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“Our friendship is going to be romantic, if I have my way,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulders.
I reached up for his hand, looking into his eyes. “Based on a chess game.”
“More than that. I thought you might have felt it, too.”
“I did. I do. But just because I want more doesn’t mean it’s mutual.”
“It is.”
“It seems incomprehensible, like the prince and the pauper, and the surgeon and the geek girl.”
“See, you don’t know me well enough. I’m a total geek. All the hype you see on the news and social media is just that, hype.”
“So you don’t travel the world chasing surf?”
“No. I love Michigan, and although the lakes are wonderful, there isn’t a lot of surf unless there’s a big storm. I have to force myself to work out. I prefer doing this—sitting with someone I care about, playing chess or reading a good book.”
We stood in his living room, his arm around my shoulders, talking for another half hour.
“I guess the question I have for you then is, are you going to be okay dating someone who is quiet and nerdy and boring?” he asked.
I barked out a laugh. “Don’t get carried away. You’re not that bad. But even if you were, we’ll be perfect together because I’m the same. Well, not exactly. You passed your boards, and I didn’t.”
He reached around with his other arm, embracing me now in a full-length hug. It felt so good. I hadn’t been held like that in a long time. Our bodies fit together.
“If you want to take the test again,” Flynn said, “I’m willing to bet with a little help, you’ll pass.”
“Willing to bet, huh? That shows a lot of trust.”
“It’s just a feeling I have. You weren’t ready to practice nursing before, and maybe you are now.”
“Maybe,” I said. “I’m interested in taking that trip with you, for sure. I’m surprised I’m saying it.”
“Everything in its time.”
I thought he might kiss me then, but he didn’t, and when he moved away from me, I took it as a sign that it was time to leave.
“Well, thank you again,” I said.
“If I can wait, I’ll call you in the morning.” Flynn looked into my eyes. “Your phone number is one thing I don’t have.”
He took his phone out of his pocket, and I recited my number. In seconds, my phone beeped with a text.
“Don’t read it until you’re home,” he said.
“Now I’m dying to read it.”
“Please, wait,” he said, flushing.
We walked out to my car together, his arm still around my shoulder. I’d grown used to the weight of it, and when he removed it, I ached for his touch.
“I want to kiss you,” Flynn said, “but I won’t. Too much vino and cheese and crackers. I’ll have bad breath.”
Laughing, I wanted to sayyou are really a dorkbut bit my tongue. “You can kiss me, Flynn. I ate and drank all the same stuff. Our breath will stink the same.”
“Okay, just a quick peck, then.”
“Perfect.”
