Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Me: Can I drop something off for you?
Brooks: Only if it’s you.
Me: Nice try, big guy.
Brooks: Can’t blame a man for trying.
Brooks: Come to the ER parking lot. Text me when you get here, and I’ll run out to meet you.
Me: Okay. I’ll be there in ten.
Placing my phone in the cupholder, I put my car in Drive and head to Willow River General. I battle internally with myself the entire drive. I’m blurring the lines. I was just thinking I was getting too attached and here I am, trumping his “good morning, beautiful” text with donuts and coffee. I’m still not certain it’s the best idea, but I’m already committed. The donuts and coffee have been purchased, and he knows I’m on my way.
Parking in the emergency room parking lot like he told me, I wipe my hands on my capris before grabbing my phone to send him a message.
Me: I’m here.
Brooks: I’ll come to you.
Well, that makes this easier. At least I don’t have to stand in the lobby with patients and his coworkers watching me, waiting for him to come out. Him meeting me outside makes it easier on me.
Me: Okay.
I watch the doors, and within no time, he’s exiting wearing his dark blue scrubs. Damn, this was such a bad idea. The man makes scrubs look sexy. I bet every female doctor, nurse, patient, and even the support staff drool over him on a daily basis. He makes it to the passenger side and pulls open the door. Quickly, I move the goodies and allow him room to sit.
He climbs into the car, shuts the door, and leans over, kissing me on the lips. “You did bring me you,” he says, pulling away while I fight hard not to melt when he greets me this way.
“I brought you coffee and donuts.” I nod to the box I’m holding. “I don’t even know if you drink coffee. I brought you black and figured if you needed to doctor it up, you’d have something in the break room.”
“You brought me donuts and coffee?” he asks with a bewildered look on his face.
“Is that okay?”
He nods slowly. His hand slides behind my neck, and he pulls me into another kiss. This one is deeper than the last. “It’s more than okay,” he says huskily, and the kiss is so good, I’m a melted puddle of goo. “I drink my coffee black, and I love donuts.”
“I just got glazed because I wasn’t sure and figured everyone likes glazed.” I hand him the box.
“You got me a dozen donuts? Babe, this is too much.”
I hide what hearing him calling me babe does to me. He can’t see my heart fluttering in my chest. “I thought you might want to share.”
“Palmer Setty.” He shakes his head. “What am I going to do with you?”
Love me. Whoa, slow your roll, sister. There will be none of that. “I was grabbing some for myself, and I knew you had a rough day yesterday, and this is going to be a longer week for you than normal.”
“Thank you.” He kisses me one more time. “I need to get back. I’ll text you later when I have time.”
“Don’t worry about that. I know you’re busy saving lives and all that.” I give him a wide smile, and he returns it.
“I’ll find the time.” Another quick peck, and he takes the box from my lap and grabs a coffee from the cupholder. “Thank you for this. It’s… thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good day.”
“You too, beautiful.” He manages to open the door without spilling or dropping anything and climbs out. He bends to look at me through the open door. “Drive safe.”
“Will do.” I wave, and he shuts the door. I don’t drive off right away. Instead, I choose to sit in the confines of my Hyundai and admire the man who has managed to capture my heart. I can at least admit that to myself. Now, what I’m going to do about it, I have no idea.
Once I can no longer see him, I head to the studio. I arrive ten minutes before my first appointment, making this morning's unplanned adventure more than worth it. I’m unlocking the front door when my phone alerts me to a message. I flip the sign to Open and walk to my desk.
Brooks: Thank you again for my unexpected treat.
Me: You’re welcome.
The chime on the door alerts me that my nine o’clock shoot is here. I put my phone away and get to work. It’s another busy day, but that’s a good thing. It’s good for business, and it keeps my mind off my situation with Brooks.
I need to do some serious thinking about where this is going and how deep I’m willing to let myself be invested. Heartbreak is inevitable, but the more time I spend with him, the more it’s going to crush me when this is over.