Page 39 of What the Doctor Ordered
I pursed my lips. “Why do you suppose that is?” I wondered aloud.
He shrugged. “I don’t believe there is any particular reason,” he said. “I think it really is just a coincidence. The stars are aligning so that our patients are just not needing as much.”
“That sounds like a miracle in the medical field,” I quipped good-naturedly.
“It definitely is,” Simon said. He hummed thoughtfully. “Sometimes coincidences occur for the better.”
My heart rate increased exponentially. It felt like too good of an opener for me not to say anything. I swallowed thickly, trying to gather my courage. “Do you feel the same way about meeting me?”
The silence that stretched between us after that was borderline suffocating. I forced myself to keep eye contact with Simon, trying to read his facial cues. His careful mask that I’ve seen him use while on business calls was set in place. Even his eyes, which were his most expressive feature, were devoid of emotion.
He seemed to be choosing his next words carefully. “Yes, actually,” he said. “I definitely do believe that coincidence brought us together, a serendipity of timing. I definitely wouldn’t be this close to securing my father’s company if it wasn’t for you.”
“No,” I said firmly, cutting off whatever he was going to say next. “That’s not at all what I mean.”
I thought he sucked in a sharp breath, but when I met his gaze again, he still looked as calm as he always did.
“What are you trying to say then, Kiley?” he asked in a serious tone of voice.
I was practically wringing my hands in my skirt now. He hardly ever called me by my name nowadays. It was normally “sweetheart” or “brat” when I was being cheeky. Somehow, hearing my name on his lips was more painful than anything else.
“I think that coincidence brought us together too, and I hope you think it was for the better,” I said, choosing my words carefully as well. I cursed inwardly. It was as if we were playing some kind of cruel game. And I was dangerously close to losing.
Simon’s expression could be described as wary now. I tried to ignore the fear stabbing at my chest and continued. “I think that we are together now for much more than just your father’s company,” I said, hoping my voice sounded stronger than I felt. “I told you before that I have feelings for you.”
“Yes, I know that,” Simon responded, almost sounding frustrated. “You know that I am attracted to you, Kiley. I was certain that was well established.”
I grappled for anything else to say but my mind went blank as hurt started to seep through me. “It was,” I replied, stonily.
Simon nodded curtly. “Good,” he said. He gestured at my half-finished plate. “Now, please finish your food.”
I swallowed, not at all liking how this conversation played out. “But-”
“Now, Kiley,” Simon said sternly. “Unless you want to be bent over in the middle of this restaurant.”
I most definitely didn’t want that and the look on Simon’s face suggested that he most definitely wasn’t bluffing.
I felt so empty when Simon dropped me off back at my apartment right after dinner, claiming that he had an early shift in the morning and was tired. As soon as his car disappeared around the corner, I got into my own car and just started driving. I didn’t really know where I was going but being at home didn’t seem at all appealing right now.
In the end, I found myself wandering around downtown. I thought getting dessert or something would cheer me up, but I was feeling nauseous. I pulled my phone out of my bag and called Lily.
She picked up halfway through the first ring. “Kiley?” She asked, concern coloring her voice. “What’s up? You okay?”
I was about to say yes but my heart felt too heavy to lie, and I told her all about the evening.
“That bastard,” I heard her mutter once I was done. “Kiley, this is nothing. If anything, it just proves that he really does like you.”
She sounded so sure of that, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel hopeful. “How can you believe that?” I asked, hearing the doubt in my own voice.
“It’s obvious!” She exclaimed. “He just has commitment issues it sounds like. I feel like a lot of guys do. Just keep trying. You’ll wear him down eventually!”
I winced, thankful that she wasn’t in front of me so she couldn’t see my face. “Yeah, you’re probably right,” I said. “Thanks, Lily.”
“Aww I’m always here for you, Kiley,” she said. “Now come home! I think we’re long overdue for a movie night.”
I did smile at that. “Okay, I’ll be home soon.”
I hung up and turned around, starting down the road toward my car. It was going to be devastating if Simon and I didn’t work out, but I just couldn’t think that way while things were up in the air.
