She was so mortified she could barely breathe. “Yes, but it’s my fault. I know how you are with women, and I—”
“Enough.” A vein ticked in his temple. “Stop acting like I’m a sixteen-year-old virgin. I have been kissed before.”
“Still, I should’ve known better—”
“Because you’re the older one?”
Okay, she expected him to be upset, maybe even a little embarrassed, but angry? Damn it, he’d enjoyed that kiss as much as she had.
“No, Jake, because I know you.”
“Let’s just call it the heat of the moment and leave it at that.” He turned and grabbed the doorknob. “Come on. We have patients to see.”
A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it back. She was the one in the wrong, and she needed to find a way to make this tension go away. She told herself it was because she didn’t want to lose her job, but deep down, she knew it was something more.
***
Dianna entered Shirley’s diner later that night and made her way around the crowd of waiting dinner patrons. The new Mrs. Hunter greeted her with a hug. “Hey, girl, you waiting for anyone?”
“Yup, are Dianna and Trisha here yet?”
“In the back. Come on. I’ll take you to their table.”
Kate followed the owner of the café, her mouth watering from the delicious aroma of fries and burgers.
Her tummy grumbled from anticipation of being fed. Served her right for not eating anything for lunch, but after what happened with Jake earlier that morning, she didn’t feel hungry.
Her mood started to plummet when she thought about her boss. But when her friends came into view and Kate saw the beaming smile on Trisha’s face, her spirits lifted.
“Kit will be with you ladies in a moment,” Shirley said. “I’ll come back and spill about my honeymoon if I can steal a few minutes.”
Kate slid into the booth and faced the two women in anticipation. Both were about a decade younger than her, but they’d been the best of friends since Dianna moved across the street from her six years ago.
Her neighbor stood about five-foot-eight and was thin and athletic. She wasn’t a classic beauty, but she sure turned heads with that long golden blonde hair and startling emerald green eyes.
Trisha, Dianna’s cousin by marriage, was just the opposite. Nothing remarkable stood out about her individual features. Even taller than Dianna, curvy, dark golden hair and light blue eyes. But put them all together, she made a striking woman.
“There has to be one heck of a story behind that smile.”
Dianna nudged her cousin’s shoulder with hers. “Go on. Tell her.”
Trisha folded her hands on the table in a tight grasp. “The doctor gave me the all-clear for the IVF procedure.”
“Oh, Trish.” Kate placed her hand over her heart, her eyes stinging from sudden, happy tears. Trisha and Joshua Sheldon had tried for years to have a child. Hearing that it may finally happen replaced all the sad thoughts assailing her a few moments ago. “I’m so happy for you. Why aren’t you with Josh, celebrating?”
“He’s at a writer’s conference. He doesn’t know yet, so no blabbing.”
Kate made an X in the center of her chest. “Cross my heart. So when do you—”
The sight of a dark brown buzz-cut caught her attention, and the rest of her sentence lodged in her throat. Sitting across the aisle and a few booths down was Jake and a nurse Kate knew from the NICU at Seashore Cove Medical Center. He was smiling that boyish smile, his eyes crinkled at the corners.
A weight settled in Kate’s stomach—and on her heart.
“Something wrong, Katie?”
Her eyes shifted back to Dianna, praying the emotion didn’t show in her voice. “No, I just noticed Jake was here with someone. It shocked me a little.”
Trisha peeked over her shoulder, then back to her. “They make a cute couple.”
“Yeah.” Kate cleared her voice, hoping to rid herself of the frog stuck there.
“You don’t approve?”
“I don’t really know her.”
Dianna’s eyes squinted. “You and Jake seemed to be really close at the wedding. And he seems to help you a lot with your gardening.”
“We’re great friends.” Well, they were. Until she kissed him. She picked up her drink and took a sip, just for something to do.
“You know what they say. Great friends make great lovers.”
Kate nearly choked on her iced tea. “I can’t get romantic with him. He’s too young.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot about that law that states women can’t date younger men.” Trisha glared, her mouth twisted in annoyance.
“They may be fine for some women, but it’s not for me. I don’t see myself as a cougar. No offence, Dianna.”
Dianna waved away her apology. “There is a big difference between you dating a guy a few years younger and my mom stalking college campuses for freshmen.”
“Hey, at least your mom is having fun,” Trisha scolded Dianna, then turned to Kate. “What are you doing to add some thrill to your life?”
“Well, since you’re paying, I’m ordering the surf-n-turf.” Kate picked up the Dinner Specials list and hid behind it.
***
Jake fiddled with his menu, resisting the urge to hide behind it. What was he thinking bringing Donna to The Ocean Front Diner, knowing there was a possibility Kate would be here? He’d called Donna on a whim, unable to fathom the idea of another lonely night at home, obsessing over his neighbor.
Why should it matter anyway? He was allowed to go out with a woman, and God knew Kate sure wasn’t interested in him. Maybe his first date with Donna wasn’t the best, but she was smart and upbeat. He really liked her.
So why did he keep shifting his eyes over Donna’s head to get a glimpse of Kate every chance he had?
“Try waving.”
