Lucky Star

by Allie Everhart

  "Me too. It's been a long day." I walk to the door, then stop. "I didn't ask. How are you feeling today?"

  "Better. I really do want to start that job soon so I can get some money. Do you think maybe I could go down there tomorrow? Just see if she has anything easy I could do?"

  "I'll talk to Alexis on my way to work. Let her know what you can and can't be doing. But I don't want you working more than an hour or two. You need to rest."

  "And look for apartments." She smiles. "Thanks for all your help, Corbin. And for the bike."

  "You're welcome. Goodnight."

  I close her door and go to my room, still angry at my dad but feeling better after seeing Star. I hope she didn't overhear too much of what my dad said. If she did, I hope she doesn't think I agree with him. I'm not worried about her suing me or stealing from me. She's not that kind of person. Since I've met her she's never asked for anything, and she keeps thanking me for helping her even though she only needs the help because of me.

  If only my father could see her the way I do, but he never will.

  I don't care what he thinks. I'm doing what makes me happy, and that's helping Star.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Star

  "So all you have to do is portion whatever coffee bean they ordered into the bag, seal it shut, then label it with the customer's name," Alexis says as she hands me the stack of order sheets. "Any questions?"

  "No, I think I got it."

  She takes off, leaving me alone in the back room.

  It's Friday, my first day on the job. I got here at ten. I asked Alexis if she had anything she'd like me to do for an hour or two and she said I could fill coffee bean orders. It's easy and I'm able to sit while I do it so I'm thinking I could work longer than I'd originally planned. The job pays fifteen dollars an hour which is way more than I expected. Knowing that, I might keep working here even after I move.

  After an hour of packing coffee, Alexis comes back to check on me.

  "How's it going?"

  "Good. Hey, I was thinking I could stay for the afternoon if you need the help."

  "I'd have no problem with it but Corbin would. He came down here this morning and gave me strict orders not to let you work too much. He said two hours max."

  "He's just being overprotective. Between my cold and my injuries he thinks I need to rest but I'm feeling much better today. My cold is almost gone and as for my injuries, I have meds to help with the pain."

  She rests her hip against the counter and folds her arms over her chest. "So tell me, Star, what's your story?"

  "What do you mean?" I set the bag I was holding down on the table. I don't like the way she asked the question, as if I'm hiding something.

  "I mean, you just show up in town with basically nothing and no reason for being here other than some job you claim to have had, and now you don't even have the job and you still want to stay here? With no friends or family in town? It doesn't seem to add up."

  "What are you implying?"

  "Nothing," she says with a shrug. "I'm just curious. That's all. Why stay here when you could go back home? Wouldn't you be more comfortable recovering at home with your family than with some stranger?"

  "My family isn't around. My brother lives with his girlfriend, my mom's in Florida with her boyfriend, and my dad works all the time. Plus, I'm not allowed to live at home. My parents have this rule about no adult children living at home."

  "Still, an apartment there would be cheaper than here." She tilts her head. "It's really odd the way your roommates just took off like that. And the timing...right after your accident?"

  What is she accusing me of? Does she think I arranged all this so I could somehow get closer to Corbin? To get to his money? I can't believe she would think that! She doesn't even know me. Did Lauren tell her to do this? Lauren seemed suspicious of me when we met. She put on a phony smile but I know she didn't like me.

  I walk over to Alexis. "Listen, I don't know what you think is going on but whatever you're thinking, it isn't true."

  "And what am I thinking?"

  "That I somehow arranged for all this to happen." I throw my hands up. "Why would I do that? Why would I purposely put myself in this situation?"

  "Hey, calm down." She puts her hand on my shoulder. "That's not what I meant. I wasn't trying to accuse you of anything. Let's just forget I said anything, okay?"

  I can't tell if she's being sincere or not. She's one of those people who seems like a good liar. I'll keep working for her but I need to keep an eye on her. Or maybe she's keeping an eye on me. Maybe that's why she hired me. I should just quit right now but I can't pass up fifteen bucks an hour.

