Page 33 of An Indecent Longing

Dorrie made it through breakfast with Ben without saying anything inappropriate or getting flustered and doing something stupid.

Put her in her lab coat or scrubs and she was poised and in control. Set her loose on a soccer field and she never faltered.

Put her in a room with a man she actually liked? Watch her become a bumbling, fumbling idiot. Drinks spilled, food accidentally flew across the room, or she spoke and people gasped or, worse, had to bite back laughter.

She’d gotten really good at that last one during med school until she’d learned to smile and keep her mouth shut when she was around other people.

But not with Ben. She could talk to him. He made her feel…normal.

“Are you sure I can’t give you a ride back to your apartment? It’s not a problem.”

She shook her head as she grabbed her bag from the chair by the front door. “No, but thank you. I’m headed back to my office first. I’ve got to check on Blank and I’ve got a ton of paperwork. And I usually spend a few hours helping at the clinic.”

A frown drew down his eyebrows. “Clinic?”

Nodding, she swung her purse strap over her shoulder and checked out the front window for the taxi.

“The free clinic on Market. It’s not far from my apartment or my office. I spend as much time as I can there on Saturdays.” And nights when she had nothing else to do, which was at least twice a week. Maybe Risa had a point about her being a workaholic. She shrugged. “They never have enough staff so they’re always grateful for the assist.”

And she didn’t feel as guilty about her dad’s money—

No. Not going there now.

Ben didn’t say anything else for a few seconds and she turned to see if something had happened. She found him staring at her, his gaze almost dissecting.

Then he blinked and his smile returned.

“So,” he drew the word out to at least four syllables, “I’ll pick you up at seven tonight?”

“Okay. Yes, I’d… Yes.”

Ben’s smile widened and the heat she’d seen in his eyes earlier returned.

She needed to leave before she threw herself at him and totally embarrassed herself. Luckily, the cab she’d called parked out front and beeped.

She turned for the door, but Ben had his hand on the knob before she could reach for it.

“See you tonight.”

She nodded, not sure she wouldn’t say something stupid if she opened her mouth now, and practically ran for the taxi, grateful she didn’t trip on her way to the street. Would’ve been just her luck.

Sliding into the backseat, she told the driver where she wanted to go then settled into the seat and took a deep breath and another. The driver probably thought she was a nutcase as she sucked in air and fanned her face.

Then again, the sun shone and the temperature was already in the sixties. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.

And she had a date tonight.

How pitiful was it that she was twenty-seven and felt like a teenager simply because a guy had asked her out?

Shaking her head, she dug out her phone. Risa was sure to have heard about what had happened last night and was probably about ready to call in the cavalry because Dorrie hadn’t responded to her texts.

Sure enough, Risa had blown up her phone.

Heard about shooting. You okay?

Is everything okay?

He says you’re fine. Are you fine? Call me.

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