Page 31 of The Exception

There was no way she could let it go at that.

“Where’d you learn to cook likethis, though? This is… freaking delicious,” she gushed, not the least bit ashamed of the awe in her voice.

His cheeks reddened and he stared down at his bowl like he wasn’t used to the compliment. That couldn’t be right, though. He’d probably ridden his ability to seduce a woman’s taste buds, from the kitchen, right into plenty of bedrooms.

“Thanks,” he said. “My mom taught me. Actually, she’s my stepmom. My mom died when I was a baby, so Marielle is the only mom I’ve ever known. I used to spend every afternoon helping her in the kitchen. I guess I picked up a few things. Do you cook?”

“I do when I have time.” She winced. “Which means I pretty much live on hospital food and takeout except on my days off.”

“I’ve noticed. Starbucks every morning, turkey sandwiches or salads every day at lunch, a protein bar or an apple in the afternoon, and three Mr. Goodbar miniatures when you think no one’s looking.” His smile quickly faded and his eyes went wide. “I’m sorry. I tend to notice patterns and routines and I forget how creepy that makes me sound.”

Her cheeks went warm. Pretending that his read of her wasn’t unsettling, she said, “It’s fine. If being next level creepy is how you win friends and influence people, who am I to judge?”

“Wait. Hold up. Was that… a joke? Are we friends now, Nurse Pope?”

She wanted to laugh at the exaggerated shock playing out on his face, but instead she stood and gathered her trash from the table.

“Weare going back to work because our lunch break is over,” she replied, but it was hard to be as stern as she usually was with him. “…and we’ve been working together almost a month now. You can call me Sonya.”

A satisfied smile spread across his face and she had to look away because it was practically infectious. It made her cheeks feel warm all over again. She took a deep breath and pushed the implications of that ridiculous reaction away before looking back to him.

“If I’d known feeding you was all it was gonna take for you to change your mind about me, I’d have done it day one.”

“Don’t ruin it by being cocky, Intern Travis,” she warned. “Also, thank you for sharing your lunch with me.”

That grin grew impossibly wider and he nodded. “You’re welcome, and since we’re friends now, you can call me Trav… Sonya.”

They walked side by side out of the break room and toward the elevators, and the entire time she tried to ignore how much she liked hearing her name on his lips.

Fifteen

“Why do we always eat here?” Sonya asked as she took her usual chair facing the window. It was the second Sunday of the month and they were at Blooms Cafe like they had been last month, and the month before that, and for as long as she could remember, really.

“Because the food is good,” Cat said. “And it’s mid-way between our houses.”

“It’s not anymore now that Dani is always at Dylan’s. It was different when it was just Cat living out there but now it’s fifty-percent unfair. You both had to drive eight minutes longer than me and Em to get here.”

Dani shrugged. “Yeah, but now I can just hitch a ride with Cat. Do you have a better suggestion?”

Sonya pulled her lip between her teeth and tried to think of somewhere closer but her rigid brain was part of the problem. “I guess not. It’s just, do you ever wonder how much routine weighs into our everyday decisions? What if we’re missing out on the best pancakes in town because we picked this place one day and it became comfortable and easy.”

Cat shot a look at Dani, then folded her hands on the table. “Sonya, it really feels like we’re not talking about pancakes right now.”

Dani nodded. “What’s up?”

“Is something up?” Emma arrived, shrugging off her jacket and passing out hugs before taking her seat. The red chair between Sonya and Cat, as always.

Sonya’s pulse ticked up anxiously. This wouldn’t do. “You,” she said, pushing away from the table and pointing at Emma. “Swap seats with me.”

“What?” Emma scrambled out of the chair she’d just sat down in.

Dani giggled. “Oh, boy.”

Sonya nudged Emma into the blue chair and handed over her jacket and purse. “What is goingon, Sonya?”

“I wanted this seat.” She pointed across the table. “Dani, Cat, swap.”

“No.” Cat took a sip from her water glass as if to mark it. “Tell us what this is about.”

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