I can’t help the snort that rattles my throat.
Dad looks up. “What’s that?”
“Oh, nothing. Allergies, I guess.”
He turns back to the paper so I press a brief kiss to the top of his head.
“Okay, well, call if you need anything.” Then I reach for my purse hanging by the door and make my way into the city.
My heart expandswhen I see Shane already seated in one of my favorite diners. I melt into her arms, inhaling the smell ofbleach and disinfectant that seems to follow hospital workers around like a status symbol.
“It’s so good to see you,” I gush as I settle into the booth. “How are things at the hospital?”
“Oh the usual,” she says, waving a hand. “You’re not missing a thing. I want to hear about you. How are you settling back in the big city?”
I ponder the question. ‘Settling’ sounds like comfort. Contentment. Not confusion, intermittent arousal, perpetual tiredness and paralyzing anxiety about the health of my father. “Okay, I guess.”
“How’s your dad?”
I smile. “He’s doing okay. He has good days and bad days. Thankfully more good than bad.”
“It must be nice for him having you home.”
“Yeah, I think so.”
A waiter comes over and takes our orders, then Shane turns back to me. “Caught up with any old friends?”
Something hardens behind the wall of my chest. I don’t have any old friends. I let my friendships fizzle out when my uncle got his claws into me. I had to find a way to avoid the inevitable questions about my patience, my temper, my sudden shyness. So, retreating felt like the most effective course of action at the time. Then I left as soon as I could and I haven’t really been back to New York since then.
“Not yet. Haven’t had the time really. Anyway…” I shift the conversation back to safer ground. “How are things going with Rory?”
Her face lights up at the mention of the paramedic she’s been dating and I settle back to be regaled with stories of going exclusive, meeting the parents, making plans for the holidays.
“You know the holidays are months away?” I grin.
A blush infuses her ebony skin. “Yeah, so? We’re planners.”
My smile widens. “I’m really happy for you, Shane.”
I can tell she’s about to dredge up the whole ‘you need to getonline, start dating’ conversation, so I’m almost relieved when I hear my name called from across the diner.
But when I look up, my heart drops to my feet.
“Hallie—” I start, before she launches into me.
“Oh my God, you exist in the daylight too,” she shrills. “Not a vampire after all.”
I pin my lips together, a little afraid of what Shane might make of this encounter, especially since I just told her I haven’t caught up with any old friends. As far as she knows, I gave up my job at the hospital to come care for my father, not to moonlight at a mafia-owned club downtown.
“I didn’t see you after the auction,” she continues, to my horror. “What happened? Who bid? Was everything okay?”
“Um—”
I can feel Shane’s eyes burning into my back, waiting for an intro.
Swallowing, I take a step back. “Hallie, this is Shane. We worked together at the hospital—she’s just visiting for the day. Shane this is… um, Hallie.”
Hallie looks back at me, realization dawning on her, then she reaches across the table to shake Shane’s hand. “Oh, hey. Pleasure to meet you.”
