Page 73 of A Change Of Heart

She rolled her eyes, opened the door, and slid inside, shutting it between them."The door's locked now."

"Pleasant dreams."

"I'm going to dream of you all night."

With a smile on his face, Jason got back into his car and drove a few miles on Main Street, hoping to spot Carl.The man had proven he could keep his word.Perhaps he could convince him to spend a night or two outside Stephanie's door.It would mean the world to her and make up for his poor lack of judgment.Perhaps get him off the hook as well.

If not, at least he'd offer him more cash to help him get by.

His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten anything besides the lemon slice.It was half past ten and he'd gone straight to Stephanie's after work with only a power bar to keep him going.Had Steph had dinner?

Jason clicked her name on his cell phone and she picked up right away."Did you forget something?"she asked sweetly.

"Yes.To see if you'd like a late dinner.Only thing I've eaten since breakfast was a power bar and that Starbucks cake."Really, he just wasn’t ready to be out of her orbit.

"Oh, that is super thoughtful of you, but I had a huge chicken salad for lunch, and finished it off when I got home."

"No room for a little Italian?Or Nathan's Bistro?"

"I'm really exhausted.Sorry, Jason.I'll take a rain-check."

"You know the last girl who said that to me, I broke up with.Not that we were in a relationship, but our friendship ended this morning."

"Sorry to hear that."Steph waited a half-beat then said, "No, I'm not."

"I'm glad...because...”

"Because you enjoy kissing me?"

"Exactly, couldn't have put it better."He loved talking to her, reconnecting with her, but she was tired and needed her sleep."After I hear back from Heu tomorrow, I'll give you a call."

"This is exciting, isn't it?The three of us scheming to ambush your uncle.Like in the movies," she giggled."Sounds devious, but if this works we'll all be the heroes in this story.And the donor, of course."

"Right," he chuckled."I just want Nicole to live to see her son in high school.That would be a miracle."

Steph must have heard something in his tone because she asked, "Why not grow up, get married, with children of his own?"

"Because when a person is in complete renal failure and has a transplant, that new kidney is usually only good for ten years."

"Oh, Jason.I didn't know."

"Don't be sad.It buys Nicole time to help her son become an honorable man.”

"Like you?"she teased."Perfect in every way?"

"Let's not expect so much for the lad.Perfection is an art form."He didn't want to end the call."You should stick around and see for yourself."

"I can’t make any promises."

"Sleep well, I'm going to hunt me down some food."

"Goodnight," she said softly and disconnected the call.

Jason was on the outskirts of town when he spotted a man resting on a park bench.His instinct told him to stop, so he eased the car toward the bench, not wanting to startle him.Sliding his window down, he called out, "Carl, is that you?"

Didn’t work that way as the guy shot up.He rubbed his eyes, trying to see past the headlights."What if it is?"

"I'm Stephanie's friend.Picking up some fast food.Want anything?"

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