“I most certainly do mean it.” She slammed the phone down and took a few deep breaths.
When her hand stopped shaking enough, she went to the window of her apartment and looked out to make sure she didn’t see Spencer. Then she went into the bathroom and showered to try to wash the horrible day away.
37
Let Yourself Fall
“Everything okay with Adriana?”
Wyatt turned to look at Scott Winthrop as they were walking out of the building. Scott was the surgeon he just finished up with about thirty minutes ago. He hadn’t even been aware Scott knew he was dating someone, let alone her name.
“Yeah, why?”
“Someone said they saw her talking to a guy in the parking lot when she left. More like yelling at him.”
“What?” he asked. “I don’t know anything about it.”
Scott shrugged. “Just thought I’d say something if you didn’t know.”
“Thanks.” Though Wyatt had a feeling it was more like poking a bear. He didn’t talk much to Scott about life in general. He always got the feeling the dude was jealous of him.
Now he was wondering if he might be starting shit on top of it.
It wasn’t just Adriana that had to deal with this. Pettiness wasn’t exclusive to women. Men were just as bad if there was a competition involved.
Many men didn’t care whose throat they cut on their way to the top or who they dragged through the mud entering an arena.
He wasn’t going to give Scott the satisfaction that what he’d said might bother him.
When he got home, he called Adriana to see what she was doing. It was normal for them to talk each night even if they didn’t see each other.
In his eyes, they’d had a great weekend together in Charlotte. They’d gotten back yesterday and as much as he wanted her to stay with him another night, she argued that she had laundry to do and food to buy for the week.
He used the time to do those things himself, saying that he shouldn’t be bored being alone since he’d been surrounded by family all weekend.
As much as he liked to be around people, it had more to do with just sitting around doing nothing. Like her, he had stuff to do. Laundry, bills, and shopping. Thankfully he didn’t have to clean, as the lady he paid came twice a week while he was at work.
Adriana even busted him on that, but he’d said he didn’t have the time. He liked things neat and organized. The last thing he wanted to deal with was that when he got home and if he could afford to hire someone he was.
He’d wondered if she would tell him he was frivolous for it, but she didn’t. He was the only one in his family who had someone come in to clean and it was the best money he’d ever spent on things in his eyes.
He was looking for food in the fridge and nothing caught his eye so he called Adriana first. Maybe she’d want to get some dinner and he could convince her to come back to his place.
“Hello,” she said. “Did you just get home?”
“About ten minutes ago. I’m looking for food and nothing is catching my eye. Did you eat yet?”
“No.”
Normally she said more than that. He was curious if she would bring up what Scott saw today. He wouldn’t ask. It was probably nothing or not even Adriana. If it was important he was positive she’d tell him.
“Do you want to get something? I’m in the mood for Mexican.”
She laughed. “I haven’t found any place that met my expectations here. Let’s say I’m spoiled.”
“I’d like to spoil you,” he said. “How about Italian then?”
“I could go with a big bowl of pasta.”
“Want to meet?” he asked. “Maybe you can bring some clothes and come back to my place?”
“I think I’d like that,” she said. Interesting. Normally she would make some crack or sarcastic comment about it. Even an excuse.
“I’ll see you soon,” he said, hanging up after he told her where he had in mind.
When she walked into the restaurant, he stood up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “What was that for?” she asked.
“You just looked like you could use it. How was your day?”
“Busy,” she said. “I’m starving though. I might even get a beer.”
Another thing she didn’t often do. Again, that didn’t mean anything and he wouldn’t read more into it.
“Sounds even better to me. They have Mason’s stuff here too.”
“Perfect.”
The waitress came over and took their drink and food orders while they talked about their days and what they might do this weekend.
Not once did she say anything about what Scott saw and he started to think it wasn’t her. She was acting totally fine too. Somewhat normal even.
After dinner they drove back to his place, her bringing her bag to his room. “You know you can start to keep some things here if you want. I cleaned a drawer out for you.”
“One whole drawer,” she said. “Wow. I’m a lucky girl.”
He laughed and opened the drawer for her. “I figured just your underwear and socks could go in here. There is more room in the closet to hang things.”
“I was just kidding,” she said when she put her scrubs for tomorrow in there.
“I wasn’t kidding. And I’m going to make you one lucky girl tonight too. I mean if you are going to say that, shouldn’t I prove it?”
* * *
Adriana had to fight back the tears. She never got emotional over things like that. Words. Tender words at that.
The only reason she cried a little when she and Wyatt fought was because she almost thought things were going to end and it was her fault.
That made her realize how much she was falling in love with him, but she hadn’t wanted to say it just yet.
It was early still and she was trying
