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Looking guilty, she said, “I’m sorry. I’m just not much of a ‘being around kids’ person.”
“You’re a pediatric cardiologist,” he reminded her, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
“So?” she challenged, crossing her arms over her chest as her chin lifted several notches.
“So, you make your living by spending time with kids. Carrie doesn’t bite.”
“I could point out that I specialize in neonatology. Most of my patients aren’t even a year old.” Natalie’s expression didn’t waver. “So don’t make fun of my concerns, Matthew. This is serious.”
“You think I don’t know it’s serious? I want to spend time with you, want you to go to dinner with me, and you won’t because Carrie is going to be there.” He made it sound a crime, as if she should be ashamed for saying no.
“I should stay here and work.”
“Nice try, but there’s nothing you have to do until bright and early in the morning.”
“Have to and need to are two different things. Besides, being close in case Delaine has issues isn’t a bad idea.”
“You can be close without spending the night at the hospital. I live ten minutes from here,” he pointed out. When she started to argue, he added, “I want to celebrate the fantastic job you did yesterday, Natalie. Away from work. This is a big deal. Let me share it with you.”
For a brief second she looked as if she might relent, might go to dinn
er with him and Carrie, but she shook her head.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’d rather not tonight, Matthew.” Her expression remained conflicted. “Please understand.”
His sigh was full of frustration. “I want to talk you into changing your mind, but I’m not going to be that guy, Natalie. The one who keeps on every time he doesn’t get his way. If you want to go home rather than go to dinner with me and Carrie, then you should go home.”
“Thank you.” A great deal of her tension visibly eased.
“But don’t expect me to understand, because I don’t. I really think—”
“Matthew?” she interrupted.
“Right,” he said, not finishing the argument he’d been about to present. Glancing at his watch, he cursed at the time, knowing he had to get Carrie from her extended preschool program. “Am I allowed to call you once I’ve put her to bed?”
“I’ll be here until late.”
“Your boss must be a horrible slave-driver.”
A smile toyed at her lips. “He’s not so bad.”
“Good to know.” He crossed the room, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a goodbye kiss. “I was beginning to think you didn’t like him.”
“I like him well enough,” she admitted, staring into his eyes.
“Just well enough?” he asked, his lips hovering above hers.
“A little more.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
That she initiated the kiss, that her hands wrapped around his neck and held on to him tight, just about undid every good intention Matthew had.
“No, we are not doing anything on my desk,” she said, reading his mind. “You’ve got to pick up Carrie.”
“I do.”
“So go.”
“I don’t want to leave you.”
