Page 27 of Healing Hearts
"Yeah?" I can't keep the grin off my face. "Fair warning though, my schedule can be pretty unpredictable. Unfortunately, accidents don’t usually happen on a time schedule."
Brooke nods, understanding in her eyes. "I get it. But we'll figure it out, right?"
"Absolutely," I squeeze her hand. "Maybe we can grab dinner later this week? I'll call you once I know my shifts." I’m trying to sound a bit nonchalant but, damn, I want her in my bed every night.
"It's a date," she says, and the warmth in her voice makes my heart skip a beat.
As we finish breakfast, I find myself reluctant to let this moment end. There's still so much I want to know about her, so many layers I want to uncover, but for now, I'm content to bask in the glow of new possibilities, savoring every second with this incredible woman who's somehow managed to slip past my carefully constructed defenses.
I watch Brooke's car disappear around the corner of the marina parking lot, her red hair catching the morning sunlight one last time before she's gone. The warmth in my chest lingers, a stark contrast to the usual emptiness I feel after a casual hookup…which this was anything but. I can't shake the image of her smile, the sound of her laughter.
Damn, I’ve got it bad.
Shaking my head, I hurry back to the boat to get ready for work. I’ve got rounds in less than an hour. As I'm buttoning up my shirt, my phone buzzes. Garrett's name flashes on the screen.
Garrett: Don't forget. Blind date tonight at 7. The Silver Willow. No bailing this time. You’ve got to be there.
"Shit," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. The last thing I want right now is a blind date. My mind's still full of Brooke, her scent, her touch. I completely forgot about this set up Garrett talked me into a few weeks ago. He was so hellbent on setting me up even though the man has been single for longer than I have been. I quickly send a reply trying to get out of it.
Me: Come on, man. I don’t want to do this. I’ve met someone and she’s amazing.
Garrett's reply is instant and he’s not letting me out of my obligation.
Garrett: No way. I've been trying to set this up for weeks. Don't let me down, bro. She’s perfect for you. More so than whatever booty call you’ve had. Trust me.
Damn it! I groan, sitting onto the edge of the bed. Brooke is anything but a booty call but explaining that to him over a text message is pointless. My longtime friend is allergic to relationships.
Shit. Am I in a relationship with Brooke? Do I want to be? As I sit on the side of the bed that is still warm from her body, the answer slams into me like a freight train.
Yes. Yes, I want to be in a relationship with Brooke Edwards. Now, how do I make sure she wants the same thing? When she left, she seemed like she was on the same page atme. We should probably talk about it the next time we’re together.
My phone buzzes again.
Garrett: Hello? Did I lose you, Loverboy?
Me: Fine. I'll be there and have dinner with her, but that’s all I’m doing. Last night was not a booty call. It was so much more and I’m going to let your friend know that as soon as she arrives.
Garrett: That's my boy! You won't regret it.
I notice my friend completely ignores what I said, but I already do regret this blind date tonight. I stare at the wall, Brooke's green eyes dancing in my mind. “What am I doing?" I ask the empty room but don’t get a reply…not that I was expecting one.
My phone pings again, but this time it's Brooke.
Brooke: Thanks for dinner last night and breakfast this morning…and everything in between. Can't stop thinking about last night…and you.
My heart races. I type back immediately.
Me: Same here. I can’t wait to see you again. I already miss you in my space. Maybe next time, we can invadeyour space.
I think about mentioning my blind date that I agreed to weeks ago to Brooke, but quickly decide better of it. I’ll just go and have dinner with whomever Garrett has set me up with and then call it a night. Brooke is the one I want, so tonight is just about honoring an obligation to a friend and nothing more.
As I finish getting ready, I can't shake the feeling that I'm making a huge mistake, but Garrett's been one of my best friends since elementary school. He's had my back through everything. I can't let him down.
"It's just one dinner," I tell my reflection in the mirror. "What's the worst that could happen?"
But as I grab my keys and head out for my day at work, Brooke's smile haunts me, and I can't help but wonder if I'm about to royally screw up the best thing that's happened to me in years.
God, I hope not.
