Page 11 of Here We Go Again

“Yeah. Everyone has been great.” He studies me for a long moment before he asks, “Do you like being a nurse?”

The question catches me off guard, but it’s an easy one to answer.

As long as we’re talking about now and not everything that happened in the past, he can ask me whatever he wants.

“I love it,” I say simply.

Something like wistfulness flits behind Theo’s eyes. “I always thought you’d be great at it,” he says, his voice softer. “I’m happy it worked out for you.” He takes a step toward me, glancing over at Mia before saying, “Look, I’m sorry to show up out of the blue like this. I’m sure you’ve had a long day, but do you think I could buy you dinner? I have a few things I’d like to say, if you’ll let me, and it might be easier somewhere more private.”

I take a steadying breath. I should have known he’d circle back. He’s been waiting in a parking garage for over an hour. Of course he’s going to say what he came here to say.

Behind us, the elevator doors ping before opening. I look over my shoulder to see Emily step off beside another nurse I don’t recognize.

Mia says hi, but I’m too preoccupied with Theo’s question to even manage a wave.

I have no idea how to answer him. I don’t want to shoot him down. But I really don’t want to have this conversation. The only conversation he could possibly want to have.

Emily makes quick eye contact as she passes by, her expression saying she’ll definitely have questions next time we’re on shift at the same time. The other woman just stares at Theo. He’s in street clothes, so I doubt she recognizes him unless she’s a Jaguars fan, but he still cuts an imposing figure.

As soon as they’re gone, I force myself to look back at his face. His blue eyes look closer to navy in the dim light of the garage, but outside in the sun, they’d look cornflower blue, the same shade as the Texas sky just before sunset.

He holds my gaze for a long moment, then he smiles. “There’s a burger place a few blocks away that has a killer bacon smash burger. Their fries aren’t as good as Harvey’s, but they’re close. Have you tried it?”

Suddenly, I’m back in high school, Theo’s smile making my knees weak and my heart thump hard in my chest. I was basically powerless against that smile—it was so utterly endearing. And now, it’s working like the same charm-filled magic wand.

It doesn’t help that he clearly remembers my favorite order from our favorite burger place back in Texas. Or that he suggested the one restaurant where Mia and I were already planning on getting dinner.

It makes it seem like he knows me. And that makes me want to say yes.

But he doesn’t. He doesn’t know anything about my current life or how I’ve spent the last eight years.

If I relent and have a conversation with Theo, it can’t just be because his smile makes my stomach flutter. I can’t fall prey to his charms. Which means if we’re going to talk, we’re doing it on my terms once I’ve had the chance to gather my wits about me and arm myself appropriately.

I drop my bag onto the back of my car and breathe out a sigh. “I can’t have dinner with you, Theo.”

His shoulders drop the slightest bit.

“At least not right now,” I add. “I just worked a twelve-hour shift. I assisted in three different surgeries, so I was on my feet all twelve of those hours. I’m not sure I have the bandwidth for anything else tonight.”

It’s not the full truth. But it’s enough. If nothing else, it should buy me a little time.

He nods. “Fair enough. I probably should have thought of that. So, a raincheck, then?”

“Sure,” I say as I pull out my keys. “What if I text you?”

He lifts an eyebrow, lips tilting into a crooked half smile. “You’ll have to unblock me first.”

I let out an awkward laugh. “Right. Good reminder.” I glance over my shoulder at Mia, motioning toward the car so she knows I’m ready to go. “It was good to see you,” I say to Theo. “Really. I’m glad your hand is healing okay.”

His jaw tightens, but he only nods. “Yeah. Me too.” I can tell he’s disappointed. That he doesn’t want to leave things like this.

Then again, eight years ago, I didn’t want to leave things at all, and he didn’t give me a choice. A small part of me—a very, very small part—relishes the fact that this might give him a tiny taste of what I went through.

“Bye, Becca,” he says, then he turns and walks away.

I stand and watch him for several moments before finally climbing into my car.

Mia drops into the passenger seat and pulls her door closed, then looks over at me. “You okay?” she asks, and I drop my head onto my steering wheel.