Seth.
He waved. Her heart jumped. She sent him an excited smile in return.
Dr. Beckman whirled to peer out the glass, then zipped back to her, looking irritated. “Did you know he was coming?”
“No.” Gosh, there was her breathless, dreamy voice again. “It’s a complete surprise.” But a nice one, so she shouldn’t keep him waiting. “You’re on vacation next week, right? Going to see family for Christmas?”
“Yeah.” He raked a hand through his hair before sidestepping to block her view of Seth. “I’ll be back on the thirty-first. You have plans for the holiday?”
“Staying here. I took a waitressing job to make some extra money. I have a silly uniform and I’ll be serving a bunch of big ol’ kids with sticky fingers.” Not for anything would she embarrass herself and tell an esteemed professional like Dr. Beckman that she had stooped to working at a place like Bazookas. “Not fun, but it will pay a few bills.” When Seth honked again, she smiled at the doctor before daring to step up on her tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Have a great holiday. I hope we can resume our lunches when you get back. Bye.”
Before she could see whether her impulsive peck had annoyed him, she turned and pressed her hand to her suddenly tingling lips. Shoving aside the useless wish that he would have kissed her mouth, she ran out the hospital’s revolving door—and into Seth’s waiting arms.
He’d exited the car and now leaned up against the driver’s side. When he pulled her close, Heavenly’s heart thudded all over again. “What brings you here?”
“You.” He cupped her cheek, lifting her gaze to his. “Did you really think I wouldn’t want to see you again after Raine’s party?”
She’d hoped but hadn’t dared to expect. Now she couldn’t hold back her smile. “I’m glad you’re here. Sorry about the other night, leaving so suddenly. I got a call from someone who fell and thought they were hurt. Turned out to be nothing.”
“I’m glad everything’s all right. Someone close to you?”
“Yeah. He’s a sweet old man, doesn’t really have anyone else to help him…”
She hated to be less than honest, but what else could she say? Maybe Seth was interested in her. Or the idea of her. Sure, he flirted with her, but if he really knew how inexperienced she was, he’d laugh. Or feel sorry for her. She hadn’t forgotten the pity on his face the day he’d first asked her out. Telling him the whole sad story about her father and his disease would only make that worse. She’d rather not put him in the position of making him stammer pointless platitudes. They changed nothing.
“Well, that just proves you’re the angel I’m always calling you.” He turned a heartthrob smile her way.
Heavenly felt half a second from swooning. “You’re funny. And you’re sweet.”
“Sweet? That’s something I haven’t been called in a long time.” He winked. “You need a ride home?”
“No!” She bit out, then dialed back the panic. Since he always looked like he was determined to figure her out, Heavenly had to get it together or he would know something was off. “I need to hit the grocery store to grab a few things for dinner.”
And she would…if she had the money. Looked like she and Dad would be eating ramen again tonight.
“I saw one right around the corner. How about if I take you?”
If he dropped her off, that would be great. It was a couple of blocks closer to the bus stop, which meant less time on her feet. “Sure.”
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he led her to the passenger door and helped her inside with an exaggerated sweep of his hand. “Your chariot, my lady.”
She giggled. Yes, she probably sounded silly, but he made her feel like a star-struck girl. “Thanks.”
As Seth closed her door, she glanced through the windshield and inside the lobby. Dr. Beckman still stood, staring. He looked something. Sad? Troubled? Upset?
No. He was mad.
Deciding she probably shouldn’t invade his personal space or kiss him again, she sent him an apologetic smile.
On his way around the vehicle, Seth raised a hand toward the doctor. He must have waved; she couldn’t see for sure. She only knew that when Seth stepped into the car, his grin was even wider.
“Good day?” she asked as he started the engine.
“It is now.” He dropped his hand to her knee. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
Heavenly’s breath caught. She’d heard the cliché about butterflies in her stomach, but she seriously had them. He’d actually thought about her? And he was touching her, too. Her whole thigh sizzled as if he’d heated her up with his rough, hot hands. Breathing wasn’t easy, either.
Oh, mercy…
When they’d first met, she had thought Seth so blindingly gorgeous. But when he’d used that voice on her at Raine’s party? She’d melted. Now, she had no doubt what he was thinking when he ate her up with his gaze. There was no nighttime to shroud them, no champagne to sway her. Just the two of them in broad daylight, in public, sober as church mice.
And she still couldn’t drag her stare from him.
Her breath caught when his fingers tightened on her leg. “I’ve been thinking about you, too.”
“Yeah? All good things, I hope.”
“Yes.” Sexy things. Totally new and different things. Exciting things. “But I’m sure you hear that a lot.”
“I’d rather hear it from you.” He squeezed her knee again, then put the car in drive and headed for the street. “What did you think of our conversation the other night? I was really honest with you.”
She swallowed. “I…liked it. A lot.”
“Any part in particular?”
Heavenly turned to find his mouth curled up in a playful grin. His long fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he turned onto the