  "I need to get back to work," I tell her.

  "Feel free to take a break if you need to." She clicks away on her heels back to the front of the coffee shop.

  That was really strange. I didn't expect her to attack me that way. I'm just going to keep quiet and do my job and make as much money as I can until I can find something else.

  I work until three, then race upstairs to call Haley, hoping she'll take my call even though she's at work.

  "Haley," I say when she answers. "Can you talk?"

  "Yeah. What's up? How are you feeling?"

  "Better. Hey, remember how I told you I got that job at a coffee shop?"

  "Yeah. Did you start yet?"

  "Today. Just for a few hours. I'm working for Lauren's friend, Alexis. I swear she only hired me so she could spy on me."

  "Spy on you? For what?"

  "To see if I'm trying to scam Corbin to get his money."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "The other night Corbin's dad came over and they had this big fight. His dad basically said I was going to sue the family and that by having me stay here, Corbin was making things worse. Like he was exposing me to all this stuff I could use against him later. Then today Alexis starts asking me what my story is, implying that I set up the whole roommates taking off thing so I'd end up homeless and need a place to live."

  "Are you kidding me? She actually said that?"

  "Well, no, but she implied it. The way she was asking the questions, it was like I was on trial."

  "You need to get out of that place, and fast. Even if you end up living with some old lady with ten cats it'd be better than living there. Those people sound creepy."

  "They're not creepy. They're just suspicious of people who don't have money."

  "That's ridiculous. You've done nothing to even hint that you'd try to take their money. If you were going to sue them, you would've done it by now. And you definitely wouldn't have agreed to live in the guy's apartment with him. That doesn't even make sense. Does Corbin think this about you too?"

  "No, not at all. That's why he was fighting with his dad. He was trying to tell him it wasn't true but his dad didn't believe him. He wants me to move out."

  "Well, I agree with his dad on that. You need to move. Have you found any apartments that might work?"

  "Not yet. Corbin and I are going to look at some places this weekend."

  "Why don't you just go alone? Take the bus. The faster you get this guy and his family out of your life the better."

  "Corbin's not the problem. He's a nice guy who genuinely wants to help me and I could really use his help. And after we look at apartments we're going to the shelter to look for dogs. He's really excited about it. I don't want to cancel on him."

  "You're helping him pick out a dog? Isn't that something a girlfriend should do?"

  "Or a friend."

  "Sounds like you two are more than friends."

  "Nothing's happened between us. I swear."

  "Do you want it to?"

  I hesitate, not answering her.

  "Star, is that what you want?"

  "Maybe, but it's not going to happen. Corbin's not interested in me that way."

  "You sure about that?"

  "Yeah. Why?"

  "He keeps having dinner with you. Finding ways to spend tim
e with you."

  "He's just being nice."

  "So he hasn't shown any interest in you? None at all?"

  "Not that I can tell. And even if he did have feelings for me, he wouldn't act on them. He can't. He's my doctor. I'm sure dating your patient is against some doctor code of ethics."

  "But he's not your doctor."

  "That's true. I keep forgetting that."

  "So if he wants to start something with you, he can."

  "If he wanted to, he would've by now."

  "Or he might be waiting until you're better."

  "I don't think so."

  "Just be careful, okay? I don't want him charming you into doing something you shouldn't. Or worse, just using you for sex."

  "Haley, I should let you go. I don't want you getting in trouble at work."

  "Call me this weekend. Let me know if you get an apartment."

  "I will. Bye."

  Does she really think Corbin would use me that way? He's not that type of guy. I know I've only known him a short time, but in that time he's been kind, considerate, caring, and concerned only about my health, not what I can offer him. He hasn't even made a pass at me.

  Corbin gets home at six, looking tired but still really hot in his work clothes, a five o'clock shadow covering his face.

