Page 78 of Wildflowers and Wide Receivers

We bid on cooking lessons, a full lobster fishing kit for Tyler, a trip to Disney World where you stay overnight in Cinderella’s castle, a pair of Jet Skis, and a Gucci handbag. It was fun, and within minutes of each bid, the app dings that we’ve been outbid.

Eventually we stop in front of the Tarpons display, which is full of fun things and tickets, and I point at the poster and the football in front of us. “Look! It’s your signature,” I tease him by bumping my hip against his.

“It’s not just mine,” he fires back. And he’s right. A bunch of the team members have signed these items.

“Still, it’s cute.” I grin at him.

His hand slides down my back and settles just below my waist. He leans down and murmurs, “Cute is when you’re blushing while I talk about burying my face between your legs.”

I jerk back so our eyes can connect, and sure enough, I blush, and he gives me a wicked grin.

“You are going to be trouble tonight. I can tell already.”

“Do you blame me?” he asks as he moves to stand directly behind me, and his hands skate over my butt. “This dress has me wanting to do all kinds of things to you. Here. There. Everywhere,” he says, leaning over so his lips are next to my ear for only me to hear and swaying a little to the music that is playing.

I glance back to find his eyes hooded and one side of his mouth tipped up. “We are not sneaking off,” I tell him, shaking my head, but I do push back into him a little. His size and heat surround me, and he slides one hand around my hip to my stomach. I’m so happy to be here with him.

“Yet,” he teases. Then he looks over my shoulder down at his watch and frowns. “I hate to leave you, but I’m being summoned for team photos.”

He steps away, and I instantly want to step back in his arms.

“Go. Do your thing. I’ll stay here and do mine.” I’m certain I can bet on more things that I know someone else will want more.

My smile turns mischievous, and his eyes drop to my lips. Leaning down, he gives me a lingering kiss next to my mouth. He runs his hand over my arm and down to my elbow, where he gently squeezes it, and then he’s gone.

Of course I watch him walk away. With long legs wrapped in black, shiny black shoes, and formally styled men's hair that’s been parted and slicked over, he doesn’t give me butterflies, he gives me dragonflies.

“Dr. Black,” someone says from my left, and I peel my eyes off Jonah to turn and find Dr. McLeod walking my way. “I did wonder if I would run into you today,” she says, all smiles in her greeting.

Dr. McLeod was one of my favorite professors during my residency. Her accolades are long, and her CV even longer, and she’s currently the vice dean of research here at the College of Medicine. While she’s not a super warm and fuzzy person, she is dedicated and widely respected for her active research programs.

“Dr. McLeod, it’s so nice to see you. And I must admit I’m surprised to hear that you were thinking of me.” My back straightens, and I lightly clasp my hands in front of me. Dr. McLeod always stressed the importance of posture for surgeons, and well, old habits die hard.

“Nonsense. You were stellar during your residency, and I’ve been thinking about you a lot. I was actually planning to give you a call this week.”

There’s no way to hide the shock I feel over this, and my brows rise.

“Really? I must admit this feels a little surprising, but I would have loved to have received a call from you.”

“I’m happy to hear that.” She adjusts her clutch and tucks it up further under her arm. “I have an upcoming opportunity I’d love to run by you.”

“An opportunity for you or me?”

“You.” She smiles. “Also, I’m not going to lie. I do miss seeing you around.”

“I’m flattered.”

“You should be.” She smiles at me. It’s rare to see her smile, and she’s done it several times now during this conversation. “Email me tomorrow with your availability this week.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” That’s her warning. “But I’ll see you this week.”

She walks off, and as she does, I spot Jonah directly across the room. My heart skips a beat as I take him in. He has one hand back in his pocket, the other is holding a new drink, and he’s laughing as he talks to his teammate Tyler Quinn. Other teammates are around him, but he quickly glances my way, which lets me know he’s watching me too.

He raises his glass in my direction, and I give him a tiny wave. I feel stupid but giddy at the same time.

Jonah has somehow infiltrated my system. Just the sight of him alone makes my heart beat faster, and somehow, my nerves feel calmer. I’m not sure when this happened, but I’m starting to wonder if it was that night almost two and a half years ago. I’m realizing I haven’t been the same since I met him. He may not know this, but I do. I waited and waited, for months, even though I told myself I wasn’t, but looking back, I was. Waiting for what, I don’t know. I got stood up. He didn’t come back, but maybe it was the fairy tale that he would. Or perhaps I was just waiting to meet someone new who would light my soul on fire like he did.