The deer runs off into the woods. And the moment is broken.
The rest of our walk is full of safe small talk, and neither of us let the conversation drift back to a place we don’t want it to. And for him it seems to be his past in high school. Or after high school. I haven’t decided which yet.
“Hey! That’s my house!” I point excitedly down the road. “How did we get over here?”
He laughs. “I’ll send you the map I had made so you can follow the different paths.”
Stopping at my porch, we stand awkwardly facing each other. I could just reach up on my tiptoes and take his lips with mine. And then he could strip me out of these clothes like I’ve been fantasizing about since I saw his muscular thighs in those gym shorts.
“Thanks for coming with me tonight.” I lean into him.
“You’re welcome. If you ever want to go again, just text me. You still have my number?” He doesn’t move away, but he also doesn’t lean down toward me like I was hoping he would.
“Sure do. On the fridge.”
“Okay, good. Well, I guess I’m going to get back so I can cook up some dinner and crash. I’ve gotta be back at the station to relieve someone at three in the morning.” He sighs, and his shoulders slump forward.
“Oh, yeah, sure. Thanks again.” Disappointment surges through me when he starts to walk away.
“Goodnight, Goddess.”
“Goodnight.” I wave like a fucking idiot, but then he returns the gesture.
Walking inside, I collapse on the couch and grab my phone.
Me:I finally went for a walk.
Me:With Wyatt.
Aubrey:Sophia. That is not a good idea.
Me:Okay, Mom. It was nothing. I ran into him when he got home before I got to the path. He offered to show me around and I was perfectly fine not venturing off into unknown woods alone.
Aubrey:If you say so. How was your day?
Me:Boring as fuck. I need a job. Or a hobby.
Aubrey:How about a girls night at the inn tomorrow night for dinner and margs?
Me:A thousand times yes. Tell me what to bring.
“Everything looks good to me.” The doctor rolls his chair away.
“Looks good? It’s not even fully healed yet. It’s been over a month. I still don’t have full control of my face.” I ball my fists at my side in frustration with my body.
“This is a slow healing process. You’ve had multiple surgeries, and nerves can take years to come back even in the slightest amount. So what you do have might feel small, but I can promise that itisa big improvement.”
I roll my eyes, annoyed at the whole process.
“Look. I get it.” The doctor stands in front of me, rolling up his sleeve, an ugly bubbled-up scar on his forearm. “I had a patient attack me with my own scalpel. It took a year for the tremors to stop. I think that both of us need to be thankful we could keep the jobs we love. Besides, chicks dig scars.” He laughs.
“If only that were true, doc. Unfortunately, a nasty one with stitches still in it is kind of a turn off. I’ve had to turn to online dating.”
The doctor laughs at my plight. “Well, when you find a woman who can look past it, you know she’s the one.”
I nod my head, not needing to tell him that I’m not looking forthe one. Just one night. I gavethe onething a chance, and it exploded in my face in royal fashion.
“Thanks, Doc.” I stand to leave. “Sorry if I’m one of the grumpier patients.”
