Page 78 of Perfect Distraction
Her gaze was intent on his, and he appreciated that she didn’t shy away from his reference to what happened.
“How do you feel this morning?” she asked.
“I’m a little achy, but it’s always like that through the weekend after chemo. Other than that, I’m great.”
“Good.” Her chest rose with her inhale. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Yes, I do. I shouldn’t have followed you in there like that, and I should have left the second you asked me to…” She shook her head.
“You were trying to help. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like I did.”
“I don’t blame you. If I’d been the one getting sick and you came in? I would have freaked out. I wouldn’t want you to see me like that. But it’s my job, my entire life’s work, to make sure people don’t go through what you did last night. And of all people, you’re the one I failed.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I had no idea you were having so much trouble after chemo, there are so many other things that can help…other medications you can try—”
Andrew shook his head. “I don’t want more drugs. I don’t even take the ones I have. That doesn’t happen every time, I promise. I don’t feel great for a few days, I’ll admit. But there’s been only one other time I’ve gotten sick like that.”
She just looked at him with those big green eyes, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “I hate this. I hate it that you’re sick. I wish I could take it from you. Or even better, that it never happened.”
“Don’t say that.” He walked around the kitchen island, coming to stand directly in front of her. “I don’t wish that. I may never have met you.”
“You technically met me at the coffee shop, before you ever came to the cancer center.”
He reached out and took one of her hands. “The only reason I stopped at The Grind House was because it was on my way to the cancer center. Plus, you said yourself you wouldn’t have given me a chance, based on that encounter alone. If God hadn’t forced your hand by putting me in your clinic, you’d never have looked at me twice.”
Her eyelids lowered marginally, and she bit her lip, causing his gaze to drop to her mouth. “I would have looked. I might have never spoken to you, but I definitely would have looked.”
He grinned, and she tilted her face up to his. Feeling bold, he moved a few inches closer, his eyes moving between her eyes and her lips. Her grip on his hand tightened.
He slowly lowered his head, watching her, waiting for an indication it wasn’t what she wanted.
“Lauren?” It was a question and a warning.
Her breath hitched, her pupils dilated, and her eyes darted to his mouth. He let go of her hand and put one arm around her, his heart beating erratically in his chest. The air sizzled between them, like a firework about to go off. There was nothing he wanted more than this woman standing before him, and he was done waiting.
“I have one treatment left. In less than two weeks, it will be over. I know I said I wouldn’t make a move until I was done, but I don’t think I can do it anymore.” He brushed her auburn hair back from her face. “If you want me to stop, tell me now.”
