Page 27 of Dr. Alaska
Dropping her hands to her sides, she added some physical space between them. Her face burned and nerves still tingled, but she peeked up at him. It had been so long since she’d enjoyed such sensations.
Truly had never felt like this if Lee was being completely honest with herself. “Well. Okay, then.” What did someone say in this situation? “Thanks?” Lee closed her eyes. That wasn’t the right word.
“Hey,” he said.
Peeking through one eye, she spied his sheepish smile. A safe reaction. Lee could deal with a little adult embarrassment. She rubbed sweaty palms on her pants.
“So.” He pointed with both index fingers. “I’m going to head on out.”
“Have a good night.”
A gustingwhooshwas accompanied by the rise and fall of his chest. “Not a problem after that kiss.”
Her cheeks heated again as she bent to pick up the napkins and snack packaging, wadding them up in a tighter and tighter ball, like she wanted to compress the awkwardness.
“At the risk of sounding too forward,” Mav said in a serious tone of voice, “any interest in having that dinner?”
“Now?” She squeaked the word.
“No, in the next few days.”
Her thoughts whirled, but her mind was clearer than it had been in a long time.
How could this connection feel both too fast and too slow? She didn’t care. She wanted to experience more of it. “Sure,” she managed.
He nodded. “Then I’ll also let you see my babies.”
“Babies?” Oh, he had children? Okay.
Maverick winked and strode toward the lounge door. “I’ll line up our call schedules and we’ll find a time that works.”
Chapter Ten
On Tuesday thenext week, Lee slid her cafeteria tray down the line as the food service workers chatted and dished up lunch. Today’s special was Dungeness crab and wild mushroom chowder with a piece of fresh sourdough bread. Lee’s mouth watered as she inhaled the fresh aromas and swiped her employee badge at the cash register.
Thank God her meals were covered by the hospital. Lee’s credit card would barely make it to this Friday’s first paycheck. At least her new booties had arrived to replace the ones ruined in the snow. She wiggled her toes. Comfortable.
Pricey, though not as expensive as the Gianni Bini booties. See? Getting an off brand saved money. Not that anyone at the hospital would care if she showed up in tennis shoes and scrubs each day, as long as she took great care of patients.
Lee stood up straighter. It was important to project professionalism, which definitely included her attire. At some point, her salary would catch up with her debt load, and she’d be back on an even financial keel.
Until then, she would stick with free cafeteria food and discount shoes.
The hospital cafeteria had four-person tables in the center of the room as well as a line of smaller tables along one windowed wall, which was where she sat. Pushing up her maroon sweater sleeves, she picked up the spoon. At the first bite of tender crab in creamy broth with a mushroom piece flavored by thyme and shallot, she leaned back and hummed in happiness. Her eyes drifted closed as she chewed. The flavor and textures of the first bite—she’d never had anything quite like this before. The local foods tasted nothing like the down-home Southern food she was accustomed to eating.
A deep chuckle made her open one eye. “Are you open to company, or is this more of a private moment?” Maverick hovered a few feet away, holding a tray full of food. His navy EMS coat highlighted his broad shoulders.
Warmth climbed Lee’s neck. A peek at his mouth sent a flash of memory. Maverick’s arms around her and his lips nipping, tasting, opening her to his kisses. She shifted in the seat.
Then her stomach rumbled, and she caved to a different temptation. “You’re welcome to join me.”
He draped his coat on the chair behind him, sat across from her, and swiped off his beanie, running his hand through his light brown hair.
Lee’s fingers itched to smooth the tousled waves.
Then Maverick picked up a spoon and inhaled, followed by an eye-rolling, blissed-out first bite of the chowder. “Amazing as always. Chef Yuka is a genius.”
“I’ll say.” She took another spoonful then broke off a corner of fresh sourdough, dipping it in the chowder, and chewing in happiness as the tang of the dough mixed with the crab and flavorings.
