Page 24 of Miss Fortune

My lips tipped up in a smile. “I thought online dating was bad, but it turns out dating someone from the office may be worse.” Monday had awkwardness written all over it.

Talking about my dating woes with my boss wasn’t something I’d intended. But he surprised me with a question. “How long have you tried the online dating thing?”

“I went on exactly six dates. But I gave it up. After today, I’m convinced no part of the LA dating scene is for me. But that’s okay. I’m planning to move when my lease is up early next year.”

“Where to? Back home?”

“No. Not sure I can do the cold winters in Iowa again. I’m contemplating Seattle next.” The plan had always been to “try” LA and then move on to a new city and the next adventure. A nomad life in which I went from city to city was appealing.

“Try it next?”

“Yes. I told myself I’d live here for two years, and if it doesn’t feel permanent, move on.”

“Does a relationship dictate whether it’s permanent?”

“Not necessarily.” I was on a search for where I belonged, what my purpose was, why I’d been offered a second chance at life. And sure, I hoped to find love, but I wasn’t certain even the best relationship would soothe my need to find purpose. Would it be enough? “I believe when I know I’ll know.”

He practically scoffed at the words, probably the antithesis to how he lived his life. Then asked, “Why the online dating?”

“I have a list of things I want to do around LA, and I thought it might be nice to find someone to do them with. The couple of good friends I have here lead busy lives which makes it difficult to make weekly plans. But I haven’t gotten past a first date with the online thing, so I doubt I’ll get through my entire list before I leave—or at least not with another person.” I didn’t mind doing some things solo, but some things didn’t hold the same appeal when doing it alone.

“You have a written list?”

“I do. It’s on the refrigerator.”

I didn’t expect him to walk over, pull the three-page list off the clip, and start thumbing through it. It wasn’t personal; heck, half the items were from a tourist book, but having him read through it definitely felt intimate.

He didn’t comment but simply put the list back.

I suddenly realized my manners had been remiss. “I have water in the refrigerator or iced tea.”

“Are you thirsty?”

“No, I meant for you.”

He gave me a rare hint of a smile. “How about I pour two glasses?”

There he was, being thoughtful again. “Thanks. Glasses are in the upper cabinet next to the refrigerator.”

Given the state of his tidy office, I could only imagine what he thought of my space. It was clean but definitely cluttered. Even the glasses he set down for us both were of different sizes and colors. We settled in with our iced tea while we waited.

Then he took out his phone and moved toward the door. “Lucas is here. I’ll go down and let him in.”

“No need. You can let him in from here. There’s a button by my front entrance.”

A couple minutes after Caleb buzzed his doctor friend in, the knock came on the door.

My nerves skyrocketed. “In case I become a complete baby with what’s about to happen, I want to express my gratitude for driving me home and calling your friend.”

There it was again, surprise in his expression and parted lips. Lips which appeared exceptionally soft.

“You’re welcome. Ready?”

I nodded. As soon as Caleb’s friend walked in, I let out the breath I’d been holding. Only in Los Angeles did a doctor who made house calls look like he was an actor in a TV medical drama. Lucas was movie-star handsome. Close-cropped hair, clean shave, and the whitest teeth I’d ever seen. He was dressed in slacks, a short-sleeved, collared shirt, and Italian loafers. No rocking the crocs with socks for this doc.

He greeted his friend with a handshake before turning his attention toward me. “Ah, you must be Daisy. I’m Dr. Lucas.”

“Uh-huh.” To be honest, my loss of the faculties of speech came less from his good looks and more from my fear he was about to use a needle on me. But the way he grinned made it clear he thought it was the former. I was willing to bet Dr. Lucas was no stranger to the attention of women.