Page 62 of Dream a Little Dream

“You saidmy, which generally speaks to possession, if my English classes served their purpose.”

I frowned, such an actress. “I’m confused. What was it I said again?” That’s me. Lost as to what Kyle could possibly mean? Innocence abounded.Don’t mind me, ma’am, I’m new to this kitchen.

Kyle placed a hand on her hip. “You almost said I was yours, and you know it.”

“But I didn’t finish the thought, so it’s not out there.”

She came around the counter, eyes wide. “It’s definitely out here. You can’t put syrup back in the bottle, Savanna.”

“You’re getting a lot of mileage out of that condiment tonight.”

“Don’t deflect. Do you want me to be yours?”

I was at a loss. I impulsively wanted to say yes and tie an official bow around this thing we had going, but impulsivity was what got me in the doghouse with Charlie. “I don’t know what to say.”

She relaxed. “Say you’re hungry and that you can’t wait to taste this amazing waffle about I’m about to make you.” I loved the casual quality of her look tonight. Home from work after a busy day. Makeup faded, all but gone, still in her scrubs and tennis shoes. That weightless flutter in my chest hit that was unique to Kyle and the effect she had on me.

“I don’t know whether it’s the waffle or the show that has me more excited.” I held up a hand. “That’s a lie. I do know.”

She reached over, found my hand, and pressed her lips to the back of it.

“What was that for?” I asked. Just being around her was the salve I needed tonight. I wasn’t thinking about the confrontation with Charlie or what was going to happen at the store. Kyle had a way of whisking me away that had me grateful and surprised.

“I just like you,” Kyle said, heading back to pour the batter. “And maybe one day I’ll tell you my super-secret technique for the best waffles ever.”

“I want to know now.”

“No way,” she said, waving my Teflon spatula. “There’s an order to things. First, you have to try one.”

It was only another three minutes until the entire kitchen smelledlike a street fair in spring. My mouth watered and I realized I was much hungrier than I’d realized. My appetite was back and ready to break down the doors to get to that waffle. Two minutes after that, Kyle expertly plated mine, along with maple syrup in a small ramekin she must have found in the back of my cabinet.

I studied the fluffy waffle on the square blue plate. “I had no idea how hungry I was.” I picked up the ramekin. “And the presentation is four stars.”

“Who pours from the bottle?” she asked with a scoff. “Only the best for your first waffle à la Kyle.”

We took a bite of our waffles at the same time. The warm crispy outside gave way to the soft, buttery middle while the sweetness of the syrup offered the perfect balance. I had to work to keep my eyes from rolling back in my head, but I did hold them closed a minute.

“And?” Kyle asked.

“Busy right now,” I said with my mouth completely full. I didn’t care. “Come back later. But leave more waffles.”

“My work here is done,” she said, and placed a kiss on the side of my head. I opened my eyes to see her head to the couch with her plate. “This okay?”

“Eating on the couch. I applaud it.”

“I just don’t want to break any house rules, or you may not invite me back.”

“I think you found a surefire way through that door.” I indicated the waffle on my plate, but it was honestly so much more. I followed her to the sitting area of my living room and took a seat close by. “You called this comfort food for my rough day. Is this the kind of late dinner you indulge in when you’ve had a rough shift?”

She looked thoughtful, her perfect brows dipping as she studied her plate. “I think that’s safe to say. And for a while there, I had a lot of difficult shifts. Covid caused a lot of staffing shortages, and to this day, the big cities, especially, are doing everything they can to offer the same level of care. Nurses had it worse than us, but it was hard to be everywhere at once, and I often would come home feeling like I fell short.”

“How do you not let that drag you down day after day?” I gave my head a mystified shake.

“If you find out, let me know. I used to be better about leaving it all at the hospital, but over time, it crept in. The grief, the second-guessing, the sleepless nights. I forgot all of my self-care in the midst oflong hours and trying to keep my head above water.” Her voice had lost some of its energy, as if she’d drifted off somewhere dark. “I allowed myself to feel all the things I’d held back, and they became this tidal wave that overtook me.”

I let her words settle, causing my heart to squeeze uncomfortably. I couldn’t imagine carrying that kind of burden over a decision I made at work. If I ordered too many watermelons, nobody died. If I had to let an employee go for cause, their family would recover. “And now?”

“It’s a balance. I’m still climbing my way back from what happened. The lawsuit. The loss of my young patient. The obliteration of my confidence.” She met my gaze. “It’s been a true journey of self-discovery and repair.”

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