Page 99 of Invisible String
She stops midway on the sidewalk and fists a hand on her hips. “Why do you think I did something?”
“I’ve known you since middle school. Now spill it.”
We continue walking. “I’m just going to blurt it. I had sex in the hospital while at work, on a hospital bed.”
Oh, titties. It’s my turn to cover my mouth. “With a doctor, nurse, or another employee?”
She shakes her head, grinning.
Oh wow. “A patient?”
“Ding, ding, you’re correct,” Lana says in a game host voice. “So, let me explain here. I had a patient who needed stitches on the side of his forehead.”
“Oh God, Lana, don’t tell me you fucked an incoherent patient.”
“Jeez, I’m not a lowlife. He was very awake and hard.”
“You’re right. Finish.”
She rolls her eyes playfully. “Okay. He’s hot, Rainey. It’s like you want to live inside him, hot. He had this accent that drove me wild. I don’t know why him telling me he got into a fight turned me on. The chemistry was nothing I’d experienced. He said, ‘You’re gorgeous.’ He was breathing, heaving as I patched him up. I was shaking. I don’t shake, Rainey.” No, she never acts out of sorts with men. Lightning strikes the night sky, and the smell of rain fills the air.
Lana continues. “We both kept our gaze on one another. He asked me some questions. You know, small talk. After I was done sewing him, we kissed, and it got heated. I told him I wanted him, and he said the same. Then he pulled his pants down, then I slid off mine, and we fucked. It was quick, but damn, it was good.”
We reach our cars. I press the fob to unlock my vehicle, then slide my bags into the back seat. I turn to Lana. “This is a crazy story, but hot. So, are you two seeing each other?”
She sucks in her bottom lip. “I told him I was going to be right back. I need to see another patient. When I came back, he was gone.”
My shoulders slump. “Did you at least get his name and number?”
She sighs heavily. “Not from him. I saw his medical chart. It doesn’t matter though. He saw it as a one-night stand. It’s stupid to think he might have been into me. At least that’s whatI thought I saw and felt.” Lana might say she’s okay with a one-night stand, but she’s honestly not. She wants more, but she hides it in her smiles and laughter. My heart breaks for her blue eyes.
“Maybe you should call him?”
“No, if he wanted more, he would have stayed to give me his number himself. I’m not going into his medical records.” She’s one hundred percent right. “He knows where to find me.”
When I wrap her in a hug, my friend smells of wildflowers and ocean breezes from all the sample perfumes she sprayed. We say our goodbyes. She drives home to her empty house, and I drive to mine. We have thought about being roommates at one point, but I know she doesn’t want me to see her take a guy home. That would imply I would see her face when another guy walks out on her, not wanting more than just her body.
My thoughts go to Max. He wants me to tie him down, but first we need to start from the beginning. But we need to begin openly, without barriers, a little at a time. He wants me to uncover who he truly is beneath all his layers. I’ll do just that, peeling them away, one by one. However, my defenses will be up, and if he wants to get through, he’ll need to earn my trust.
The café opensat six as the first light of dawn creeps over the horizon. Outside, the air is filled with the cheerful chirping of birds, and the golden rays of the sun spill across the sidewalk. I carefully place the chalkboard sign by the entrance, meticulously writing out today’s special: a decadent Nutella-stuffed croissant paired with a refreshing matcha smoothie. Pride swells in mychest as I step back to admire the café I built from the ground up. The entrance is adorned with a cascade of vibrant flowers, their petals glistening with dew, and wrapped with delicate strands of twinkling fairy lights, creating an inviting and enchanting atmosphere.
I head to the back and complete baking a hundred dozen cookies. Isabelle arrived earlier than I did to begin baking the breads that require more time in the oven. Having two new employees has really improved things. I’m thinking of adding more items to the menu.
My body erupts with flames of desire when I hear Max’s voice. “Good morning, Isabella.”
“Good morning,joven. How have you been?” Isabella asks.
Luckily, my Spanish has been sharpening up. According to Isabella, I can pronounce words perfectly.Jovenmeans young man. I think I got that right.
“I’m good. I’ve just been busy with work and boxing. How have you been?” he says in Spanish. That was easy for me to pick up. They act like they’re best friends. Well, he is here every day except Sundays.
“And you still make time to come here every day?” she says in their native tongue.
“Siempre para ella,” he answers Isabella, saying, “always for her,” and my heart flutters like a bouquet of butterflies. “Where is she?”
“In the back, making the last batch of cookies. What can I get you?” Isabella asks.
I retrieve the last batch of white macadamia nut cookies from the oven. Max orders the usual croissant with eggs, white cheddar, bacon, and avocado. And the special Matcha smoothie.
