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Captivated
Zanestaredouthis office window, the scans pulled up on his computer forgotten. He was replaying his lunch with Dani’s intriguing friend, Maggie. A sweet name for a sweet girl. No, that wasn’t right. She definitely wasn’t a girl. She was all woman. He couldn’t seem to get his mind off of her even though she was nothing like the women he was usually attracted to. She was petite and curvy with shining chestnut hair. Her eyes were warm like melted chocolate, and he got lost in that shy gaze when she had turned it his way. He had enjoyed just watching her move around the café, taking care of everyone with grace. He could tell she liked looking after her friends and that made it seem effortless. No one even had to ask for anything because Maggie was always there, ready with whatever you wanted before you asked. He bet she was like that in her personal life, too. Maybe that was it.
The women he had dated up to now were in it for what they could get out of him, whether that be from his wallet or his body. He knew that and played the game. It wasn’t like it was much different for him. He liked a woman on his arm that others would notice and envy him for and, if they wanted him to join them in their beds, so much the better. This woman, though, she was nothing like that. She was real, down to earth. She was gorgeous but in a completely natural way. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of artifice in her. She was warm and friendly to everyone. Her smile sweet and genuine. And that blush he had caught climbing up her rosy skin a couple of times when she caught him watching her…that did something to him deep in his chest he couldn’t define.
Before he gave in and called her, he decided to call Dani and do a little research. Somehow, he felt like meeting Maggie had been important and he didn’t want to fuck it up.
Dani answered on the second ring. “So, Dr. Savage, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
She was always full of such cheek. He missed having her around at the hospital to keep him in line every day. “Nurse Davis,” he intoned in his best doctor voice, “I need your assistance in an important matter.”
Dani barked in laughter. “Sure, Zane. What can I do for you? I owe you big time after all.”
“Don’t be silly, Dani. I was glad to help out with your aunt. Still on track to come home at the end of the week?”
“Yep. So far, so good. But let me guess, you’re calling about my best friend, not my aunt?”
Damn! The woman missed nothing.“Uh, actually, yeah, I was. How did you know?”
“I have brilliant observation and diagnostic skills, of course! And y’all were about as subtle as a couple of baboons showing their hind ends!” She rolled with laughter as Zane closed his eyes and ran a hand down his face in embarrassment.
“That obvious, was I?”
“Oh, don’t worry,” she added. “Maggie was just as bad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her blush in front of a man before. I started to tell y’all to get a room but I
knew she’d die of embarrassment and never forgive me.”
Zane could imagine how much will power it had taken for the outspoken nurse to keep that comment to herself. He thought her lack of filter was hilarious, but he knew not everyone appreciated it. It showed how much she cared about her friend.
“I guess that answers one of my questions,” Zane continued, trying to hold on to the shred of dignity he had left. “The next one would be, is she seeing anyone?”
There was a brief silence on the line. Shit, I knew a woman like that couldn’t be single. “Noo,” Dani drew out, “she’s not seeing anyone, but…”
After another long beat, Zane was getting nervous. “But?”
He heard Dani blow out a breath. “You know you’re one of my best friends, right?”
“Yes, but what does that…”
“But, Maggie and I have been friends since we were eight years old,” Dani interrupted. “We’re more like sisters than friends. I know she likes you, Zane, but I also know you.”
“What exactly does that mean?” Zane huffed, somewhat indignant now.
“It means that you can’t think of her as another of your conquests. She’s not like that. She’d be devastated if you treated her like one of your Barbies.”
Ouch! Dani never did pull her punches.She did know him really well, though, and what she said wasn’t wrong. It made him feel a little ashamed of himself. “I know that, Dani,” he said, not liking the irritation he heard in his voice. He tried to quell it and blew out a breath. “I know. That’s why I’m calling you first. I know she’s different. I’m really interested in her, and that’s probably why. I promise I’m not trying to play her.”
“Okay, but I swear, Zane Savage, if you hurt her, I will take you down!”
A smile played on his lips at her fierceness. “I have no doubt about it. Now, can I have her number?”
Once Zane had gotten Maggie's number out of Dani, he wasted no time in calling her. He'd felt like a dumb high school kid the during their first short conversation. He couldn't remember the last time he'd actually been nervous around a woman like that. He'd been on pins and needles during the entire call but, over the following few weeks, their conversations had developed a comfortable rhythm. Eventually, he couldn't help himself and found himself calling her nightly to talk about their days and share their hopes and dreams about their lives. He couldn't get enough of her sweet voice and tinkling laugh. He had to get down there to visit sooner rather than later. He glanced at his watch. Was it time for their call yet?
As Maggie got ready for bed, and her nightly call from Zane, she giggled as she remembered how cute he had been the first time he called her.
“Uh, hi, Maggie. This is Zane, Zane Savage. I’m Dani’s friend?”
Maggie grinned. He sounded nervous. “I remember Dr. Savage. How are you?”
