Page 106 of Love Sick

Her finger slides down the placket of my black Henley. “Long day.”

“You should get some sleep,” I say. “Those babies won’t deliver themselves tomorrow.”

She smiles, her gaze riveted to her finger as it trails down my chest. “You busy tomorrow?”

“There are a few cases in the morning. I’ll be done by noon.”

“You want to come visit me?” A shy glance flashes. “We could eat lunch.”

“Why don’t I bring you lunch so you don’t have to eat TUMC food?”

She beams. “Chipotle?”

I chuckle and kiss her cheek. “Sure, beautiful. See you tomorrow.”

* * *

As I climb the stairs to L&D, the bag of food in my hand reminds me it’s been two weeks since we first kissed, and I need to take Grace on a real date. Takeout at the hospital doesn’t count.

Where, though?

Somewhere with margaritas.

If lime was a drug, Grace would be an addict.

In the call room, I set down the bag.

Me:I’m here.

Grace:I’m coming.

I stare at that text. If only…

Me:That’s what she said.

Grace:You wish.

Truer words.

She smiles when she enters. The door clicks behind her.

I stand and slide my phone into my pocket. “You busy today?”

She lifts her shoulder. “I don’t want to jinx it, if you know what I mean.”

Grace abides by the common medical myth—saying you’re not busy will make you busy. Chuckling, I pass her the fountain drink I brought. “So superstitious. I got you Mountain Dew.”

She glows as she takes it, smiling bright. “We should study while we eat. CREOGs are coming. Alesha works tonight, but she might meet us here.”

“Mmm-hmm.” I drag her closer and press a kiss to her cheek.

She sets the drink on a small table beside us and rises to her tiptoes. Her soft lips land on mine. Gentle. Chaste.

Unlike her desire to keep me a secret, I haven’t taken her hesitation with the sex stuff so personally. Something clearly happened in her past that makes her shrink away from intimacy. Grace’s anxiety is a fundamental part of her, one that takes finesse to dissipate. One day, she’ll tell me why she’s nervous, and earning her trust in the meantime has been an entertaining and rewarding adventure.

As usual, I hold back from the kiss, but her hand caresses my throat, sliding around my neck and into my hair. She pulls me closer.

My sanity is on such a thin thread. Her eagerness is all it takes to snap it.

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