Page 68 of All I Need

IT’S BEEN A LONG DAY. What started out as wonderful, being wrapped up in Walker’s arms as we held on tightly, quickly unraveled into a pit of uncertainty because of one instance.

This morning he continually found reasons for me to either be in the exam room with him and his technician, most of which were completely unfounded, or was sitting next to me as Linda went over various policies and procedures with me. He claimed that he just wanted to be in on whatever we were talking about but I knew better. The soft touches and looks made me want to shove Linda out of the way while I climbed on Walker’s lap. The desire I have for Walker is so strong and a bit overwhelming at times. As much as I love being around him, it’s a lot to take in. Working together, the constant flirting. It’s exhausting.

He asked me to join him for lunch and at first I considered saying no. We were together a lot as it was and I didn’t want either of us to get sick of each other. He noticed my hesitation and dropped it but he looked so dejected I felt like I needed to explain.

I tugged him into his office and he leaned on his desk facing me. “I want to go to lunch with you. But you… what we have is intense. I’ve never experienced something like this before and honestly, it’s a bit much.”

“You mean I’m a bit much? Am I coming on too strong?”

“Not really. It’s hard for me to explain.”

“I’d like you to try. I think we have something incredible here, Ellie. If there’s a problem, let’s get it sorted.”

“I’ve never been very affectionate with people before. It’s hard for me to give that part of myself to anyone but with us, it’s the exact opposite. It’s… easy. I don’t know how to handle that.”

His smile is blinding. “So you don’t know how to handle the fact that I’m irresistible?” I laugh and roll my eyes. “I know what you mean, Ellie girl. I feel it, too. It is overwhelming but I’d rather be overwhelmed by my feelings for you than lukewarm. But I refuse to do anything that could potentially screw this up so if you need me to back off a little while we’re working, I will.”

And that’s how we ended up ata little diner in town, scarfing down one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. It was nothing fancy but the food was amazing and it was nice to have some time to ourselves. He told me a little more about their weekend in Chicago and he asked me what Polly and I did. The conversation was light and fun.

“I’m going to dinner with Courtney tonight,” I had told him. “Some Mexican place in town. She’s making Brett drive us so we can indulge in their Monday night Margaritas.”

“El Charro,” he said, nodding his head. “It’s one of my favorite places to eat so I hope you like it.”

“What’s not to like about Mexican food?”

He smiled and we chatted some more. An hour went by far too quickly and soon we were back at the clinic.

Then…

An hour before closing time it happens. I knew it was coming. No one can look at Walker and not expect him to have hordes of women flocking for his attention.

I’m walking down the hall from the supply room to bring more treats into one of the exam rooms when I stop in my tracks.

Walker’s back is to me but I can see the woman’s face plain as day.

“Brooklyn, I’m telling you, Matilda is fine,” Walker says, grabbing the small fluff ball out of the supermodel’s arms.

“Oh Walker, how do you know for sure? Maybe if you’d come over tonight and see for yourself what I’m talking about,” the clingy viper says.

“I’ve told you before that’s not necessary.”

“Okay, then forget about her, why don’t you come over and just… you know…” she runs a fingertip up and down Walker’s arm and I have to grip the bag of treats tightly in my hands to stop myself from storming over to her and ripping out her extensions one by one.

Maybe that’s a little judgmental because I don’t actually know if she has extensions and I truly don’t really care if she does, but she’s touching Walker like she has the right to. It drives me crazy to think that maybe she does.

He takes her hand and gently removes it from his arm, making me breathe out a sigh of relief. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not? Walker, we’ve been dancing around this for months now. I know you want me as much as I want you.”

“Brooklyn…” he starts to say on a sigh but I’ve heard enough. I can’t bear to listen to another word. My heart’s lodged in my throat and I make a mad dash to the break room as tears burn the back of my eyes, willing them not to fall.

For the next hour I do my best to avoid Walker and his questioning looks and when five o’clock comes around, I dart out of the clinic like the hounds of hell are riding my ass.

Now I’m sitting on the front porch swing, waiting for Courtney to arrive so I can get tanked. Well, not really tanked but yeah, I plan to feel pretty good before we leave the restaurant.

My phone buzzes for the fifth time in my hand and I know it’s Walker.

Finally gaining the courage, I look at it.

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