  "Feeling up for a movie?" he asks, tossing his keys in the bowl. He looks down at the mail in his hand as he walks to the kitchen.

  "A movie? Tonight?"

  He shuffles through the mail, then drops it on the counter. "If you're not feeling up to it I can go by myself."

  I can hear Haley telling me not to go. To keep my distance from this guy. But she doesn't know Corbin like I do.

  "I could go. What are we seeing?"

  "Maybe that new spy one? Unless you're not into those."

  "I like spy movies."

  "Then we'll go to that one. I need to take a quick shower and change. We'll stop somewhere and eat on the way." He takes off for his room.

  We're going to dinner and a movie? Sounds like a date. I know it's not, but still, I'm not going to tell Haley about this. She'll definitely think it's a date.

  I change into a different shirt and meet Corbin in the living room.

  "You sure you're okay to go?" he asks. "I don't want to push you to do too much, especially after you worked today."

  "All I did was sit in the back and fill coffee bags. It was easy." I stuff my phone in my pocket. "I'm ready to go if you are."

  "Sit down a minute." He pulls out a chair at the dining room table.

  I take a seat. "What are we doing?"

  "I just want to check this." He kneels down and pulls up my pant leg, exposing my knee. He lifts my leg and rests it on his, then gently presses around my stitches with his fingers.

  I know he's just doing the whole doctor thing but his touch always gets me aroused. And he's not even touching me in a sexual way.

  "Any pain?" he asks.

  "Not really. Just some soreness."

  "The swelling's really come down." His fingers move over my skin, causing my heart to speed up and a warmth to spread through me. I love the feel of his hands on me. Even just having him touch my leg makes me want him to do so much more. I wish I didn't think that way about him but I can't help it. I have a huge crush on him. I know I can't act on it but that hasn't stopped me from fantasizing about it.

  "We should go," I say, pulling my leg back and lowering my jeans back to my ankle.

  As Corbin stands up, his eyes go to mine and for a moment I think he can tell he turned me on just now. I haven't been able to figure out if he knows I like him that way. I'm trying to hide it but sometimes I fear my expression gives me away. Or my fast breathing. Or the flush of my cheeks. If he notices, he doesn't say anything.

  We go to dinner at a trendy sushi place. We're surrounded by couples, all on dates, and I feel like I'm on one too. Obviously I'm not but if I were, this would be a good one. Corbin is so easy to talk to. There aren't any awkward pauses. We always find things to talk about and he's always making me laugh.

  "So how'd you meet Lauren?" I ask on our way to the movie theater.

  "You really want to talk about Lauren?" he asks.

  "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought her up. There were just all those couples on dates at the restaurant and it made me wonder how you two met."

  "Our parents are friends. I've known Lauren since we were kids."

  "Let me guess, her family's rich like yours?"

  "Yes, but that's not why I dated her." He glances at me. "I'm surprised you said that."

  "What?"

  "The money thing. It's the first time you've mentioned the fact I have money." His tone is almost accusatory, like I'm interested in his money. Maybe what his dad said to him is starting to sink in. Maybe he believes him.

  "I only said it because people from rich families tend to marry people from other rich families. Or maybe that's not true. It always seems to happen in the movies." I nervously laugh, wishing I hadn't said anything.

  "You can't trust what you see in movies. Like tonight, when you see the spy kick a guy in the head ten times and the guy's still standing? It'd never happen. After the first kick, the guy would likely have a concussion, or at the very least head trauma that would confuse and disorient him to the point he'd fall down. He might get back up but the second kick would definitely knock him down."

  I smile. "Do you always analyze movies like that? From a doctor's point of view?"

  "Not usually, but sometimes if I'm watching with med school friends we do. It used to be a game we'd use to help us study. We'd watch an action film for the fights and list off all the possible injuries the guy could have. It turned out to be a good way to study. Now it's just something we do for fun."

  "Do you have a lot of friends here?"

