Page 9 of Well Aware

When I had the bike shut down, she let go of my chest and then hopped off with surprising athleticism.

I walked with her to the front door and grabbed it for her, holding it open with my hand so that she could travel under my arm.

She did so easily, and I wondered how tall she was.

Probably around five-five or five-six, if I had to guess.

“Thanks.” She smiled.

I nodded. “No problem.”

She stopped just inside the front door and said, “Thank you for the ride.”

Did she think that I was leaving?

No way.

I was staying until Court was done with her car and even then maybe I’d spend the rest of my night with her, too.

It’d be one hell of a way to celebrate the summer and my new job.

If she was willing, anyway.

I sure the fuck hoped she was willing.

“Can I join you for lunch?” I asked.

Say yes.

Please, for the love of God, say yes.

Her cheeks pinked. “Oh, sure. I’d love for you to join me. I’d love to get to know a little more about this town.”

“Seeing as I’ve lived here most of my life, I’d be happy to share that information with you.”

She peppered me with questions as we waited in line to order. Those questions continued as we took our little number to the table as far away from anyone else as we could get.

She asked about the school and the climate. She asked about town gatherings and after-school programs.

Then she started talking about how she was a nurse anesthetist and asked about the hospital.

Since that was one area of expertise I had no knowledge in, I said, “I could phone in a friend.”

Her lips tipped up at the corner. “I’d like that.”

I texted Lysander, who was a radiologist at the county hospital in town.

He didn’t answer right away, which worked out okay because our food was delivered before she could get to asking any more questions.

She took a bite of the sandwich and gasped. “Whoa. This is good.”

“The owner has worked at a steel mill for going on forty years. This is his side project. The deli part is only open three days a week but they have hired a five-star chef. That’s why there was a line out the door.”

“Interesting,” she said. “I’d wait in line for a sandwich like this.”

I watched her eat, fast and efficiently.

She had impeccable manners, too.