“You’re having a fibro flare, aren’t you?” Kayla asks. “I knew it. Lindsey, you need to rest. You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends.”
“Sure, I can,” I quip. “Because now I have a hot firefighter boyfriend that can put out the flames.”
Kayla folds her arms over her chest. “I suppose he could if he knew about your illness, but he doesn’t, does he?”
Oof. Checkmate.
“Look, I’m fine.” Kayla and Lucy lift their brows, so I clarify. “I’llbefine. I just need some coffee, and I’ll be good to go. Promise.” I grip Kayla’s arms. “Will you please, please,pleasegrab me a cup? I’ll get it after I see the first patient.”
She sighs. “Ifyou agree to go straight home after work tonight and rest. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, and definitely do not go out with your superhot boyfriend, no matter how superhot he is.”
“Okay, okay.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “Coffee. Pretty please?”
“I mean it,” she says as I squeeze past her.
“And the insurance adjuster called here for you,” she adds before I can make it far. “Said she’s been trying to reach you.”
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. I intended to call her yesterday, but it slipped my mind. The insurance company completed their investigation, and now I need to pick a company to handle the smoke mitigation. I just wish I could clear the smog in my head long enough to get my act together.
“Okay, thank you,” I say and scurry away before either of them can remind me of anything else I’ve forgotten to do.
I’m catchingup on emails while I finish scarfing down the lunch my sister got me when a knock on my office door causes me to jump, nearly knocking over my soda.
“Oliver?” I say, rising to my feet. “What are you doing here? I thought you were working today.”
He’s handsome as ever with two Southern Bean coffees in his hands. I’m grateful I took the time between patients to borrow some mascara from Kayla and also dotted some rosy-pink lipstick on my cheeks. It didn’t work miracles, but it did return some life to my face. Now, instead of sick and tired, I just look tired. I’ll take what I can get.
“Well, I was,” he says, coming around to kiss me on the cheek before handing me one of the cups. “But I ended up with the day off. I hope you don’t mind me dropping by. Kayla told me I could head on back.”
“Of course, I don’t mind,” I say as he sits across from me. “So, what are you going to do with the rest of your day?”
“Well, that’s kind of why I’m here.” He shifts in his seat and clears his throat. “The chief sent me home when he found out it was my birthday. Said he had plenty of people on and to consider it a gift.”
“Today’s your birthday? Oh my God! Happy birthday,” I say. “Oliver, why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I don’t like to make a big deal about them, mostly because there was only ever one person in my life who made them special.” He gives me a faint smile. “But I was thinking that if you don’t have plans tonight we could get dinner together. Maybe watch a movie. It doesn’t have to be anything special.”
“Of course, it does,” I say. “You deserve to be celebrated. I’m taking you out tonight.”
“You don’t have to?—”
“How about I pick you up at seven and take you to Opryland Hotel for dinner,” I say, leaning forward with my head on myhands. “We can see the lights, maybe do some ice skating. It’ll be fun.”
His eyes brighten. “Really?”
A flutter beyond the entrance of the door catches my eye. Kayla is a few feet from the opening, waving her arms like a mad woman. When she has my attention, she shakes her head, points to me, and then mimes sleeping.
I ignore her. “Of course.”
Kayla slashes her finger across her throat and pins me with a death glare before disappearing from sight.
“I’d love that,” Oliver says with a grin. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I want to spend the time with you.” I can rest tomorrow night. This is more important.
“Well,” he says, rising to his feet. “I guess I should let you get back to it. I have a couple errands I need to run.”
“Thank you for the coffee.” I maneuver around my desk to wrap my arms around him. “I needed a little pick me up, and seeing you was the icing on the cake, birthday boy.”
