“Yeah, when we were teasing you about catching up. She looked like a wild animal caught in a cage.” Jason gave him a sympathetic look before glancing toward the house. “We should probably grab the last few boxes. We can fit them in Dave’s truck so we can finish sometime today.”
Not sure whether to say thanks or not, he followed the other two inside. He’d seen that funny look on Denise’s face last night and, even more, felt the barrier she’d slammed into place between then. At the time he hadn’t put much thought into it; basically passed it off as his overactive imagination. It was a little hard to ignore the truth, whatever that was, though, when others were throwing it in your face.
She hadn’t called this morning and he doubted it was due to being tired. His girl was running—again. The last two times he’d let her, telling himself it was for the best. Not this time. This time he was going after her.
Chapter Seventeen
With an inward groan, Denise pulled back the curtain on the last patient of her shift. The dread turned to joy as she spotted the redhead sitting on the visitor chair instead of in the bed.
“Roan,” she exclaimed. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but are you okay? The triage nurse was a little vague.”
He unfolded his tall, athletic body and walked to her. “Well, I have been having this pain, here.” He placed his hand over his heart and her stomach clenched, while her eyes sought any other signs of distress or illness.
“How long has this been going on?” She pulled her stethoscope from around her neck.
“Ever since I got back from San Francisco.” He pulled her in for a hug that sent warm tingles through her body. “Aw, there, all better, or I will be if you agree to have dinner with me tonight.”
Cautiously, she stepped back, looking him over with a critical eye. The black suit and violet shirt turned the green of his eyes a deeper shade. His cheeks were lightly tanned from their time out west. He was the poster boy for healthy living, a fact she had appreciated since he’d first stepped out of the limo over a month ago. “What about your chest pains?”
“It was my heart hurting, not my chest. I’ve missed you.”
Relief washed through her, releasing all her tensed-up muscles. If something were to happen to this man—a friend yet more, someone who a couple of weeks ago she’d wondered if she could spend her life with—well, the thought was enough to cause tears to press against the back of her throat.
“I should order a lower GI for you for scaring me like that. Never tell a doctor you’re having pains near your heart. As much as I’d love to have dinner with you tonight, I can’t. I’m working.”
He reached out and took her hand, bringing it up to his mischievous heart. “Then let me buy you breakfast?”
“Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you in the cafeteria. It’s French toast day.” She’d agreed because she was hungry, and maybe because part of her heart had missed him too.
She gave him instructions on how to get to the cafeteria and headed into the locker room.
Jenna poked her head around the corner. “So who was patient McHottie Pants? He refused to tell triage anything other than that he had to see you.”
Denise grinned. She’d have to share his new nickname with him, and probably with Brody too. Actually, she should give Brody a call to let him know Roan was in town. At least they could get together for dinner and catch up while she had to work, and, well, she’d been putting off calling Brody all week since the dinner at his mom’s, but they needed to talk.
“Hello,” Jenna sang out. “Is that brooding look over McHottie Pants or Brody?”
“Both, actually. McHottie is, in fact, Roan from the show.”
“Some girls have all the luck. Is he here to renew his romance with you, now that Brody is out of the picture?”
Denise quickly changed out of her scrubs and into jeans, her favorite slouch sweater, and brown leather booties. “Brody’s not out of the picture. At least, I don’t think so.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m not exactly sure what he is. We haven’t had a chance to talk all week and I’m going to meet Roan for breakfast in the cafeteria. I guess I’ll find out why he’s here soon enough. See you tonight.”
As she made her way down the quiet hallway from the emergency department to the cafeteria, her mind whirled around both men. Brody . . . well, there was no denying she was half in love with the man. Probably more so. She had a deep feeling that she didn’t want to examine too closely right then that she’d never really fallen out of love with him. But things with him were complicated. They had a history, part of which he didn’t even know about.
With Roan it would be a clean start. No messy baggage to deal with, just two people getting to know each other better and falling in love. And she had no doubt she could love him. He was a great guy and any woman would count herself lucky to have him. She just didn’t know if she could fall in love with him with the tight grasp Brody had always had on her heart, even when he didn’t know it.
Entering the semibusy cafeteria, she spotted Roan across the room at a corner table flanked by two windows and away from most of the other diners. She walked up to the table to find orange juice, French toast, bacon, sausage, and eggs.
“Hope you don’t mind me picking for you. Figured after the night you must have had, you’d be tired and ready to relax, not stand in line.”
Yep, any woman would be lucky to nab this guy’s heart.
She slid into her chair, closed her eyes, and inhaled the aroma of bacon and cinnamon and spicy cologne. As she focused on the man before her, all the background noise faded away, and with the sun shining through the window, she could almost picture them back in California.
“Thank you for this.” She indicated the meal before her. The gesture had warmed her heart. “So, besides scaring the bejeebers out of me, what are you doing in Providence?”
“I have a meeting with a client in Boston. Thought I’d take a chance, come in early to see if I could spend some time with you. We never got a chance to talk after they made the announcement about the show being canceled. Steve said you had a family emergency. I hope everyone’s okay?”
