Page 82 of The Exception

“You know I’ve got you,” she said, looking Sonya up and down. “Unless they’ve changed the dress code at the hospital, I’m guessing you didn’t make it to work today?”

“I… called in sick.”

Dani’s mouth fell open and her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “Wow. That says a lot. Am I going to have to wait until the next girls night for details or do I get a teaser for being such a good friend?” Dani paused and lifted one eyebrow. “Twice.”

“What are you… ” The words trailed off when understanding dawned on Sonya. That little gift Dani had given her had come in clutch. It might’ve even saved lives because that night had been so intense that Sonya felt like she would’ve died if it hadn’t gone all the way. She was pretty sure Trav felt the same way.

Sonya’s cheeks burned but she couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her lips.

“Call me this week. Maybe we can get dinner… on me.”

Dani grinned. “Deal. Where is Trav anyway?”

“He’s waiting downstairs. His mom called just as we were coming in.”

“Tell him I said hi and that he can also thank me any time.”

Laughing, Sonya turned toward the elevator and waved over her shoulder.

“Good night, Dani.”

When she made it downstairs, Trav was leaning against the wall with his phone pressed to his ear, but when he saw her, his lips curved into a smile.

“I gotta go, Madrecita. Yes, I’ll invite you over to my place for dinner as soon as I buy a dining table.”

His cheeks turned red and Sonya could only imagine his mother getting on him about buying furniture. She couldn’t blame her. While the air mattress had been comfy, a bed was preferable. They’d gone online that morning and ordered the last mattress set they’d tested along with a bed and it was all being delivered in a week. He would just have to come to her place until then.

Seeing each other all of two days and she was already planning out their time together.

Trav finished up his call and slipped the phone into his pocket.

“Everything good?” he asked.

She nodded. “I was thinking that maybe we could stop by your place so you can pick up some things and then head back to mine? I can drop you off at your place on my way to work tomorrow so people won’t see us come in together. It’s on the way, so it’s not a big deal.”

Why was she rambling? She never rambled. She needed to get all of this out of her system before work the next day because right now, she didn’t know how to even look at Trav without thinking about the way he touched her and getting warm all over. If she didn’t get it together, everyone was going to know as soon as they saw them together.

She wasn’t sure if him spending the night at her place would help that effort, but she really wanted him to stay anyway.

Trav draped an arm over her shoulder as they headed for the garage where Dani had parked her car. “I don’t need convincing. Your place sounds good.” Ever the gentleman, he held open the car door for her before walking around to the passenger side. “Besides, I kinda like that you can’t get enough of me.”

Thirty-one

They were officially in the honeymoon phase. Sonya giggled as Trav popped one eye open to steer her up the steps toward her front door, his mouth still attached to hers.

“That was the longest car ride I’ve ever taken,” he said, letting go just long enough for her to dig out her keys in the porch light. But before she could get them in the lock, he was kissing her again.

He’d followed her to her place after work because she didn’t dare risk being seen getting into his truck in the parking garage. Now they were reenacting their first kiss on her stoop because after twenty minutes in separate vehicles, the thirty seconds it took to open the door was too long to not have her mouth on his.

This was the third night in a row that Trav would sleep in her bed. Last week it was only on the nights he wasn’t at the hospital, but the air had been so charged between them in the breakroom that day at lunch, she’d practically begged him to come over. She’d decided if she didn’t relieve some of this tension soon, all of their co-workers were going to catch on.

It was a practical decision.

“My neighbors are probably watching us,” she said against his mouth.

“Who cares?”

“I don’t but it’s brighter inside. I like when I can see you.” His scrubs were navy blue today, making his eyes glow. Ugh, she wanted to eat him.

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