had gotten to him. First it had been her gentle ways, then her strong backbone as she’d told him off, then her sexy looks and tasty lips last night.
“I think Miguel might be well enough to go home early next week. Ms. Edwards, will everything be in place on your end for that to happen?” he asked. Did the others notice her cute, shy ways? What was he going to be doing next, spouting poetry? He had the hots for the leggy family counselor and if he wasn’t careful it was going to show.
“I have everything lined up. All it needs is your signature on the orders.”
“Good. I’ll take care of that. I understand there was some concern that the family might have difficulty getting him back here for the post-surgery check-ups.”
“There’s a group called Care Ride that helps patients with transportation to and from appointments. They either send a car or see that the family has a subway pass for X number of times. I’ve already signed up Miguel’s family and they have been approved.”
“Excellent.” Ryan smiled at her. “Then I think we’ll send the young man home the better for his visit to Angel’s.”
The group standing around him chuckled and he winked at her.
* * *
Lucy’s heart leaped and did a somersault. He’d included her. A warm feeling washed over her. She was starting to belong somewhere, even if it was just at her job. She was a part of Ryan’s team.
Twenty minutes later, with purse in hand, she was on her way to meet Nancy in the lobby. Her co-worker needed to deliver some paperwork to a different department so they had decided to meet downstairs. Lucy circled by the nurses’ station on her way out. Ryan sat behind the desk.
He rolled the chair back when he saw her and smiled. “Hi.”
She tingled all over at the sight of him. It happened so often around Ryan she’d begun to think of it as her body’s normal reaction. She’d given up fighting it and settled for not letting it be on display.
“It’s more like bye. See you next week.” She kept walking.
He stood and met her at the end of the long nurses’ desk. “Hey.” He scanned the area as if looking to see if anyone was paying attention to them. His blue gaze met hers. “How about we have some Volpentesta’s pizza together tonight?”
She wasn’t sure she could handle being alone with him again after last night. He was well aware of her loneliness and vulnerabilities. Would he take advantage of that? Could she trust him? She certainly couldn’t rely on herself to stop him if he kissed her. Wanting to belong so badly, would she recognize it if Ryan didn’t feel the same? Could she survive if he treated her like he had before? She was a basket of nerves.
With a sense of relief she said, “I’ve got plans.”
His look of surprise, then disappointment, made her heart flip. Ryan didn’t get turned down.
“I want someone to be interested in eating with me for me, not for the pizza my landlord makes.”
“That has nothing to do with it. I... I—”
“I’m kidding Ryan. You’re not the only one who can make a joke.”
He looked around again before his gaze came back to bore into hers. This time the crystal blue held a sauna-warm intensity. “I thought I proved last night that I like you. You taste better than any pizza I’ve ever had.” His voice had softened.
Heat filled her and she looked away.
“What’re you doing tonight?”
“Hey, Lucy, I thought you were going to meet me in the lobby?” Nancy said as she approached them.
“I was on my way. Sorry you had to come back up.”
Nancy looked from her to Ryan and grinned. “Ryan, we’re on our way to O’Malley’s for a drink. Want to join us?”
Only with supreme self-control did Lucy suppress a groan. No way would she ever relax with Ryan in the group. It was all she could do not to act like she had a schoolgirl crush around him as it was. She certainly didn’t want anyone else to notice. Nancy was already too suspicious for Lucy’s liking.
“Sure. I’ve got a couple of other things to see about here. I’ll meet you there.” Ryan grinned at Lucy.
“Great. We’ll save you a seat,” Nancy said.
* * *
O’Malley’s Pub was loud and busy when Nancy and Lucy arrived. Lucy was grateful for all the noise because it made it more difficult for Nancy to quiz her about Ryan. The questions had been free flowing since she and Nancy had left the hospital and during the short walk to the bar.
Nancy waved at a group in the corner. Lucy followed her as she weaved her way through the mass of people to the table. They settled in and Nancy introduced her to everyone. Some of them Lucy recognized, but others were completely new to her.
“We need to save a seat for Ryan,” Nancy announced.
Those that heard Nancy turned to look at her in surprise. “Dr. O’Doherty? He never comes out with us. What gives?”
As popular as Ryan was with the staff, Lucy was surprised he’d not spent more time socializing with them. As she thought about the man, in he walked. Had she been watching for him? Even across the crowded room he’d managed to zero in on her. He smiled and headed her way.
Ryan had changed from his ever-present scrubs into worn jeans and a light blue sweater. The collar of his button-up shirt showed above the neckline. As he approached, women turned to watch him. Her insides trembled.
“Room for another?” he asked, standing between her and Nancy.
“Sure.” Nancy scooted over and Lucy did also. Ryan squeezed between them on the wooden bench. The tight space meant Ryan’s firm body was sandwiched against hers from hip to thigh. His heat branded her along the length of her leg. She squirmed, trying to put as much room between them as possible.
He looked at her, which brought his face much too close for her comfort, and whispered, “If you continue to wiggle like that, I might think you’re issuing an invitation.”
She sucked in a breath and jerked her head around to look at him.
He grinned.
The waitress circled by them and took their order.
“I’ll get this round,” Ryan said, smiling at Nancy then her, “just for asking me along.” His look said he knew Lucy would have never invited him.
The conversation flowed around the table. She mostly listened. Ryan told a story and everyone laughed. He really was fun. Despite all his story-telling and jokes, he rarely shared anything personal about himself. What little she’d learned he’d been forced to tell her in order not to appear rude. Even his story tonight was about someone else.
Was he hiding something or was he just so closed off he couldn’t share?
At
