Page 14 of Stat: Love In Scrubs
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I glanced up with a soft smile as I took the outstretched penny from the tips of his fingers.
“That cheap, huh?” I asked with a smile.
He shrugged with a chuckle. “The way you’ve been in deep thought since we got here, I’d go broke if I offered more.”
I playfully swatted his shoulder as we laughed, and he took the seat beside me.
“All jokes aside, just the usual things adults think about. Money, bills, dinner, and so on. Nothing too special.”
He nodded. I knew he could tell I wasn’t interested in going deeper than that. Doc seemed like he was going to say more, but then his pager went off briefly. I lifted a brow because it had been forever since I even heard of those things.
His brow rose as he pulled his cellphone from his pocket. The calm man who was speaking moments prior was gone. It was as if a switch had flipped, not in a negative way, but he became more serious.
“Damn, I didn’t hear my phone ring moments earlier. I’m glad I didn’t leave this damn pager. I have to get to the hospital. Are you guys okay? If not, I can call my mother to be here before you move onto the next thing,” he said.
He stood from the bench and waited a moment for me to respond.
“You’re fine. As long as someone is there to get Esa when we get back to Little Angels Academy.”
He nodded, then turned to walk away, but stopped and turned around to face me.
“What’s your number? I meant it when I said I wanted that date.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I rattled off my number to him. Not long after he said goodbye to Esa, I had a text.
Unknown Number: Lock me in as your future husband.
Me: A little presumptuous, wouldn’t you say?
Doc (Arrogant ass man): Nah, confident. Enjoy the aquarium.
I locked my screen, then slid my phone back into my pocket.God, give me strength where this man is concerned.
Istood in my parents' kitchen, eating a few fries from the basket my mother had beside her. She had just started dinner when I came over before my date with Liz was tonight. The crazy thing is that I hadn’t dated since my wife died. I did other things, but dates weren’t an option until her. I didn’t believe in coincidences; it was beyond unlikely that the woman my daughter talked so highly of was the same woman I had met in the club that night.
My phone buzzed, so I grabbed a napkin to clear them of the oil from the fries. I tapped the screen, and Liz’s name popped up with a text.
Liz: I can just meet you there. You don’t have to pick me up.
Me: Nah. Send the address. I’m driving.
I locked my phone and glanced up to see my mother staring intently with a smile.
“What I do?” I asked with a raise of my brow.
She shrugged her shoulders, then turned around to continue cooking.
“I can’t be happy to see my son showing all 32. So much so, your dimples have made a starring appearance.”
I ran my hand over my mouth and across my jaw. Her words only made the grin worse.
“Come on, now, Ma. Don’t do me like that.”
She smiled and continued to stir whatever she was cooking in the pot.
“I’m just saying, Son. But where are you taking her?” she asked.
