Page 52 of Yours Truly, Fall

Spend time together in a comfort that doesn’t need to fill any silence.

And I see how she looks at me. It’s the same way I catch glimpses of her when I can. The chemistry between us is out of this world. Add in the right compounds of situation, opportunity, and desire, and we’re going to combust.

She laughs, but it fades quickly. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she says, “That’s an interesting way to phrase it.”

“Mrs. Carson inferred it was a done deal.”

“It’s not.” She pauses, dragging her teeth over her bottom lip in a thought that furrows her brow. “Though, admittedly, I may not have a choice.” Her arms slacken as she continues to drive. “I’d like to be able to do what I trained to do, but I only get to briefly touch on that during my shift.”

She’s a good nurse, caring and attentive. Seems like the kind of qualities they’d want in their nursing staff. “Why is that?”

“I crossed the wrong person at work, and he has more power than I do.”

“He?” If this is some power play by an arrogant . . .

“A doctor.” Fucking knew it. Gliding her hands down the sides of the steering wheel, she glances at me before dragging them back to nine and three. “Mrs. Carson is spreading gossip.”

“Is it gossip or is it true?”

“Can’t they be one and the same?”

I shift in the seat, trying to find more room for my legs but not wanting to look away from her. “Sure, but you once said whispers and warnings go hand in hand. It’s not a rumor if it’s the truth.”

Pride lifts her pretty features. “You remember.”

“I’m trying.” Settling into the seat, I ask, “But what started it all?”

“Want to know the truth, Brandon?” I’ve been hoping we would get here, but her offering makes it better than me feeling like I’m pulling teeth. “It’s not something I’ve told anyone for good reason. I didn’t want to deal with the rumor mill, so I’m not sure who she would have heard anything from. I’m certain it wasn’t from the people involved. But it’s out there, and the story will only get more twisted like a game of Telephone.”

“I won’t tell anyone. You can trust me.”

Her sweet grin brightens my world once again. “I know I can. Thank you.” Taking a quick breath, she leans back on the headrest and says, “It’s not even an interesting story.”

“I’m interested. I’m interested in anything you want to share with me.”

She reaches over again and tugs on my sleeve. “You’re sweet.” Rolling her head to face forward again, she says, “It’s really making something from nothing. We went on a bad date.” Her gaze slides back over to me. “I knew before our entrées were served. He didn’t pick up on the unsubtle hint for a month after I left the restaurant. When he finally got the message after I told him no at least twenty times prior to ‘giving it another shot,’ he accused me of using him to get ahead at the hospital and reported me for harassment.”

Scraping my fingers through my hair, I sigh. “Fucking hell.”

“Yeah, you can say that again.”

“Fucking hell.”

Laughter bursts from her mouth. She reaches over, this time resting her hand on my forearm and leaving it there. The warmth of her palm seeps into my skin, her care felt in the light but relaxed touch we’re sharing. “Since I’m sharing, want to know a doozy of a secret?”

“I’m all ears.”

“And abs but I’m sure you hear that all the time.”

“No, I don’t, but I don’t mind hearing it from you.” This time, I reach over and rub the top of her leg. Her skin is soft, matching her expression. “It’s not so much a secret but something from your past. I don’t know if you remember, but you called me when my sister was in an accident. That’s why I had to leave the date. I never got to thank you for that.” She laughs. “You saved me that night.”

“Sounds like I caused a lot of headaches for you down the road, though.”

She’s unbothered with a pop of her shoulder and a tilt of her head. “You’re not to blame. He is.”

“Who is he? Ludlow?”

The hesitation tells me what I need to know. “He’s the only single doctor, Autumn. You’re not giving away any secrets.” A lady pulls my attention to the car next to ours when she gets in.