Page 30 of Wrecked
“You don't owe me–”
“Please. Just . . . let me buy you dinner tonight or something. As a thank you.”
I watch as she worries her lower lip, and her eyes briefly follow someone walking past. “I don't get off until eleven tonight.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is eight. The day after is eleven again.”
There's something about the way she's avoiding my gaze that makes me feel like maybe she's purposely putting up roadblocks to avoid eating with me, but at the same time, I know she works a lot, so I choose to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“I tell you what. How about I order food for us tomorrow night, and it'll be ready for you when you finish work. Then, all you have to do is show up at my place.” I can see the hesitancy in her eyes as she thinks it over, which makes me think that maybe my original assessment was true. “It's just dinner. But it would make me feel better about all that you've done for me.”
Finally, she sighs. “I didn't mind doing those things for you. But if this will make you feel better.”
“It will.”
A small smile slowly starts to spread on her lips, erasing any of the doubts that appeared there a moment ago. It lights up her face as she stands, ready to return to work. “Alright, then. I guess I'll see you tomorrow night after work.”
Feeling pleased with myself, as well as relieved, I throw her a smile in return as I follow her lead and get to my feet as well. “Good. Just text me what youdon'teat. That'll make it easier.”
“Okay.”
“See you then,” I tell her, and then I watch as she takes a few steps backward, waves, and turns around to continue walking back into the building.
CHAPTER 14
JASMINE
“Oh my goodness, she's so adorable, Walter. Makes me miss my friend's little guy.” I lean in closer as he flicks to the next picture. “Look at those toes. So tiny.”
Walter beams like the proudest grandpa. “She's my little sweetness,” he says with a sigh. I bet he's dying to see her in person. He flicks over a couple more pictures and then angles his phone closer to me. “This one is my favorite.”
My eyes trail over the picture of his two-year-old grandson holding the baby tightly while staring down at her. Although they're still so little, you can already see a bond and the love he has for his little sister, and I can imagine him being a protective big brother as they grow up. It has my mind drifting to Graham and how much I miss him.
“That is the sweetest picture,” I tell him softly. “I'm so happy for you. And for them. You said they're coming to visit in about six weeks or so?”
A look of longing crosses his face. “Yeah. Not soon enough. But I am extremely grateful that they're coming to see me.” His finger hovers above the screen, tracing over their little faces before he closes out of the pictures. “You're headed home now?”
“Actually,” I start, getting to my feet and straightening out my scrubs, “You remember I told you about Cam?”
Nodding, he answers, “The handsome, mysterious guy whose stitches you removed.”
Sucking in my lip, I try to hold back a smile and nod. I hadn't gone into too much detail, but Walter was the only person I had told after I woke up at Cam's apartment and then returned a few days later because I knew he wouldn't judge me in any way.
“That's the one. Well, he sort of asked me to have dinner with him to say thank you. So I'll be heading to his apartment when I leave here. You don't think that's weird, do you?”
His eyebrows lift. “Weird? No. Love can be born out of any circumstances and appear at any time.”
“Love?” Laughter trickles past my lips. “I think you're jumping the gun a little.” Walter shrugs at my reply. “I believe in insta-lustbut not insta-love. And even then, it wasn't insta-lust when I first saw him. I just noticed him as an attractive guy like anyone would notice an attractive person passing by.” It wasn't until I started talking to him more and more that anything started to build. “I hardly know anything about him.”
Walter leans forward, taking a sip of his water, and then settles back again. “Well, that's what dinner is about. Spending time together, asking questions, getting to know each other.”
“Yes, well, I doubt he'll be answering any of my questions.” I fuss with Walter's blanket before looking up and meeting his questioning gaze. “He's barely told me a thing about himself. Even when I've asked, he doesn't answer. All he's said about himself is that he's not right or no good for me.”
Walter's eyes narrow and drift to the side of me, getting a far-off look to them like he's contemplating what I said for a minute before speaking again. “You know, in my opinion, a guy like that is more likely to be a good one. If he were truly bad or “no good,” he wouldn't try to warn you away. He'd sink his claws in, then use and abuse you until he was done. I'd say it's more likely that he's eitherdonesomething ordoessomething he's not proud of. That's indicative of a good heart underneath.” I take his words and roll them around in my mind. I've always gotten the impression that Cam is a decent guy. Maybe a little lost, but still good.“Of course, I could be completely wrong, and he really is just a shithead.”
I chuckle as I finish up with Walter's chart. “Thanks. I'll be sure to remember that he's either a good guy or a shithead.”