Jake pulled his gaze from the booth down the aisle and focused on his date. “I’m so sorry, what?”
“You’d get her attention a lot faster if you just wave.” With a grin, Donna picked up her soda and sucked through the straw.
Jake cleared his throat, his neck heating. “I’m not sure I want to.”
“Why not?”
“I’m her boss. And I doubt she wants to be reminded of work on her time off.”
“Uh, huh. Plus you have the hots for her.”
“That—that is not true.” Great. Now his face burned.
Donna held his stare, still sucking through her straw.
Jake’s shoulders slumped as he tossed his menu aside. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yeah, kinda.” She placed her glass down, folded her hands on the table, and leaned forward. “So why are you here with me instead of her?”
“I like you. You’re smart and interesting. You know how to have fun.”
“Well, that answers why you’re with me, but it doesn’t answer why you’re not with her.”
“She’s not interested.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because she kissed me.”
“She kissed you?” Donna let out a laugh. “Well, that sure screams ‘back off,’ doesn’t it?”
“It’s not that simple. It happened during the storm we had a few days ago. She’s afraid of thunderstorms, and the tornado really freaked her out.”
“Oh, so she kissed you during the tornado.”
“No, after.”
Donna sat back and studied him. “So it happened after the danger was gone and everything had settled down and she wasn’t afraid anymore.”
“Yeah. But it was really awkward at work today.”
“Maybe you need to take charge, show her how good things could be.”
Jake nearly barked out a laugh. “You have no idea how unlike me that is.”
“So make it like you. Time to step outside the box.”
Jake stared down the aisle again, this time catching Kate’s eye. He offered a small smile and wave. She waved b
ack, equally uncertain.
She did look a little timid. Maybe he should take charge.
And maybe he should carry around a brown paper bag to hyperventilate in.
Donna took another sip of her soda. “I’m no one’s second choice, Jake.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, realizing what a stupid decision it had been to call her. “No, you’re not. And I’m an ass.”
“I’ll be honest. I am a little pissed, but you’re not an ass.”
“Would you like to go?”
“No.” She picked up her menu and opened it. “You dragged me out here. You’re buying me dinner, and I plan on ordering an appetizer and dessert.”
Jake grinned. “Anything you want.”
“One day, when you’re over her, you’re going to realize how awesome I am. You’re going to call me, and if you’re lucky, I’ll be available.”
“I already know how awesome you are.”
“Good.” She winked. “Then we’re halfway there.”
***
The next morning, Kate stood outside the old Victorian with her hand on the doorknob, trying to reassure herself that today would be better. It had to be. She couldn’t take another day of Jake and his sudden indifference toward her.
But what if he still acted the same? What if their short-lived friendship was over and the only thing they had left to talk about was their patients?
Well, she’d just have to deal with it, wouldn’t she? She’d gotten through losing William. She sure as hell could get through this.
“You know, they work a lot better if you actually turn them.”
Kate couldn’t help but smile at Gladys’s words coming from across the parking lot. She faced her friend with a smile. “I was trying to remember if I’d left anything in my car.”
“You? Highly unlikely. But if you did,” she patted her enormous purse as she hurried toward her, “you know I have it in here.”
Chuckling, Kate opened the door and stepped into the cool interior of the doctor’s office, unsure if she was happy to see Jake’s door closed. Either he wasn’t in yet or he didn’t want to be disturbed.
She hoped for the former.
After she’d tossed her purse under the reception desk, she headed for the first exam room and the cleansers under the sink, anxious to get lost in the activity of cleaning.
Gladys followed her in. “Before you start your Martha Stewart impression, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Unease twisted her insides as she placed the chemicals on the counter. Gladys being serious was never a good sign. “Sure.”
“I had lunch with Alice the day before she and Roger left with your boys.”
“How was she?” Kate was pretty sure she already knew the answer, if their visit the day she took the boys was anything to go by.
“Looking forward to taking the kids to Niagara Falls. Not the best idea for two teenage boys, but I didn’t say that.”
“That’s also not why you stopped me from cleaning, so out with it.”
“She’s not healing.”
“I know. I talked to Roger. But she lost her only son, Gladys. Her oldest child. It takes time.”
“After almost four years, there should be at least some improvement.”
“Yes, there should.” Kate fiddled with a pair of gloves, but didn’t put them on. “What brought this on?”
Gladys closed the door. Another bad sign. “Something she said.” She leaned one hand against the counter; the other she anchored on her hip. “Are you not dating because you’re afraid it will hurt Alice?”
Kate stared at Gladys, unsure of what to say. She and her mother-in-law had been the best of friends when William was alive. She loved her like her own mother. And after what she’d told her the other day, being with someone else would definitely hurt her.
“I haven’t started dating because I haven’t met anyone I’m interested in. It’s really that simple.”
Narrowing her eyes, Gladys studied her like a germ under a microscope, but Kate didn’t flinch. If she did, she knew Gladys would immediately know she was lying.
And that was not a can of worms she wanted to open.
After a few more torturous seconds, Gladys finally straightened and smiled. “Good. I’m happy to hear that.”
