I get to my feet as well, shaking the hand he offers across his desk. “Thanks again.”
I head back to the hospital around ten o'clock. I had wanted to see Jasmine again today, so I dropped her off this morning and told her I'd pick her up near the main entrance tonight.
Thoughts of Jasmine have been dominating my mind lately. I'm always wondering what she's doing any time she's not with me, wondering if she's giving her patient one of those heartwarming smiles that she gives me and wondering if they're falling in love with her warm personality.
She's outside when I pull up to the curb, but she's not alone. I narrow my eyes, my jaw clenching as I watch them chat for another minute and then say goodbye. I don't trust that guy.
“What the fuck didCurly-lockswant?” I demand the second she's seated in the passenger seat.
She laughs lightly, ignoring my rude greeting. “He has a name, you know.” When I don't respond, she continues, “He just wanted to see if I wanted to get together with him and his girlfriend when she comes to the city.”
I pull out into traffic at normal speed, even though what I really wanted to do was spin my tires in front of him and speed off down the street. I don't want to drive too fast with Jaz in the car, though. “He wants you.”
“Um, did you miss the part about the girlfriend?” she asks, grinning.
“Doesn't matter. He still wants you.”
Her grin only widens in response. “No, he doesn't.”
“Of course he does,” I mumble. “Everyone does.”
You're fucking perfect.
I didn't mean to say that last part out loud, but I realize I did when she snorts and her cheeks turn slightly pink.
“I am far from perfect.”
I just shrug. To me, she is.
After a few minutes, she turns to me again. “So, I told my brother about you.”
“You did?” I feel myself tensing up.
“I did.”
“What did you tell him?” I ask warily. Somehow I don't think the words 'illegal racing' are ones that would impress him, let alone all the rest of the stuff. That was partly what prompted the meeting today.
“I just told him that it was new.” She turns, looks out the window, and then quietly adds, “And that I like you.”
I relax again, focusing on those last three little words that make my insides feel weird. She fucking likes me, and I have no idea why.
Reaching across the car, I thread my fingers through hers and place our joined hands on the stick shift so I can still change gears while holding her hand. I always want to touch her when she's near. And when she's not near, I want her to be.
“I got you something.” I jerk my head at the space behind us. “It's in the back.”
She peeks over her shoulder. “Two bottles of bourbon?”
I quickly glance back before facing forward again. Shit. I meant to put those somewhere else. “Other side,” I tell her. “Figured you could put it by your kitchen window.”
She twists her body further around until she sees the orchid I got her, then gasps. “Cam.” She places her free hand on her chest. “That is so sweet. You didn't have to do that.”
“I know. I wanted to.”
“I love it. Thank you.” She starts waving her hand in front of her face while still staring at it. “I think I'm going to cry.”
“Don'tcry,” I tell her. That wasn't my intention when I got it for her. I can't handle tears.
Despite the liquid pooling in her eyes, the car fills with her soft laugh. “I can't help it.” Her hand continues waving in front of her face for another minute before she drops it back onto her lap.
