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“First of all, please stop calling me Mr. Giampietro. I’m thirty. Not ancient. My name is Cameron, and don’t worry about it. I’m fine. If I wasn’t, I would tell you,” I lied. She was already stressed enough. She didn’t need to worry about me. “Why don’t you let me bring you home so you can rest.”
“I can’t leave you alone. What if something happens and you need help?” she asked.
“Did you see the doorman downstairs?” She nodded. “Trust me, if I need anything, he will have it here in the blink of an eye. Even a doctor,” I said.
“And what about dinner? I could stay and cook for you,” she offered.
“Maybe another time when we can enjoy it. Right now, take-out sounds just about right,” I said. It wasn’t the cooking that bothered me. It was the damn dishes after.
Her eyes looked like they could close again, yet she was still willing to take care of me. It was sweet. Unnecessary, but sweet.You need to take care of yourself.“Are you sure? I feel responsible.”
“How about if you give me your cell number, I promise to text you an update if there is any change in my health?” I offered.
“Okay. If you promise, then I will agree to that,” she stated.
“I give you my word. Now, what is your number?” I asked. She gave it to me, and I put it in my phone. “Okay, Dr. Swoony, let’s get you home.”
“Please, call me Sydney. And can you send me a text now, so that I have your number in case I want to check on you first,” she asked.
It wasn’t like I could hide from her. She knew where I was staying and if I didn’t reply, she probably would drop everything to come and check on me in person. Reluctantly, I did as she asked even though I hadn’t intended on texting her. At least not this week. From the second she turned around and our eyes met, I knew she was only going to be a distraction. Didn’t need that. And even with her here right now, and my head pounding, I wanted to pull her onto my lap and kiss her senseless. I usually had more self-control than this, but my mind kept going back to her.
Oh yeah. I need you out of here before I do something really stupid.
Standing up, I said, “Let’s get you home.”
She stood and followed me to the door. Before leaving she looked around one last time and said, “I know this is your place, but somehow it doesn’t feel like you. It’s really nice, but...”
“I know exactly what you mean.” No need to tell her it wasn’t my place.
“I hope I didn’t offend you. It’s just something about you that seems more...relaxed than this. I mean, you don’t even have any photos on your walls. Just fancy artwork.
I looked around as well and realized that until now, I had never noticed the lack of anything personal in here.
“A place like this is easy to clean,” I said, still trying to move this conversation along and get her out of there before I changed my mind.
“You would hate my place. I have pictures of my parents, my younger brother and his family, and even pets that I had over the years. Not that I’m a hoarder or anything, but I am a bit more...nostalgic.”
Another thing I liked about her because I was the same way.
“Do you like burgers?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t eat meat.”
Well here lies the first major difference. It’s my main food group.
“Vegan?” I asked.
“No. Just no meat. I’m an animal lover but I do eat eggs and drink milk. Why did you ask?” she questioned.
Because I foolishly almost asked you to have dinner with me.
“I’m going to order some on my way and didn’t know if you wanted anything. But I’m sure they have great salads there.Would you like me to order you something to take home as well so you don’t have to cook?” I offered.
“I’d love a COBB salad if you don’t mind,” she replied. “Just no meat and add extra avocado please.”
“You got it.” I pulled out my cell phone and called in the order to the same place I had ordered from the night before. “They said it will be ready in fifteen minutes. We should get going.”
She smiled up at me and said, “Just so you know, I’m buying. It’s the least I can do. And I am not taking no for an answer.”