Her friend left the room, and Kate went straight to work, hoping the methodic scrubbing of surfaces would purge her of the unease she felt.
She hated lying. But how could she explain to her friend that the only man she’d even looked twice at was their boss?
Not that it mattered now, since he’d moved on with Donna.
She should be happy for him. No, she would be happy for him.
She owed him that much.
Kate finished cleaning just in time to let in the first patients of the morning. Jake had come in a few minutes before, offered a quick ‘good morning,’ and then hid in his office.
She got his message loud and clear.
As she opened the front door to the waiting room, she was shocked to see Jane Ricks and her son amongst the crowd. After their last encounter, Kate was sure Jane would find another doctor, but from the smug expression on her face and the skimpy sundress she wore, she wasn’t ready to give up just yet.
“Jane, good morning. Is little Evan not feeling well again?”
“I think his ear infection is back.”
“Aw.” Kate squatted in front of the handsome young man and offered a sympathetic smile. “You know Dr. Jake is going to fix that, right?”
He nodded, but she could tell he was in pain by the way he titled his head to the side and cupped his hand over his left ear.
Kate stood and said to his mother, “Come with me. I’ll take you right now.”
Once Jane and her son were settled in the first exam room, Kate knocked on Jake’s door with a sense of hope. Even though it nearly cost Kate her job last time, dealing with Jane Ricks had been one of the catalysts that forged her and Jake’s friendship. Maybe it could work the same magic twice.
“Come in.”
Kate entered and saw Jake standing next to his desk, straightening his Scooby-Doo cap and wearing an Adventure Time T-shirt and gray jeans.
God, he looked edible.
“What’s up?” Even though his greeting was friendly, he didn’t meet her eye.
“Your first patient of the morning is in. It’s Evan Ricks.”
Jake’s whole body stiffened. “Wh-why is he here? I thought he was better.”
“And his mother is dressed for battle—if you could call what she’s wearing ‘dressed.’”
“Battle?” he whispered, his eyes searching hers.
“You could say that.” Kate never struggled so hard to keep from smiling at the pure fear on his face. This is what they needed. Something to reconnect them.
Now, maybe he could get past the awkwardness and remember how good their friendship used to be.
With a deep breath, Jake headed for the door and down the hall to the exam room. Kate followed, for the first time happy that he was uneasy around women.
When he stopped in front of the room, she could actually hear his gulp before he knocked and walked in. She came up behind him and nearly got smacked with the door.
Jake turned around, his eyes wide. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were there. Was there something else?”
She inched closer and whispered, “Aren’t I coming in with you?”
“It’s okay. I got this,” he said and then closed the door behind him.
Kate stood frozen, unable to move until the creak of the backdoor opening and the chorus of laughter announced the arrival of the office staff.
Walking across the hall to the lab, she braced herself against the counter, unprepared for the attack of hurt.
The exam room door opened. Evan came out, closing the door behind him, and ran straight for the bathroom.
A few seconds later, Jake emerged, splotches of red on his lips and cheeks. Visibly shaking, he ran hi
s hands over his face and adjusted his cap before bolting for his office.
The tears that lingered finally spilled over.
Jake would rather place himself in the path of his worst nightmare than to be in the same room with her.
***
Jake was sitting in his office when he heard the last of his employees leave. Probably Kate. She was usually the last one out.
She’d been uncharacteristically quiet today, and he had no idea why. Now that they were keeping their relationship professional, he found it a lot easier to appear cool. Refined. Maybe one day she would see him as a strong confident male and not the younger, uncoordinated ‘half a man’ he was.
Thank God she hadn’t seen the Jane Ricks debacle this morning. He’d put on a brave face, wanting to show her he could handle the woman without someone watching over him. Instead, he’d barely escaped with his clothes intact.
Getting her lipstick off hadn’t been so easy either.
Finishing his paperwork, Jake pushed the folder aside and gathered his keys and cell phone. He really didn’t want to go home, but no way would he call Donna again. Going to the pub or the café didn’t hold any appeal either.
As he walked through the rooms, turning off lights and checking doors, he wondered if he’d gone too far.
Keeping his distance had seemed the only option a few days ago. Fear of doing something stupid, like trying to flirt or even kiss her, had encouraged him to step back. But he missed being able to visit her at night. Hanging with her and the boys.
He missed her.
As Jake stepped out into the sultry air, he said a small prayer that tonight would be better than the last few.
***
A quiet house greeted Kate when she got home. She’d stopped by Susan’s house on the way from work, getting her fill of holding and cooing to her newborn niece. Kate had hoped visiting with her sister and Julia would lessen her melancholy mood—and it had, somewhat. Just not enough.
She traipsed through the empty rooms, stopping outside Drew’s bedroom. She entered and grabbed his pillow, hugging it to her breast and inhaling the clean scent of laundry detergent. She’d just gotten off the phone with them, needing something to make her drive home more pleasant. Just in case they heard about the storm, she wantedthem to know she was okay. Their reactions, so diverse, yet so typical for them. Alex was worried about any damage. Drew was pissed he’d missed it.
Crazy Little Thing Called Matchmaking Page 17