  "I do, but I never see them. When I was dating Lauren she'd insist we hang out with her friends, not mine. Or she'd make us hang out with her parents."

  "Did her parents like you?"

  "They did until I broke up with her. They wanted us to get married."

  "How about your parents?"

  "Same thing. They've always thought Lauren and I are a perfect match. We're both goal-oriented, high achievers."

  "Did having that stuff in common help your relationship?"

  "Not really. In some ways I think it harmed our relationship because we both put too much emphasis on our careers. It would've been better if one of us was more laid-back and could help the other person be more that way. I used to think it was good to be with someone who's just like you but now I'm thinking it'd be better to be with someone who's different. When you're too similar you butt heads."

  We arrive at the theater, and just like the restaurant, the place is full of couples, kissing and holding hands in the lobby as they wait to be let in. Corbin and I keep our distance but when I'm sitting next to him in the theater, in the dark, I have this urge to reach over and hold his hand. I wouldn't actually do it but my stupid body has a mind of its own, so just to be safe I keep my hands folded safely in my lap for the entire movie.

  "What'd you think?" Corbin asks as we get back to his apartment.

  "It was good. I haven't been to the movies forever. Thanks for taking me."

  "Thanks for being my date." He realizes what he said and laughs. "Not my actual date. You know what I meant."

  "Yeah. It was fun." I go in the kitchen, and as I reach up to get a glass a sharp pain shoots through my rib.

  "Ow!" I say, bending over, holding my ribcage.

  Corbin races over. "What happened?"

  "It's my rib. I shouldn't have reached so far." I slowly straighten up. "I'm fine now."

  "Let me see." He goes to lift my shirt.

  "No, really, I'm fine."

  "You wouldn't have reacted that way unless it really hurt."

  "You told me how much my ribs would hurt. You said they'd take a while to heal."

  "Just show me where you felt the pain." Before I can
protest, he lifts me up on the counter.

  I raise my shirt and point to the spot. "Right there."

  He does that thing with his fingers where he gently presses them along my skin. It gets me all hot and bothered, which I wish I could control but I just can't seem to do.

  "It doesn't seem to be anything serious. I think you just aggravated the bruising when you reached up to get the glass."

  I lower my shirt. "It's nice to have a doctor around every time something hurts."

  He smiles. "I'm happy to make house calls once you move out. Feel free to call or text me if you need me to check anything, at least until you find a job that has insurance." He pauses, his eyes on mine. "Or if you just want me to stop by. Say hello. Go to lunch."

  "Are you saying we'll be friends?" I ask in a tone that sounds flirty even though I didn't mean for it to.

  "Given the past few days I think we could definitely be friends. I think we already are. We may not have a lot in common but I like spending time with you. You're easy to talk to."

  "I like spending time with you too."

  Our eyes lock and I feel myself moving toward him. Toward his face. His lips. Before I can stop myself, I kiss him. It's a hesitant kiss, my lips barely touching his, afraid he might reject me. But he doesn't. So I kiss him again, for real this time, and feel his hand on the back of my head, tangling through my hair. I'm still on the counter and feel his other hand nudge my legs apart so he can get closer. The kiss becomes hotter, deeper. I move to the edge of the counter so I'm right up against him. He runs his hand up my leg, his fingers wrapping around my thigh, gently squeezing, as his thumb reaches over and presses the sensitive spot between my legs.

  My desire for him explodes, my body craving him, wanting him. I feel like I'm losing control but it feels so good I don't care. I knew we had a spark but this is more like a burning flame. He's got me hotter than I've ever felt, wanting him so bad I can't stand it. There's no going back. We have to do this.

  "Corbin?" I hear Lauren's voice behind me.

  Corbin quickly steps back. "Lauren, what are you doing here?"

  "I came to get my things." She glares at me as she drops her purse on the bench across from the elevator.

  Corbin walks over to her. "Why didn't you call first?"