AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The air was a mix of ginger, citrus, leather, and cleaners. A lot of cleaner. My nose wrinkled. Did Dr. Green clean everything up before we came?
Luke walked past the nicely decorated living room and a dining room that looked unused and pushed at a swinging door to reveal a kitchen.
Dr. Green stood by the stove, clutching a wooden spoon as he stirred at a saucepan. His kitchen was cozy. Beige kitchen titles continued the neutral color palette from the living room. There was a large kitchen island with a dark counter and stools beside it and also a breakfast nook with a small round table stuffed into it. The space was a little snug, but clean. Except for Dr. Green’s current cooking, everything else looked spotless. There wasn’t a toaster or a box of crackers sitting out or sponges around the sink. All the things he used looked brand new.
Dr. Green was bent over his saucepan. He wore tan slacks but with a purple collared shirt, unbuttoned all the way to reveal the white T-shirt underneath. There were a few red droplets splattered against the white. His sandy blond hair was sticking up a bit in the back.
“What’s for dinner?” Luke asked. He crossed the room to the stove.
“Try it,” he said. Dr. Green dipped the spoon into the red sauce, holding it out for Luke.
Luke took a bite and made a face. “Is that supposed to be Bolognese?”
Dr. Green’s face fell. “You mean it doesn’t taste like spaghetti sauce?”
“It’s bland,” Luke said. He opened cabinets next to the stove as if he was familiar with the setup. He grabbed bottles of spices and started opening them. “These still have the fresh seal. You haven’t used any of the new stuff I bought for you.”
“I’m never here.” Dr. Green dropped the spoon into the saucepan, letting Luke take over. “I’m at work. I’m at school. I sleep at work a lot more these days.”
“You shouldn’t do that,” Luke said. “Go home more. You bought this nice condo.”
“I got suckered into it,” he said. “That old Mrs. Maury said she needed to sell to get out from under it. I think she was fibbing and jacked the price up. You know me, I’m a sucker for old lady pity stories.” Dr. Green caught my stare and his face lifted into a smile. “Hello, pumpkin.”
I gave him a small wave. I stood with my arms folded at my ribs, trying to make myself small. The place looked comfortable, but it wasn’t familiar. I didn’t know what I could touch.
Dr. Green turned to Luke. “Staying for dinner?”
“No, I think I have to swing by the diner. And Kota wants me to help him with wiring Mr. Crowley. I’m going to be all over the place tonight.”
Dr. Green flashed a smile at me. “Looks like it’s just you and me. And Owen.”
“Mr. Blackbourne is coming?” I asked.
“He’s got some of your clothes and your book bag from Kota. He also has some new vitamins from Gabriel.” He pulled out one of the stools from the kitchen island. “Make yourself at home. Nice dress, by the way.”
“Thank you,” I said in a quiet voice. I climbed onto the stool, which was harder to do in wedge sandals. I propped myself up on my elbows against the counter.
“Guess I should go,” Luke said. He walked around the island, planting a kiss on my forehead. He leaned in close for a hug. His lips grazed my ear as he whispered. “Next time you and I are alone, I’m going to finish what I started. I promise. I don’t care what you’re doing. When I see you, I’ll kiss those cute lips off.” He backed away, winked at my blazing hot face and strolled out, whistling a tune I didn’t recognize. A moment later, I heard the front door open and close.
Dr. Green stirred the pot of spaghetti sauce and spooned some out. He licked it carefully, like he didn’t really want to, but needed to check it. He smacked his lips after. “Oh good. It does taste better,” he said. “I was worried he’d make it really spicy or gross.”
“He’d do that?” I asked.
Dr. Green laughed, smooth and light. “Wouldn’t be the first time.” He crossed the kitchen, planting his hands on the island across from me. He leaned in. “Talk to me, doll face. How’ve you been?”
“Fine.”
“Have we learned our lesson and won’t misbehave again?”
“I didn’t do anything,” I said, finding it hard not to try to defend myself. Of course it was the lamest excuse ever.
He reached out, beeping my nose. “No, missy, you were supposed to do nothing. You’re in hot water for not doing the easiest thing on the planet to do. Sit and do nothing.”
I pursed my lips, unable to come up with a response. There really wasn’t anything I could say.
