Page 13 of Merry Mayhem
He gives me that small tip of his lips that passes for his version of a smile and steps inside. I don't wait for him to sit down, just race down the hall to my room, my heart racing at the possibility of tonight.
A date?!
I think I've been asked out on a date. Excitement spirals through me, like this was a Christmas wish I didn't know I'd made. Maybe it's just for tonight, but whatever it is, I plan to enjoy every second.
A quick shower washes away the tiredness and then I'm pulling on a black skirt, topping it with a cobalt blue sweater that fits my curves perfectly, and swiping on a hint of makeup. When I see the final picture in the mirror, it's like I'm seeing a different part of myself. Finally allowed out and determined to thrive in the moment.
I give my reflection a high five and then turn away, leaving my room for a night out alone with Cooke.
13
COOKE
“This is good for you, man.”Merritt's voice on the other end of the phone call is as excited as I've heard him in a while. “I'm glad you took my advice. Finally.”
“Me too,” I hear Laurel say in the background, followed by her laughing squeal. It's easy to picture Merritt reaching for her, his big hands easily pulling her close. He'd been the kind of guy that was happy alone on his mountain. Until Laurel literally crashed into his life. There was no turning back for either of them. It had been fast and exactly perfect for them.
Now they're hosting fundraisers for an animal shelter that Laurel had interned at, raising money so they can take care of the animals and train service dogs for veterans. It's heartwarming and adorable. Even I can see that.
“Go have fun.” My friend signs off and the call ends. I stare at the screen, my mind analyzing different scenarios, the same way I would if I was trying to craft a deal.
Until Gretchen appears in front of me and I can't think about anything but her anymore.
She looks gorgeous.
She looks happy.
Then it hits me.
She looks like home.
The nerves I felt before disappear. All I want to do is pull this woman into my arms, make her gasp as I kiss her, and learn everything that she likes.
That's too much too soon, probably.
Instead, I stand and offer her my hand. The smile that lights up my face when her fingers land against mine feels completely natural.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She runs her hands down the sides of her skirt. Smoothing away something I can't see. Maybe, possibly, she's feeling a little nervous, too. Just like me. “Now, where are you taking me?”
Her eyes shine as she looks up at me, and I again have to fight back against the instinct to kiss her.
“Someplace where our options aren't just burgers and pizza.”
14
GRETCHEN
The restaurant is lovely.A candlelit lamp flickers in front of us and the tables are spaced far enough apart that we have a semblance of privacy even though we're in public.
“How long have you wanted to be a nurse?”
Cooke's question is expected, but he seems genuinely interested in what I'll say. He's leaning forward, arms braced on the tabletop, and his focus isn't on the server setting drinks in front of us or the fresh baked bread. All of his heavy attention is directed solely at me.
“Since I was thirteen.” Cooke doesn't ask anything else. He patiently waits, giving me a chance to share what really fueled my passion to help others.
“My Grandma, she took care of me and Gavin a lot. Anytime my mom couldn't, or wouldn't, Grandma stepped in. I always knew we were safe with her. Right after my thirteenth birthday, we were living with her, and she had a bad fall on the stairs. It was summertime, so I was home from school, and could take care of her every day. It was like I was paying her back for all the times she'd taken care of us. She thanked me so many times, and when she was back on her feet, she looked right at me andtold me I was the best nurse she'd ever had. That was all it took. I knew that's what I was going to be.”
