Page 31 of Painting Her Fate

The strength, confidence, and determination this woman radiates is such a fucking turn-on.

“I’m sorry our coffee trip didn’t go as planned. Take a rain check?”Please say yes.

“Nonsense,” she insisted and my heart plummets, “dealing with your pain is more important.” Then her tone turns proud, “Don’t think you’re getting out of our coffee date.” Her eyes widen as she tries to correct her statement, “Not a date, no,” pink tinges her adorable cheeks, “Think of it as a ‘thank you for coming to my rescue’.” Her hand cups her cheek as she laughs at herself. “Not a date, Alexander.” She states boldly and I’ve gotta laugh with her.

“I knew what you meant. We can get coffee after.” I watch her face brighten and it’s my turn to lay it on thick, “kinda like the idea of a date though.”

We’ve seemed to click so far. Unless it’s just wishful thinking on my part.

Remember, Zander. Be ready for disappointment.

That laugh of hers confirms just how bad I have it. This can’t be healthy.

“Oh, you do, do ya?” She bites her lip then glances to the clock on the wall, “I need to go check on my dad. Will you be alright on yer own?”

Another deflection from her. Maybe she has someone back home?Or maybe she doesn’t see you the way you see her, and this is her way of telling you to quit while you’re ahead, jackass.

I tell my inner voice to shut the hell up and let things happen for once. Part of me says go for it, however my mind is telling me to slow my roll. No need to scare her off.

Yeah, let her see your body; that will have her running.

All the better she’s not asking to sit in the back with me.

“Mr. Gorski, you can come on back.” A nurse in dark blue scrubs announces.

We stand, I bring her hand to my lips and press a quick kiss to her knuckles. Not sure what exactly came over me right then, but it was worth it to see her cheeks glow brighter and hear her,oh, of surprise. I can’t tell if she is awe-struck or dumbfounded. The nurse taps her pen on the clipboard, a silent plea to get the show on the road.

“I guess I’ll see you in a bit?” I ask and she gives a nod, a crease in her brow. Seems to be she’s still trying to puzzle that out.

The nurse wrapped a band around my wrist then asked me to confirm my birthday, something I’m attuned to saying out of habit, “June seventeenth, nineteen-eighty-nine, ma’am.”

Shit. What else can I inadvertently reveal about myself?

Lili shoos me away. Maybe she wasn’t paying attention.

Is it weird that I have this feeling of not wanting her out of my sight?

Yeah, sounds a little too possessive.You’re in too deep, Zander.

She is like a breath of warm summer air just after a rainstorm. I already can’t get enough of her.What the hell is she doing to me?

This is a one and done thing. No way she would want you as broken as you are.That inner voice grates on my nerves but I stand firm.

No way. There was something there and once I get out here, I’m going to grow some balls. Channeling the great Wayne Gretzky, I’m going to take my shot and ask her on a real date.

Let’s just hope she’s single first.

_CHAPTER 7 – LILI_

“Bookstores always remind me that there are good things in this world.”

– Vincent Van Gogh

Grabbing a chocolate bar and bottle of water from the vending machine, I find the bay of lifts and make my way to the floor my dad now resides. The man more than likely demanded he be moved out of ICU; I just hope they approved the move due to his improving health rather than his damned stubbornness.

My thoughts wander back to everything that has happened so far this morning and as the lift stops to allow patrons on and off, the slow ride and tight compartment is not nearly as terrifying as previous times before.

This day so far is turning out comparable to the romance novels I’ve read and listened to over the years. Maybe I need to lighten up on how many audio books I listen to, clearly, they’re not good for me.

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