet mine.

That smile on her face wavers again, like there’s something she wants to say but holds back. “That’s no business of mine, Mr.—”

“Lincoln.”

She doesn’t say anything.

“I haven’t seen her in a while.”

Once again, I’m met with silence.

“Haven’t spoken to her in a while either.”

The good doctor looks down, her fingers fiddling with the bottle in her hand.

Quietly, I say, “Just in case you are wondering, Theresa.”

Her head bolts up at the sound of her name.

I lift a shoulder, not saying anything else.

Not until she speaks. “Do you do that with everyone?”

“Do what?”

“Flirt.”

Is that what I’m doing? “I’m not flirting.”

Her cheeks pinken at the assumption.

I grin. “Not yet anyway.”

She evades my eyes. “It’s not appropriate, Mr. Danforth.”

Her formality makes me chuckle. “One day, you’re going to call me Lincoln. Mark my words.”

The challenge in her straightened stance tells me she’s determined to prove me wrong. “I don’t think that day will come.”

Humming, I nod in reluctance. I don’t believe her, but I’ll let her believe I do. “That’s all right. I don’t force friendships. Or anything else.”

For the first time ever, I see her roll her eyes. It’s almost amusing to see her so normal. Gone are the business casual clothes. Her legs look good in a pair of denim jeans, and I even think she looks more attractive in the hoodie with her hair down. She’s not wearing makeup.

She’s simply…her.

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