Page 60 of Trusting Tanner
“Yeah, I don’t really have a choice. The owner of the building lives several hours away, and today was the only time he had available to sign the lease and give me the keys.”
“All right.” Professor Leeson clapped his hands. “Grab your clipboards and move through the simulated rooms. Be sure to concisely state your diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis. Sheets are due at the end of class.”
Tanner stood, and she grabbed his wrist. He sat back down. “Will you come over to the apartment tonight? We can order some food, hang out,” she said.
The disappointment he’d felt vanished. “Consider me there.”
“Thank you.”
After working through the lab, Tanner hung up his white coat and waited for Juliana. They walked out of the building together. “What time do you want me to come over later?” he asked.
“I don’t really have a lot to move, so it shouldn’t take too long.” She shrugged. “Six?”
He nodded. “I’ll be there.”
Their faces were inches apart, and neither of them was making any effort to move away. In fact, she was slowly moving closer, taunting him.
“I’d better get going. Devon’s not a very patient person,” she finally said.
Knowing she was spending the day with Devon and Lucas grated on him, like a rash under his skin he couldn’t scratch. He clutched her chin between his fingers and peered into her eyes. Then he lowered his mouth to hers. Her soft sigh wrapped around him, and he barely found the strength to pull away.
“See you at six,” she called over her shoulder.
Tanner watched until she disappeared into the crowd, and then he headed toward class.
…
At exactly six o’clock, Tanner stood outside Juliana’s door. He knocked, and when she answered, he held out the two dozen red and white roses he’d bought for her on the way over.
“Tanner.” She took the flowers and smelled them. “They’re gorgeous. Thank you.”
He kissed her cheek. “They’re rotting weeds compared to you.”
“Thanks.” Stepping aside, she motioned for him to come in. “I need to buy furniture, but it beats sharing a room with Rebecca.”
He stepped inside and looked around. There was a lot of open space, with no walls dividing the living room and kitchen. A short hallway revealed two doors, which he assumed were the bathroom and bedroom. “This is nice,” he said.
“It’s not bad.” She closed the door. “Not nearly as nice as your place.” She carried the flowers to the kitchen and set them on the counter.
“How did Rebecca take it when she found out you were moving?”
“She called me stupid, said I was a shitty person for choosing you over her, and then said she really didn’t give a flying fuck what I did.” She filled a vase with water. “It went better than I expected.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re out of there.”
“Me, too.”
He stood behind her and slid his arms around her stomach, nuzzling his face against her neck. “Mmm, I’ve missed you.”
He turned her to face him, and she put her arms around his neck, leaning into his embrace. God, she felt perfect in his arms.
“Oh yeah? How much?” she asked.
“There aren’t words for how much.”
“Good answer.”
He adjusted his hold, drawing her closer. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”
