AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You could? Shit. I thought I’d hidden it quite well.”
The bartender leans in between us, asking if we need anything. I nod toward my glass for a refill while Kurt waves him off with his left hand, showing a black leather glove. Is he one of those germ-obsessed paranoids? His right hand is resting on the bar. No glove. Strange.
“Did you always want to be a nurse?” he asks.
“Yup. Since I was in third grade.”
“Why?”
“That’s a good question.” I nod. “I don’t know why. It’s something I always wanted. How about you?”
“I’m carrying on the family business. It’s what was expected.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” I drain my glass.
It was expected of me, as well. In my case, though, it meant being wedded to a husband chosen by the don. Well, not happening. My sister was lucky. Bianca ended up married to a man she adores, but there is no way I’m going back home to risk becoming a bargaining chip in the Cosa Nostra deals.
“Is that guy your ex, or something?” my mystery stranger asks, and I shudder.
“Randy? Christ, no.” I make a disgusted face. “Just a creep from work I can’t shake off. He’s been sending me flowers and pathetic notes for months.”
“What kind of notes?”
“The last one said my hair reminds him ofsunrays.” I snort.
His gloved hand enters my field of vision, and my breath catches as he takes a lock of my hair, wrapping it around his finger. It’s a rather intimate act, touching someone’s hair, and it should bother me. It doesn’t. Not even a little.
“Not a romantic soul, are you, Goldie?”
“No, not really, Kurt.” I say, trying to keep my voice steady while my heart races.
He’s so close I can smell his cologne. It’s the same scentas when we met in front of the hospital, very discrete and slightly spicy, and I can’t help but lean forward just a little. His facial expression remains completely neutral as he asks, “And you also don’t like flowers?”
“I have nothing against flowers. I just don’t feel comfortable getting them from creeps,” I mumble into my glass. “And it looks like I’ve somehow obtained a second one.”
“A second creep?” he asks, still playing with my hair.
“Yup. Earlier this week, someone decided to buy out the whole flower shop and left more than a hundred bouquets in front of my door.”
“It wasn’t Randy?”
“I’m pretty sure it wasn’t him. There was no cheesy line and no signature on the note. Randy always makes sure he signs his cards,” I say looking into his eyes. “My friend, Pippa, says I always attract strange guys.”
His head bends slightly. “You think she’s right?”
“Maybe.” I hold my breath, wondering if he’s going to kiss me. The friend in question picks just that moment to come back from the restroom and sit on the chair on my other side. Pippa always has the best timing.
“I guess it’s time for me to leave,” the jacket guy says and moves away from the bar.
I don’t want him to leave, but instead of protesting, I simply nod. “See you around.”
He cocks his head to the side, keeping me a prisoner to his gaze, and brushes the back of his gloved hand down my cheek.
“Maybe.” He lets go of my hair and turns away.
I watch as he walks away, his tall frame navigating through the crowd, which seems to part naturally, lettinghim through. He has a slight limp, I realize. It’s very subtle. A mere variance in his footsteps that might not catch another’s eye. I didn’t notice it before.
I wonder whether he’ll turn around, but he leaves without looking back.
