Page 33 of Just One Kiss

But were they? People dated their co-workers all the time. She was an adult. He was an adult. And Dr. Willettewasa good catch. He was all of the S’s—single, straight, stable and successful. He had a lot going for him, and he was interested inher.This wasn’t the kind of thing that happened every day.

Actually, this wasn’t the kind of thing that happened ever. Her dry spell really had been embarrassingly long.

Plus, he wasn’t Josh. And regardless of what her fellow nurses thought, that was actually a huge “Pro” on the list she was making in her mind.

“What’s happening?” Sasha’s eyes widened. “Your whole expression just changed.”

Carly smiled. “I think I want to go on a date with the doctor.”

Both Justine and Sasha grinned at Carly as she pulled out her phone and scrolled until she found Dr. Willette’s (David’s) cell number. Her thumbs hovered over the keyboard and she could feel her friends watching her. Neither of them appeared to be breathing.

She quickly typedI’m in for dinner, then hit Send before she changed her mind.

Seconds later, a reply came back:Good. How’s tomorrow night?

Perfect.

She tucked the phone in the pocket of her scrubs just as the elevator arrived. Without looking at her friends, she got inside and pushed the button for their floor.

She had a date.

A wave of nerves rolled through her belly.

Oh.She had a date.

It had been a long time since she’d had to think about date things—what if she’d forgotten how to have a conversation or what to wear or what if they had nothing in common?

Or what if he wanted to kiss her at the end of the night—did she even remember how to kiss anymore?

Breathe, Carly. It’s just a date.

She’d tell herself that over and over until she believed it.

10

Josh may not fully understand everything about his son, but he did understand video games, and with Jaden on activity lockdown, that meant the two of them had hours to play.

He wasn’t complaining, and so far, Jaden wasn’t either. He had a feeling it wouldn’t last—his son’s being content with hanging out with him and not training. They’d already gone to the indoor training center twice “just to check things out.” It was nice to see Jaden so invested in something.

Hard to see him have to hold himself back from it.

Truth be told, Josh had been swatting away a singular thought on and off since Jaden’s last appointment—what if he can’t ski anymore?

If Jaden’s moodiness was any indication, he was swatting at the same idea. Too many unknowns sent the mind spinning. He’d already decided that no matter what—one of his main goals would be to try and keep Jaden’s spirits up.

For the time being, that meant a lot of Super Smash Brothers.

They were in the middle of a battle when the door opened and Carly walked in. Josh had a pizza on the way, and he hoped that by keeping an eye on Jaden he was making Carly’s life a little easier.

Jaden didn’t look up from the screen when his mom entered, but Josh did. How could he not? Even after all this time, Carly was his favorite thing to look at.

You’d think that would’ve changed considering how she felt about him, but if he was honest, it only made him want her more.

“Is this what you two have been doing all day?” She hung her purse on the hooks by the front door as Jaden killed Josh’s character and stood to cheer in victory.

“What else are we supposed to do?” Jaden asked, plopping back down on the couch. “Prison’s super fun.”

“Watch it, mister,” she said. “Have you eaten?”

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