He stared at me like he was waiting for a rebuttal. When I didn’t say anything he smirked. “Would you like something to drink?”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to impose any more than I already was.
He squinted his eyes at me for a moment and studied me. Was he trying to read my thoughts?
He reached out, gently lifting my hand up. He did it slowly as if testing me to make sure I was okay with it. He pulled my hand over closer to his face and opened it up. His fingertips traced along my palm.
“I suspect,” he said quietly, “you’re a bit nervous about staying here tonight.”
I nodded.
He continued to trace my palm, massaging the corners. “I hope you’ll like it. Because between you and me, I hope you’ll spend a bit more time over here.” His eyes lifted, meeting mine in a soothing gaze. “And not just because you’re grounded.”
My heart raced. Dr. Green was charming with his soft green eyes and his dazzling smile. Despite his tone and his effort, he was making me more nervous. I really liked him and didn’t want to disappoint.
He bent over the countertop, moving my hand up close to his face. “Kimi ga ite shiawase.”
It was Japanese, I knew. He’d said this to me before. But now, from taking his class, I knew a couple words. “Happy?” I asked quietly. “You’re happy?”
His smile brightened. “At least someone is listening in class.” He bent is head, closed his eyes, puckered his lips and kissed my knuckles lightly.
My once rapid heartbeat stilled, as did my breathing and it felt like the rest of the world had paused with me. It was just Dr. Sean Green in that moment, his lips against my skin. Unexpected, and yet it seemed like this was a completion of something he’d started to do a while ago, only he couldn’t because we’d been in class and everyone was watching.
He tilted his head up, the corner of his mouth lifting on one side. “But this time, I’m afraid you get a C.”
My mouth popped open. “What? Shiawase means happy, doesn’t it?”
“Okay. A C+, but only because you’re cute.” He winked at me, still clutching my hand. “Kimi is you, not I.”
“I’m happy?”
He shook his head. “Most of the time, in Japanese, me is implied. They don’t often talk about themselves directly. Depending on the context, you may have to assume the person is talking about himself.”
I said the words to myself again. “Kimi ga ite shiawase. ... You... make me happy.”
His brilliant smile lit up until he was nearly glowing. He released my hand and then went to fill a pot up with water. “I’ll give you some bonus points. I’d bet you’ll g
et an A next time.”
I fiddled with the cuff of my sleeve, unable to think of a reply. He was such an incredible flirt, I was learning that. I was never sure how to take him seriously. “Where did you learn Japanese?”
“I grew up with it,” he said, setting the pot of water up to boil. He brushed his hands off on his shirt and then moved away from the pot to lean against the island, his arms folded over his chest. His lean strong muscles bunched up at the biceps and around his chest. “I’m pretty fluent.”
“Is that the language your mother ... your adopted mother knew? Did you ever go to Japan?” I asked. I didn’t get that impression. His accent was light, but it was pretty southern. His mannerisms were very American. He’d made it sound before like he grew up here.
“I was in Japan for a few summers,” he said. “And some holidays. Sometimes funerals. It depended on my parents.”
“They took you over there?”
He nodded. “I wriggle myself out of going these days. I tell my mother I’m busy with the internship and she lets me get away with not going. For now.”
It was hard to imagine him with Japanese parents. I thought he’d be more excited about visiting Japan since he seemed to really like Japanese things, but I guess if he’d done it for a long time, perhaps the excitement of the adventure had worn off. “What’s she like? Your mother?”
“She’s a force to be reckoned with,” he said. “God help us both whenever we get to that stage.”
“Stage of what?”
He laughed and shook his head. “There is an etiquette to this dating thing. Eventually you have to meet each other’s parents. I guess technically I’ve already met yours, so you jumped the gun.”
My lips parted and my breath escaped me in a huff. From his tone, he was serious! He really did consider us to be dating. My heart swelled at the idea. The more I learned about him, the more I wanted to know, and liked immensely.
“And if you ever meet my mother,” he continued, the glint in his eyes brightening, “I’m hoping it’s after you’ve decided to stay. I wouldn’t put you through that otherwise.”
“I...”
“But we’re little lost destiny babies,” he said. He took my hand again, drawing it toward his face as he leaned over the counter. He pressed my palm open, massaging my hand. “So you’re going to have to stay. You can’t mess with fate.”
