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Those big brown eyes.
He finished his lunch and crumpled up the sandwich wrapper, along with the phone number, before tossing them both in the garbage. He didn’t even think twice about tossing the slip of paper; he just did it.
This wasn’t typical for Luc Marcella. What was wrong with him?
***
CHAPTER SIX
Kassie
The day was passing quickly at work. For no good reason, Kassie hummed to the background music in the office, carried on small talk with patients, and even helped out a co-worker with paperwork. There was no explanation for her good mood. Plus, it was only Wednesday. It wasn’t normal for someone to be this happy on a Wednesday.
“Hey, Kassie,” a voice said from the office check-out window.
It was the last patient of the day, Mr. Snow. “Hi Mr. Snow. Um, you don’t owe any co-payment for today, so you’re good to go!”
“Thanks.” He paused awkwardly at the window. His voice cracked with nervousness as he spoke up. “Uh, yeah, and please call me Rob.”
“Okay, Rob.” She tried not to grimace at the awkward silence that followed. “Can I help you with anything else?”
“Just one thing. Well, it’s nothing, really. I was… I was just wondering if you’d want to go grab a coffee sometime.”
Her stomach tensed. This wasn’t the first time she’d been asked out at work. But it never got any easier. And she gave the same answer each time. With an apologetic smile, she gently let him down. “Sorry, Rob. Thank you so much for the offer. I do appreciate it. It’s just, there are rules, and we aren’t allowed to date patients.”
Rob forced a smile, and nodded. “Sure. Right. Yeah. I get that.” His cheeks turned pink. “Figured as much. It’s cool. I had to try. Well, guess I’m all set. So… see you next time.”
Rob exited the office before she could say anything else. She wasn’t lying about the no-dating-patients rule. And he was an attractive man, probably her age. Clean cut, a slacks and loafers, polo shirts kinda guy. But he didn’t do it for her. So even if she ran into him at the mall, her answer would’ve still been no.
Her co-worker Lisa poked her head around the corner. “Another offer, Kassie?”
“Yep. Do I have a sign on me or something? ‘I’m single—please ask me out’? Or do I just look that lonely and pathetic?”
“Oh Kassie, puh-lease! Girl, you are the cutest thing in this office, and with no ring, you are prime real estate.”
“Prime real estate? What’s that supposed to mean?” It sounded ridiculous and something she never wanted to be called again.
“Just like I said, you’re the cute and sexy one in the office. Everyone knows that.”
“I wear scrubs just like everyone else,” Kassie said, tired of this conversation. “Scrubs are not sexy.”
“But you are one of the only people I know who look awesome in them,” Lisa said with a laugh. “Seriously, Kass. You look adorable in them, whereas I look like I just rolled out of bed.”
Kassie didn’t believe Lisa’s comments. No one looks hot in scrubs.
The day’s work was complete, and she couldn’t have been more relieved. The doctor was gone as well as all the patients, the paperwork was finished, and rooms ready for the next day.
Kassie grabbed her purse and keys. “Well, that’s enough of being on display for me today. I’m taking my sexy self and grabbing some greasy food to eat in front of the television. Sounds hot, huh?” She winked at her friend.
Lisa nodded and smiled. “Definitely.”
Driving home, her stomach growled. Kassie considered a nice bucket of greasy chicken, until she spotted the sign for the taco place. But after some internal debate, she chose the chicken. Since she’d been so good this week, indulging on only rabbit food, she deserved some grease.
Pulling into the nearest fried chicken place, she put the car in park and closed her eyes. She did her best to breathe and leave her day behind her. The day hadn’t been bad, yet it was exhausting. She was grateful that there were only two more days until the weekend.
The chicken place was busy for early afternoon. She ordered a bucket of chicken, because it was on special, along with two sides. She’d never eat all of this food by herself. Whatever she had left, she’d put in the break room at work tomorrow. Sitting down at a table, she wanted to eat at least one piece of chicken while it was fresh and hot. Knowing she’d take an early morning run tomorrow, she dug into the mac ’n’ cheese. Steam poured out of the container, and the aroma of the cheese was delightful.
Kassie took a bite of chicken. The crispiness of the fried breading and the grease was just what she needed after today. It was comfort food and was as cozy as it was greasy. She took a spoonful of mac ’n’ cheese, using her tongue to catch some rogue cheese sauce off the side of her mouth.
