Page 34 of Dream a Little Dream

“Oh.”

“It’s a whole thing. For another time.” She flashed a smile that didn’t feel authentic. It also didn’t give anything away. For a moment, I ached for the connection I used to feel to her. I also wanted her smile right back in place where it had been moments before.

“Oh. Again.” I blinked, my mind trying to fill in the blanks because this was wholly unexpected. I’d always imagined Kyle hard at work at the hospital back in Charleston, happy and possibly in love. Frolicking in the fields with her gorgeous fiancée, tossing glitter in the air and laughing at my humiliation. A stark reminder that sometimes my imagination was my own worst enemy. The real Kyle was nothing like the bitter fantasy. “Kyle.” I heard the softness in my voice. “Do I get to know more?”

She paused, holding eye contact with me before snapping out of whatever memory she’d been lost in. “Sure. But I have another patient to get to now. Let’s grab that drink sometime, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

Bait on a hook. What was a girl to do? “I’ll check my schedule and get back to you.” It was a lay-up that allowed me to figure it out later.

She shook her head. “No. Not good enough. Are we going to talk or not? Just be straight with me.”

“Well, if you’re going to hold my feet to the fire.”

Her eye contact was unwavering, bright blue burning a trail. “I am.”

I swallowed, affected by her in so many ways. “Okay, I don’t have anything on Tuesday night.”

“I’m free Tuesday.”

“I’d say I’ll pick you up, but I have no idea where you’ll be living at that point.”

She nodded. A strand of hair had escaped her ponytail and framed her face. Maybe by design. “Good point. My temporary landlord is giving me the boot, so I have new, not quite as quaint lodging.” She walked to the door and held it open. “Let’s meet at Ronnie’s at seven on Tuesday.” Elizabeth was watching this exchange like it was the most exciting tennis match.

I paused. “Okay, but that’s a really public venue.”

“You’re afraid to be seen with me?”

“Not in the slightest, but we will be interrupted about eighteen times, and quite possibly joined by whoever decides to pull up a chair and shoot the breeze.”

“People do shoot the breeze a lot in this town,” Elizabeth interjected. “It really is something.”

I lifted a shoulder. “So maybe somewhere that doesn’t resemble the town square with alcohol.” I hated admitting that if we were going to really talk, I’d prefer a more private exchange. But it was true. Whether I was happy about it or not, I did have a vested interest in hearing what Kyle had to say. Closure was apparently a very helpful accessory.

Elizabeth raised a finger, apparently sensing the personal direction this conversation was heading. “I’m just gonna wait out here. See what Tasha is up to.”

Kyle allowed Elizabeth to pass and walked back toward me, letting the door close behind her. “Do you know a quieter venue?” The doctor cap was off. It was Kyle the woman addressing me now. The quieter, more intimate tone in her voice sent a shiver. I’d heard it before.

“Salvador’s. It’s a really great Italian restaurant about seven minutes outside of town.” What in the world was I getting myself into? Salvador’s was quiet and cozy. Under the right circumstances, it would easily feel romantic. I didn’t want to confuse myself. At the same time, it was the most privacy we were likely to encounter in a town like this one unless I invited Kyle over to my place. But the idea of introducing her to my home felt too personal, a part of my life I didn’t want to share.

“I love pasta.”

“You gotta try Sal’s.” I kept my tone light, though my hands were tingling.

“I’ll be coming straight over from a shift, so why don’t we meet there?”

“You’re actually working here, then? Not just today.” This wasfeeling like a real job. What was I going to do if it was? I refused to panic.

“I’m helping to fill a few gaps in their schedule, but it’s going well.”

How well?I wanted to ask. The last thing in the world I needed was for Kyle to move to Dreamer’s Bay and parade through the grocery store on a weekly basis looking beautiful, dropping off donuts, and projecting success. Or maybe I wanted that very much. Dammit. What was wrong with me? My head was all over the place.

“Me, too,” I said. “The going well part. Just everything is. For me.” What was I saying? I had a sprained foot, a mystery parent, a self-centered boss, and a semi-ex I couldn’t/didn’t want to shake.

“Fantastic to hear. And things with the woman you’re dating? I’m sorry, was it Myrtle?” That had to have been on purpose.

“Her name is MJ.”

“Right.”

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