She swallowed a bite of toast and washed it down with a sip of OJ. “My sister. She’s pregnant with twins and had a complication, but she’s doing better now. She even went back to work yesterday for a half day. Thanks for asking. I felt bad that I didn’t have time to say good-bye to you and Jordan. They had me on the first flight out in the morning and it’s been hectic since I got back.”
“No need to apologize. Family comes first, at least, in my book. I take it you’ve seen Brody since your return.” The tone of his voice went from casual to tinged with sadness.
Not used to anything other than an easygoing attitude from Roan, Denise looked up quickly. His smiled pulled down at the corners and the light that normally shone in his eyes dulled a bit. Pushing the leftover sausage around her plate, she knew she was about to hurt someone and she hated it, but when he’d brought up Brody’s name she’d known without a doubt she couldn’t love Roan, not the way he deserved.
“A few times. The thing is—”
“You’re in love with him again,” Roan finished for her.
“I don’t think I ever stopped. I just forgot for a while.”
“He’s a lucky guy.” Roan reached out and took her hand. “If I had to lose you to one of them, I’m glad it’s Brody. But if he breaks your heart, call me.”
“I’d be crazy not to, but maybe I should introduce you to my friend Jenna.”
He cocked his brow, a half smile gracing his face. “Why?”
“Well, she’s fabulous. After all, she’s my friend. Smart, compassionate, and she called you McHottie Pants, which I have to admit is a pretty accurate description.”
In that instant, the sadness she’d seen in his eyes a few minutes earlier lightened. Not that he’d totally replace Denise in a split second, she hoped, but maybe the idea or knowledge that someone else was drawn
to him had lightened his heart.
“Really? McHottie Pants, huh? I’ll have to add that to my résumé.” He let out a low chuckle as he caressed the back of her hand on the table. “Thanks for the intro offer, but I’m going to pass for now. I’m not really over the last woman I dated.”
His confession tugged at her heart and weighed heavily on her conscience. The minute Brody stepped out of the limo she should have come clean with the other guys, even if she didn’t have any intention of picking him; the rest deserved to know the score from the start. If only the producers had let her. Amazing what the threat of a lawsuit can get you to do. Still, she should have pushed to tell them. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel like a heartless witch who’d led them on.
“Roan, I’m sorry—”
“No. Don’t be. I had an amazing trip, met some great guys, and you. Tell me this: Did you kiss anyone else, besides me and Brody?”
Her head snapped back, her mouth dropped open, and she didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t really his business. But, in a way, it was. After all, they’d been dating. She owed him the honesty of an answer, especially after leaving without a word or any kind of closure. “No, I didn’t.”
“If they hadn’t canceled the show, would you have asked me to stay?”
“Yes.” It might have been kinder to lie, to tell him she would have ended their relationship that night, but that wasn’t her. “I really am sorry I didn’t seek you out before I left. I should have, but things were crazy with the crew running around and me trying to reach my family, though none of that excuses my poor behavior. You and Jordan both deserved more, and yes, I would have asked you to stay.”
His gaze flicked away and back, a small smile playing on his face, and he lifted his coffee cup. “To San Francisco.” They clinked their drinks together. “Don’t forget your promise to call if things don’t work out with Brody.”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
“The first to know what?” Brody’s voice boomed from behind her. One hand rested lightly on her back and he extended the other to Roan. “Good to see you, man. What brings you to our neck of the woods?”
Roan had stood to greet Brody and then released his hand to kick back in his chair with a twinkle in his eyes and a lopsided grin that told Denise he’d seen Brody coming and kept it from her.
“A little business, a little pleasure.” Roan winked at Denise as he said the last part.
Brody dropped into the chair next to her and glanced at her mostly empty plate. He stole the last sausage and set a brown bag on the table.
“Looks like I missed breakfast.”
She peeked into the bag and gave a little groan as the waft of warm blueberries slipped out. “Did you bake me muffins?”
“What would you say if I did?” His hand rested across the back of her chair with his thumb rubbing back and forth.
She took another whiff and closed the bag. “I’d say thank you and I’m impressed.”
“Me too, and you didn’t even bring me one,” Roan teased.
“Should have let me know you were coming. Could have set up something better than hospital food, unless this was a private meeting and I’m interrupting.”
“Yes,” Roan replied at the same time she said, “No.” She shot him a cut-it-out look and turned to Brody.
“You’re not. We’re just catching up because things were so hectic there that last day. Hey, I have a great idea. Because this is Roan’s first time in Providence, Brody, why don’t you show him around and then you two can go out to dinner? Maybe invite Jason and Dave along. Do a guys’ night out. I’d join you, but I need to catch some shut-eye. I’m back on at seven tonight.”
“I’m free,” Roan said.
“Yeah, sure. Great idea. Instead of inviting the guys, why don’t we make it an early dinner and then you can join us?” Not that he really wanted to share her with anyone. It’d been a week since he’d seen or talked to her, but if taking the pressure off by having a third party along made her say yes, Brody would take it.
