“I was mad as hell at him for leaving us,” he said between clenched teeth. “But he was still my father. I should have helped him—”
“Don’t blame yourself.” She touched his hand. “There’s no way you could have known he was sick.”
“You know how many people in those places are sick and forgotten? Nobody gives a damn about them.”
She grimaced. “It must be terrible.”
“It’s not bad enough they’re dying. They have to do it alone.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
She couldn’t have surprised him more if she told him she was in love with him. “You’d really want to help?”
“Of course. What can I do?”
That question just reinforced his feelings for her. He’d never met anyone like Bella and knew he never would again. That’s why he had to figure out how to make her his. Because he couldn’t imagine living the rest of his life without her… and didn’t want to.
“There’s always looking for visitors at the hospice where I volunteer.”
“What does a visitor do?” she asked, digging into her pasta.
“You just talk to them, read to them, watch TV with them. Some are well enough to put a puzzle together or do a crossword. It just depends.”
“When do you plan to go again? Could I come with you? Or would I have to go through a background check and interview with someone at the hospice?”
“Usually, but I could vouch for you, if you’re serious?”
“Of course I’m serious. I really want to do this!”
He could see the enthusiasm in her eyes and it made him fall a little deeper. She cared about other people enough to take time out of her busy schedule to help a stranger who was desperate for a little kindness and understanding.
“Then I’ll make the call in the morning. When are you free?”
She reached into her purse and scanned her phone. “Um, I could probably leave the office by 6:00 tomorrow. Would that be too late?”
“No, I sometimes pass by in the evening. Say about 7:00?”
“That’s perfect. Thanks for letting me do this, Loran.”
“Don’t thank me. I love that you want to do this with me.”
“I love…” She let the word hang in the air so long he could have sworn he stopped breathing. “That you’re the kind of man who does this sort of thing.” She smiled. “I never expected this, but I think hanging out with you just might make me a better person.”
***
They were standing on her front porch and Bella was ready to scream in frustration when Loran once again declined her offer of a night cap.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, finally. “Did we somehow end up in the friend zone here?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “You’re kidding, right? After that kiss you honestly think I’ve friend-zoned you?”
“How else can you explain the fact that you don’t want to be alone with me?”
He rested his hand on the door frame, pressing her body into the raised panels. “Maybe I don’t trust myself to be alone with you. Ever thought of that?”
“This is our third date.” She licked her lips when he groaned. He was clearly aroused, but still wasn’t doing anything about it, for reasons she couldn’t understand. “And it’s not like we’ve never been together before.”
“You were the one who wanted to take it slow. I’m just trying to respect that.”
