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“I like it when you do.” His tone was thick.
That delicious tingle of arousal slid through her again. Six little words—and yet Dr. Beckman’s suggestive voice turned her inside out.
“Be yourself,” he clarified. “Not who you have to be at the hospital. I’m going to enjoy experiencing today through your eyes since they’re less cynical than mine.”
“Okay.”
Pleasure and approval suffused his handsome face, along with something that seemed like more than friendship.
Was that wishful thinking? After all, look what had happened with Seth. One minute she’d thought they might get much closer. Then she’d opened her mouth…and ended up alone. Of course, that didn’t stop her from thinking about him. Nothing did. He was like a ghost, out of sight but always haunting her.
Pushing away the thought, she turned her focus back on Dr. Beckman, determined to enjoy today. “So how many times have you been here?”
“Maybe more than a few. I would have sworn I was too jaded to really enjoy it again, but I might change my mind.” He gave her a slow smile. “Tell me what you want to do.”
The castle was still ahead, begging exploration, but… “I’ve always wanted to ride a roller coaster. Can we?”
“You never have?”
“There weren’t many opportunities in Wisconsin. When I was eight, I went with a friend’s family to this place in Wisconsin Dells.” She grinned wryly. “But I was an inch too short to ride.”
“You’ll never lack inches when you’re with me.”
“Huh? Are you laughing at me?”
“I’m not.” He cleared his throat. “Um, you’re tall enough now.”
“I am, so no short jokes. I’m sensitive.”
He grinned. “I’ll bet you are.”
There was something behind that smirk she didn’t quite grasp, but it made her warm all over.
By the time they ambled to the top of Main Street, they reached a hub of sorts. Slowly, she turned in a circle, trying to decide which “land” to conquer first. But her stare was drawn again to that magical castle sharp against the bright blue sky. She remembered being fascinated by videos showing amazing pyrotechnics exploding behind it, in sync with the wistful strains of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
She grabbed his arm. “Do they really have fireworks?”
“Every night, weather permitting.”
“Wow. I wish we could stay for them.”
“We can stay as long as you’d like, Heavenly.”
She bit her lip. “When do they start?”
“Look on your map. The big show of the night is usually the last thing before the park closes—”
“Oh,” she grumbled in disappointment.
Her father was much too sick to cope all day and half the night without her. Thank goodness one of the fellow vets who volunteered at the VA had agreed to visit him this afternoon. Still, she’d worry, so whenever she went to the bathroom, she’d text him to make sure he was all right. No need to dump her woes on Dr. Beckman.
When she’d told Dad about the trip to Disneyland with a friend, he’d insisted she go. “Have fun on your day off. Lord knows, there has been precious little of that these past miserable years.”
She’d tried to reassure him that she was happy and had everything she could ever need in life.
They both knew it wasn’t true.
“We can watch the fireworks earlier. I think the first show is at nine thirty.” Beck sent her a frown filled with concern. “You okay?”
She snapped back to the present and pasted on a smile. “Let’s see how we feel after being on our feet all day. Now where is that rollercoaster?”
“This way.” He gestured to the right and ushered her toward Tomorrowland, where they soon found Space Mountain. “I’ll be right beside you if you get scared. I’m a doctor, so you can trust me.” He winked.
She burst into a fit of giggles. “Ha! If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t be getting in a little car that jets around on a track too dark to see.”
“It’s fun. I promise.”
“I’m sure, but…I’ve had so many new experiences today, you know?”
He raised a brow at her. “I’m hoping we experience lots of firsts together.”
With one innuendo-laden sentence, he made her flare hot again. Was she reading too much into his words? After all, he’d mentored her, protected her, befriended her. None of that meant he wanted her. Then again, would he have invited her today if he didn’t feel something for her? There was that buttery voice of his, not to mention his erection, too…
Mentally chewing on the possibilities, Heavenly followed him through the shadowy, blue-lit passages inside the building. A surreal techno voice followed them along the path that seemed to get darker with every step. Before she knew it, they were boarding the gleaming silvery-white cars with yellow stripes.
Apprehension bit at her belly as she began to climb in. “I’m so nervous.”
He stayed her with a touch to her arm. “I understand, but don’t forget to look around and get the full experience. Some firsts are worth savoring.”