“Uh, don’t take this wrong . . . but I’ve had my fill of group dates. Also, I’ve got to stop by the pregnant one’s house to check up on her or my mom will stroke out.” She stood up. “I’ve got to get home and get some sleep before I end up sleeping in my car.”
“You want me to drive you?” Brody and Roan offered at the same time. Brody studied the smirk on his friend’s face and wondered what he was up to.
“I feel like I’m back on the show. Thanks, but I need my car for later.”
She walked around the table and hugged Roan. “So good to see you. Call and give us a warning next time so I can make sure I have time off, and remember what I said about those chest pains.”
“Aye, aye, Doctor.” Roan hugged her again, said something in her ear that Brody couldn’t hear, and then kissed her.
His gut clenched at the sight and he had to clamp his jaw tight to keep from saying something he’d regret. Instead, he focused on clearing his vision of the white spots dancing before him.
When Roan finally released Denise, she grabbed her bag with the muffins and Brody excused himself to Roan to walk Denise out.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said as they stepped away.
“It’s work, Brody. I’ve been meaning to call, I just haven’t had time.”
“You haven’t returned any of my calls or messages. It only takes a minute to send a text or to call and say you’ve been thinking of me. Unless you haven’t missed me.”
They had reached the exit of the cafeteria and she stopped and turned to him. She stepped closer and put a hand on his chest, where her fingertips grazed the open neck and made contact with his skin. God, he’d missed this, the feel of her in his arms, the sizzle of her touch.
“It’s not that, I promise. Between work, Elysia, and helping Chel plan her wedding, I’m running on empty. I’m off Monday. Why don’t you come to my place for dinner?”
“You want Mexican, Italian, Chinese?”
“How about Thai? I could use a little hot and spicy.” A playful smile tilted one side of her mouth as she walked her fingers up his bare skin before her eyes dropped to his mouth. “Sound good?”
He swallowed once, then twice before he spoke. “Anything the lady wants is fine with me.” He slid his hands along her jawline to bury his fingers into her loose waves. Lowering his head, he stopped a scant millimeter from touching her lips with his.
“I could skip the tour, come home with you instead.”
“Tempting, very tempting, but I’m afraid I’d fall asleep on you.”
He closed his mouth over hers, swept his tongue between her open lips, and tasted the sweetness of Denise. Ignoring instinct, he took it slow and easy, reveling in the warmth flooding his body. He pulled back, gazing into her hooded eyes, which had gone almost black with desire. “Sweet dreams, Dee.”
“You play dirty,” she mumbled before she turned around and left.
He’d play anyway he had to get his way. This time she wasn’t walking away. He had every intention of winning her back completely and getting her to say “I do.” First, though, it looked like he needed to find out if he still had competition.
Roan sat at the table, looking out the window. Brody detoured through the line to grab a cup of coffee before claiming Denise’s empty seat. “What was the deal about chest pains? You okay?” He meant it. While he’d like to have his friend out of the running, he didn’t want anything bad to happen to the guy.
“Inside joke. It’s been two weeks. Are you still hanging back, letting her call all the shots, or have you found your balls and gone after her?”
Brody let out a deep, genuine laugh. “You know, that’s one of the traits I’ve appreciated about you. No punches, just straight to the point.”
“Yeah, well, if you can’t man up—”
Brody tapped his fingers on the table in a fast rhythm. “Back off, my friend. The show’s over. She made her choice . . . me.”
�
�I know. She told me.”
Brody’s fingers stilled on the tabletop. “She did?”
“Yeah, I’m just yanking your chain.” Roan sat back, took a sip of his coffee, and huffed out a breath. “Got to tell you, I came here hoping you’d blown it. That whatever the two of you had had fizzled out and she’d be ready to move on. Preferably with me. She’s still in love with you, and based on your he-man reaction, I’d say you feel the same way, but I also sensed some tension in the air. Want to tell big brother Roan all about it?”
“Big brother, huh?” Brody snorted. He’d always played the role of oldest with Jase and Dave. “Working out the dynamics. There’s a lot going on with our families, work, getting back into the rhythm of everyday life. Just giving her time to adjust.”
“Let me give you some unsolicited advice.”
“Like I could stop you.”
“No, because you’re my friend and because I care about that woman, I’m not giving you a choice. Don’t give her time to think, to adjust to being home. Sweep her off her feet. Send her flowers. Make her dinner. Take her out rock climbing or whatever it is you do around here for fun. Make her realize she can’t live without you this time.”
The guy had a point. Denise was too used to calling the shots, doing everything her way; even before she led, he followed. It was time to take charge of the situation, show her what a great team they made.
“If you’re so smart, how come you didn’t follow your own advice?” Brody asked before he drained his coffee and stood.
“Simple. I was a couple of years too late.”
Chapter Eighteen
He had baked her muffins. Damn good ones too, which she’d eaten for dinner Saturday night. It was probably too much to ask for a repeat performance Sunday morning when she got off shift, but she’d hoped, and hung around a bit, to see if Brody would show. He hadn’t, and she’d had to settle for her usual fast-food drive-through on her way home. This morning, instead of pastries, she’d found a single red rose with a note saying, “Sweet dreams, see you tonight ~B.”
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