Page 26 of Once Upon A Second Chance
"No love declarations before month three. No moving in. No—"
"Oh, my God you made him sign a relationship contract?"
"It's called emotional responsibility, Lena!"
The door creaks open. Richard stands frozen, holding two lunch boxes. "...Am I interrupting?"
Lena snatches the extra container. "Nope! Just leaving!" She hip-checks me on her way out. "Play nice, kids."
The door clicks shut. Silence.
Richard eyes the supply shelves. "So. This is where you hide to gossip about me?"
"Allegedly."
He steps closer, crowding me between IV bags and orthopedic braces. "Any good dirt?"
"Just that you're terrible at following rules."
His laugh is warm against my neck. "Allegedly."
By 3:00 PM, the entire clinic has developed opinions:
Nurse Patel:"They're definitely doing that tense eye-contact thing."
Dr. Holloway:"If they don't stop 'accidentally' brushing hands, I'm writing them up."
Darlene:"Called it before he even came to town."
The only one who doesn't comment?
Richard. He just... exists near me. Passing charts with lingering fingers. "Accidentally" grabbing the same pen. Smiling like he's got a secret.
And when we leave—separately, for appearances’ sake—he texts before I'm even to my car:
Richard:Ground Rule #4: No kissing at work. (Unless it's really good news.)
I bite my lip.
Me:Define "really good."
His reply is instant:
Richard:Tornado sirens go off again and we have to take cover. Obviously.
I'm still laughing when Mrs. Delaney yells from her porch: "Sounds like someone's getting lucky tonight!"
