AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Poor Drake," Claire said, sighing loudly. "We wanted to find him a wife so badly when he was here before. We thought maybe one of his students, or perhaps a nurse at the hospital… But here you are, his future bride, and not even in the medical field." She smiled at me, but I couldn't help but think it looked a bit forced. "You can imagine how surprised we were that you two got back together, and were getting married after such a short affair."
" Our romance was short, but we both felt the same way," I said, feeling a bit defensive and wondering whether she knew about Sam after all.
A sense of disquiet settled over me, despite Claire's friendly behavior and smile.
We left the restaurant and I had done my level best not to watch Sefton with his girlfriend for it only made me feel sad that I was away from Drake so much.
Claire dropped me off at home and I spent the afternoon in a bit of a funk, not doing any work on my paintings, and instead, sitting in front of the television watching world news.
My cell pinged and I checked my messages, expecting Drake. It was him, as I thought.
How are you, Ms. Bennet? Missing me much? I miss you…
I texted him back right away.
I miss you so much, you wouldn’t believe. When will you be home?
I waited for his response, watching the little dots indicating he was writing.
Home... I like the sound of that. Not sure yet when I'll be home. We're working through the supper hour due to an emergency that came in and threw off our schedule. Michael wants to take the residents out for dinner and then I'll be home. Don't wait up if you're tired.
I bit my bottom lip, upset that Sam was going to be having dinner with my fiancé instead of me. I wanted to ask Drake about it, but forced myself not to be small.
I'll try to stay up, but if I'm not awake when you get home, wake me up so we can at least talk a bit. I miss you so much.
Drake responded right away.
I miss you too. Think of me kissing you, you lying in my arms. I'll wake you up for at least a bit of affection before bed. I love you.
I smiled at that, my heart warming. Maybe he was over his jealousy from the previous day.
I love you, too.
Later, I glanced at my phone and saw that it was after six o'clock. I should eat, but I was still running on the fumes of my meal with Claire and wasn’t hungry. Instead, I made a bag of microwave popcorn and watched a movie on the movie channel. Pride and Prejudice, one of my favorites. It made me think of how Drake called me Ms. Bennet as a pet name after Dave Mills had called me that the first time I met Drake at my father's fundraiser in October. I was nothing like the sharp-witted Elizabeth Bennet, but it still pleased me that he often called me by that name.
Filled with popcorn and tea, I went to bed early, and read a book about art history on my eReader, waiting for Drake to come home. It wasn't until after eleven that Drake arrived. He went to his office before he came to our bedroom, and he looked very tired, his eyes bleary.
He came right over to the bed and bent down to kiss me. He smelled of beer and garlic.
"You smell almost good enough to eat and drink," I said when he pulled away. "Where did you take your residents for dinner?"
"This pub called The Butler's Pantry not far from the hospital. A lot of the staff go there when they get off shift. I had Guinness and bangers and mash, I think they call it. It's one of Michael's favorite places to eat after work. Reminds him of his days in London as a med student."
I watched him undress and thought of Claire's comment about Drake finding someone in the medical field for a wife. If he had, they would have at least been in the same predicament – working late, erratic hours, shift work. I felt suddenly out of my league and bit my lip, trying not to let my sense of inadequacy come to the surface.
"I ate some popcorn and drank Earl Grey Tea for supper."
Drake turned to me and shook his head. "I'm so sorry," he said. "I felt bad going out for a meal when you were here all by yourself, but it's a bit of a tradition to take the residents out when you work them through supper. I had to go…"
I shook my head, smoothed the coverlet, trying to sound sincere. "Don't even think of it. You're a staff member now. You have to follow the traditions. I was fine."
I forced a big smile.
Drake came over and sat on the bed beside me, dressed only in his boxer briefs. "No you weren't fine. You got by, but you weren't fine. I promise I won't neglect you this weekend. It's free and clear and I won't set foot in the hospital until Monday morning."
I put my arms around Drake's neck and he pressed his forehead against mine.
"I shouldn't kiss you because I probably taste like Guinness. But wait for me. I'll go brush my teeth."
