Page 9 of Alessia
“Good, I’ve got a four-hour peds shift coming up.”
“Cool. So, about your fine ass.” Alessia says without hesitation.
“What about it?”
“I canget within whipping distance as you can see. You didn’t notice me coming up to you. You need to be more aware of your surroundings, Harper.”
My name on her lips sounds like a scolding. It makes me want to act like a stubborn kid, so I do just that.
“Who are you? My mom? Why should I be ‘aware of my surroundings’,” I say mockingly, making air quotes with my hands.
That earns me an angry look from her.
“You never know who might be watching you, waiting to attack you. We as women are vulnerable, no matter how tough you think you might be.”
That look combined with the anger in her tone makes me want to crawl into my own skin. My God she can be scary if she wants to be. I look down at my hands, my phone still clenched in them.
“Sorry.” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Her fingers find my chin and she lifts my head, her own face only a breath away from mine. If I dared, I could just lean in and place my lips on hers.
Feel her.
Taste her.
Hear her.
“Harper, look at me. It’s okay, I love that you see only good in the world. I could use some of that in my life.”
Her blue eyes search my face. Her face is a lot softer now, radiating warmth and love.
“I need to go. Those kids upstairs are waiting for me.”
“Yes,you should.” She lets go of my chin and tucks my hair behind my ear.
“What time do you get off work?” She asks.
“At eight. Why?”
“Do you see that guy over there?”
I look over her shoulder and see the same man that came to get her on the rooftop earlier this day.
“Yes, what about him?”
“That’s Elio. He’ll pick you up after work and take you to my place. I’m craving carbs and a chick flick so you’re joining me.”
“But I have plans!”
“Well, now you don’t.”
“Okay, I didn’t have any plans but I could have!”
Alessia laughs. “You’re probably just as much a workaholic as I am so that means you have little to zero personal life outside this hospital.”
I chuckle. She’s right, all that’s missing in my life is the twenty cats in my tiny apartment.
“I’ll see you tonight!” She leans in too place a soft kiss on my cheek, then winks and walks away.
