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“You can’t do that—not now.”
“But I thought that was what you said you were trying to do?” I ask, wondering if there’s a limit to the number of circles a woman can spin you in, because Tabitha definitely has me going in circles here.
“I was. It’s different if I do it, if you do it I’ll just look pathetic,” she mumbles.
“Why did you lie?” I ask, because I really do want to know. I’ve thought it over all day and there has to be a reason that she told her sister my name specifically.
Does Nurse Riley fantasize about me like I have her?
That thought intrigues me more than it should, but it’s too late to stop thinking about it now. It’s in my head. She’s in my head.
“You wouldn’t understand,” she says with a shrug.
“Try me,” I dare her. She finally looks up at me and I stare into her eyes. A man could lose himself in those beauties. They’re a mixture of colors, green, brown and even some yellow flecks and I can’t make myself look away.
“My family has never understood my drive to have a career. They think that’s all I have in life.”
“Is it?”
“See? I told you, you wouldn’t understand.”
“Hey, it was a legitimate question,” I defend, because it’s clear that asking it pissed her off.
“No it’s not. I should have known you’d think that though. Since you think anyone can do my job,” she responds and she shakes her head. “Never mind. I don’t want to do this. I’ll deal with my sister and you and I will just forget this ever happened.”
“What if we didn’t?” I suggest, and then try to gage her response.
“What are you saying?”
“What if we keep up the pretense and I take you to this wedding?”
“Why would you do that?”
“Why not?” I ask instead of answering.
“Because it’s crazy?”
“You obviously have a reason for telling your family that we were dating—”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Brody. My sister caught me by surprise telling me she was marrying my old boyfriend and she was worried I would be upset,” she says. She’s muttering her words in a low whisper and I have to strain to hear them, but I’m starting to get the picture here. “I’m not by the way,” she announces, but I’m too busy thinking over what she said to understand at first.
“Not?”
“I’m not upset. Robbie and I broke up a very long time ago. But, I don’t want my sister to even worry about that. She should have her dream wedding and be happy—not worried if she’s causing me pain. Her wedding day should be all about her.”
“Then the best thing to do is to let her keep believing that you and I are together.”
“No, it’s not. Why would you say that?”
“Because if your sister thinks you’re with me and we’re happy together, she’ll relax and concentrate on her wedding and being happy, not on wondering if she’s hurting you,” I explain, only being partially truthful. I don’t want to dive into the real reason I’m suggesting we keep up the lie.
I’m not ready to admit why.
“You’d really be willing to do this? Why?”
“Because you need help and I can help. So what do you say Nurse Riley?”
She stands there and looks me over for a few minutes. Then she sighs. I expect her to turn me down and maybe there’s part of me hoping she will. That doesn’t happen however.
“If we’re going to do this then we should probably start calling each other by our first names. You should call me Tabitha or Tab,” she sighs.
“Not Tabby?” I ask her, curious because that’s what her sister kept calling her.
“I hate that name. It makes me sound like a crazy cat lady.”
I laugh, I can’t help it. No one could ever mistake Tabitha as a crazy cat lady.
“Then what do you say we go inside and have dinner?”
She studies me again and shakes her head in a “no” motion.
“I know what I’m getting out of this, Dr.—”
“Brody remember?” I interrupt.
“I know what I’m getting out of this, Brody. But, what are you getting?”
“Tonight? A free dinner,” I tell her with my best smile—the one that helps get a woman undressed with minimal effort.
“God help you then, Brody. Because, my sister is cooking.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, almost afraid to know.
“You’ll find out, soon enough,” she answers and suddenly I’m a little worried about this night after all.
Chapter Six
Tabitha
“Would you like some more, Brody?” Tabitha’s sister asks.
I look down at my mostly untouched plate. To my right I hear Tabitha coughing and when I move my gaze to her she’s doing her best to hide a smile. The little witch is laughing. For some reason, I really like that. I’ve always thought Tabitha was beautiful, but seeing her relaxed and happy is different. It makes her even more appealing. I’m in deep trouble with this woman.
