Page 40 of Sew Matcha in Love
Awk-ward.“Well, I’ll leave you to it, then.” I turned on my heel, but he wasn’t done with me.
“Zaki? I’m a big fan. Can I get an autograph? You could sign my napkin.”
I’d learned to always be prepared to scrawl my signature. Pulling a Sharpie from my suit jacket pocket, I uncapped it and waited for him to set a clean napkin on the counter.
“Can you sign it to Doc Lansing? My patients will get a kick out of it.”
I scribbled on the napkin. “You’re a doctor? What’s your specialty?”
His face lost the starstruck chump expression. “Emergency medicine.”
I winced. “That’s tough.”
He nodded. “I’ve seen some things.”
“I’m sure.” Well, this wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be. I was hoping for a chump to mess with. This guy, while a little awkward, was a lifesaving hero.
Arwyn looked up at me and spoke for the first time since I’d walked in. “He’d like to take me to dinner on your next night off. I think that’s Wednesday?”
It wasn’t, and she knew it. My next night off was tomorrow. I got the feeling she wanted to buy time to decide whether or not she wanted to go out with the guy.
I played along. “Yeah, Wednesday, unless another meeting pops up.”
“Great.” She smiled up at me with big, grateful eyes.
It warmed my heart that she trusted me to cover for her. I also couldn’t help feeling relieved that she didn’t seem very enthusiastic about dating the doc.
I returned to the girls, who were working on activity placemats. I picked up Arwyn’s bag and set it on my lap so I could sit on the stool. The shop was filling in with people, and sitting next to the register put me in an exposed position. I looked over my shoulder to find an empty table we could move to.
But then I thought against it. My gut told me that Arwyn would feel more comfortable with three wingmen at her side. Every so often, she’d turn toward us, catch my gaze, and look away.
After the girls had a slurping contest to finish their sodas—they tied, respectively—I slid off my stool and helped them down.
“I can bring Wynnie’s bag to her, Daddy,” Amelie volunteered.
I handed it to her. “It’s heavy,” I warned.
“I got it.” She tapped Arwyn’s arm. “We’re done, Wynnie.”
Arwyn smiled and turned back to the doctor. “It was great running into you, Adler.”
“You too, Arwyn. I’ll call you.”
She nodded. “I look forward to it.”
I bit down on my lip. Her tone didn’t match her words. “We’ll wait for you outside,” I said.
“No need.” She slid off her stool. “I can wave bye to Shanna from here.”
Adler stared after her as we walked out. I held the door for her and the girls and lifted my hand in a wave.
I suddenly felt very protective of my nanny—er, the girls’ nanny. I was sure Adler was a nice guy, but I didn’t catch any vibes between them.
Also, Arwyn and Adler? What would their couple name be? Arler? Adwyn? Lansingbaughn? Wynnabingo? Ick.
Zakwyn had a much better ring to it. Or Wyki.
I stopped in my tracks. Where hadthatthought come from?
