Page 18 of Fight or Flight

Several seconds passed before he replied, “Really?” He was clearly surprised that she’d accepted his invitation.

“Really. I enjoy cooking. It will give me something to look forward to,” she said. He grinned at her, sending her heart racing wildly for reasons other than the prospect of making dinner. Was she so out of touch that she’d fallen for the first attractive guy that entered her home?

“Tomorrow?” he asked.

“Perfect,” Katherine told him.

He was making this too easy. Was it because of her condition? Had he asked so he could play psychiatrist? He seemed too eager, she decided. Struck with newfound boldness, she asked, “Will I be serving Tyler or Dr. Newlon?”

Laughing, he replied, “Good question. I’d like to have dinner with you to get to know you better. I’m always Tyler and a doctor. I know where you’re headed with this; I won’t be psychoanalyzing you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Katherine guessed that he was used to this. She nodded. “I am.”

“I understand if you change your mind,” he said.

A bit too quickly, she added, “No, not at all. I just had to make sure.” Offering a shy smile, she continued. “I enjoy playing around in the kitchen.”

He laughed. It was contagious. She began to laugh with him. “Cooking. Not what we’re both thinking.” It was unbelievable that she was speaking to a complete stranger like she really knew him. It blindsided her. Maybe they would become friends.

“How does seven tomorrow evening sound?” he asked.

That was normally time she spent with her Friendlink fans, but she thought dinner with him sounded way more exciting. “Perfect.”

“Tomorrow, then,” he said, lightly brushing her cheek with his fingertips.

“Seven o’clock,” she whispered, because she was as close to speechless as she’d ever been.

Chapter Five

Katherine didn’t know how long she stood in the kitchen, her hand still on her cheek where Tyler had touched her. How could this be? One minute she felt like she would die from a panic attack . . . and now she didn’t. Had Doc spiked her coffee? Of course he hadn’t, though she couldn’t begin to understand the sudden change in her behavior. She couldn’t focus on this yet. It was crazy.

Before she could work herself into a panic attack, she went to her office and sat down in her desk chair. She booted up her computer. She needed to check on the girls and see what they were up to.

Sam and Sophie lay curled up in their usual spots. The busy afternoon running outside with Doc and the horses had worn them out. They both slept soundly, an occasional softwoofcoming from Sam. He must be having a doggy dream.

When Katherine pulled up the Friendlink page, she saw Blondebookbabe and HotandCool were chatting.

Bigfan216: Hey! What’s up?

Blondebookbabe: Shootin’ the crap, Darby.

There went the handles again. For now, she’d ignore using their first names.

Bigfan216: Cool.

HotandCool: Karrie hasn’t been on all afternoon.

Bigfan216: Is she still sick?

Blondebookbabe: Who cares?

HotandCool: Me! She seems cool.

Bigfan216: I like her too.

Blondebookbabe: I don’t like that old fart, Walter. Looked at his profile. A nurse. What a creep!!! Maybe he feels up his patients??? LOL

HotandCool: Gag! We should search hospitals, find him, and get him fired!

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