Chapter 6
Raquel
The initial visit is hard on every family, because no one wants to live in a facility. Many of our residents are dropped off here and family barely comes by. The crucial part of having a loved one live here is for them to have support from their family. Sometimes, it causes depression in our residents when no one visits.
I watch Jeremy walk away to the truck and can’t take my eyes off that man’s ass, but who knew a man could have such a perfect one? Snap out of it!
The nurse before me made the mistake of getting involved with a patient’s family member and when they broke up, it caused many problems for the facility. All I know is the man showed up here ranting and raving about how big of a slut she was, and it ended up getting her fired. The company suggested when they hired me not to have any romantic interests in the residents or their family members. And up until now, it’s never been an issue.
The ladies by the front door are gabbing about their first boyfriends and having a good time. It’s nice to see they made friends after coming here. So many of the elderly get pushed to the side, and depression kicks in. Being lonely is one thing that can make someone’s health deplete. I always encourage the family to come back and visit anytime, because that’s what’s best for the patient.
I do my last round of the day, and my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Jeremy: So, that was awkward. This probably changes things, but are we still on for dinner tonight?
Damnit, I’m not even sure how to respond. We made the agreement before I knew I would be his dad’s nurse, and seeing him could cost me my job. Yet, I want to say fuck it and just do it, anyway. They say we find love in the weirdest places, and sometimes you have to just embrace it. What if Jeremy and I are meant to be together and my job is the only thing standing in the way? Do I just go for it or walk away? It’s a hard decision to make, but one that could have dire consequences.
After rounds are complete, it’s the end of my shift, and I take my jacket off, grab my keys, and head out the door. The big piece of the grill missing on my brand new Kia Soul kills me every time I see it. The day after I bought it, with only ten miles on it, someone rammed it in the grocery store parking lot. No note, nothing. Of course, the cameras weren’t working so I couldn’t get any video, but it’s supposed to be fixed next week. The insurance company wrote it off as an uninsured vehicle accident. The car beeps and I open the driver's door, slip in, and turn the key. One of my favorite things about it, when I get in, the GPS asks if I want to go home, and then starts it for me. Not that I need directions, but it’s a nice feature.
I pull out onto Lamar Avenue, and come to the first light. There is a man in the truck next to me, waiting for the green light, and just staring straight ahead. It’s Jeremy. For a moment, I think about rolling down my window and saying hi, but then I talk myself out of it. I haven’t even texted him back, and honestly at this point, don’t even know what to say.
At the next light, I turn left into my subdivision, and then into my driveway. Okay, my home is nothing spectacular, but it’s just what I need. I have no need for a mansion or six bedrooms. I close the car door behind me, and unlock the front door, and then sit my keys in the bowl right inside.
When I bought this place, I had just been divorced, and needed some place that was my own, and that’s when I stumbled across this place. It’s got three enormous bedrooms, two full baths, and a nice sized backyard. I have some room on both sides if I wanted to add on to the house, which I might do in the future, because the master bathroom is smaller than what I like. It’s only got a shower and not a tub, and after a long day at work, sometimes I want to just relax in a hot bubble bath, but to do that I have to use the guest bathroom.
My phone sits on the counter, and I pull his text up with no response. I do not know what to say. He will understand if I say no, especially after finding out I’m his dad’s nurse. Yet, something inside tells me I should just go for it. Grapevine has become my new home and my job means the world to me, and if they decide to retaliate against me, where will I go?
As the bath draws, I grab my robe from my bathroom and put it on the hook on the back of the door. A nice, warm bath might help me decide, and this one could be one that I might regret no matter what. If I walk away, there’s a chance he could be the man for me, but if I go, it could end badly and I could lose my job. Why did Grapevine have to be so small? I deserve better than this impossible decision.
The bath is full, so I turn it off and get inside, letting the warm water help with the tense muscles in my back. My neck rests on the lip of the back, and I close my eyes. Moving here to be closer to my brother, and have a change of pace, changed my look on things. The divorce ruined the first half of the year, and then finding out that bimbo moved into his house right after we finalized the papers, only it put the nail in the coffin. I couldn’t stay in Dallas, and the only family I have close is Eli. We were close when we were younger, but I moved away for college, and we saw each other a couple times a year around holidays. Maybe this is all a sign telling me not to go out with Jeremy. First, he was my brother’s coworker, and now I’m his dad’s nurse. The universe must try to show me it’s not a good idea.
It’s like a lightbulb goes off in my head, and I stand up, wrap a towel around my torso, and grab my phone.
Me: Listen, I think it’s best if we don’t. Things are complicated now.
Before I change my mind, I respond. It’s for the best. My job is my livelihood and losing it could cause me not to be able to support my daughter, and that’s has to be my primary concern. Lily deserves everything in the world and without a job, I can’t do that. Plus, this position is what I want to do, and helping people. Jeremy messages me right back.
Jeremy: What if we are just friends? You said you were new to town. I can be your tour guide. Unless Tessa is already doing that.
Fuck. Can I be just friends with him? He poses a good point, and even though Tessa has shown me most of what there is to see, Jeremy might know some different spots. I may regret this.
Me: Fine, but only friends. I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Where?
I take the towel off and replace it with my red robe. Since it’s not a date, I don’t have to go crazy when I dress up, which will save me some time. It’s already after six. My feet are still wet, so I leave a trail straight to the bedroom. The robe comes off, and I slip on a pair of black lace panties and a matching bra. Yes, I know it’s not a date, but they give me confidence. And after the ex-husband scandal, I could use all of it I can get.
I browse through my closet, trying to decide what to wear, because it can’t be anything too dressy but nothing too casual either. Of course, I want to look nice, but not take me home and fuck me good. The red dress is too provocative, and the purple one hugs my ass too well. I need something in between. My eyes set on a powder pink short dress I wore to a wedding last year, and it’s perfect. The length is just long enough, but it hugs my curves, too. I slip it on over my head and then zip up the side.
I take a second to check my phone to see his response.
Jeremy: Have you been to the diner?
I laugh because Brittaney and I were there for lunch. Everyone raves over that place, and I have to agree they have some good food, especially breakfast. Pancakes are good for lunch and dinner, too.
Me: Yes, and I love it. See you in 20.
I pull black flats off the top shelf and put them on before going back to the bathroom to at least line my eyes. This not being a date works for me, because I don’t have to curl my hair or do a full face of makeup, yet I’m still nervous. Why? Jeremy is fucking attractive, like he should be on a cover of a magazine, and he asked me out. As exhilarating as that is, we are doing the right thing by just being friends. Being divorced is already complicated, no need to add to the pot.
I turn off the lights in the kitchen and living room, grab my keys from the bowl by the door, and head to the restaurant. The pressure is a little less since we aren’t going to some fancy restaurant, just the diner. Yet, on my way over, I think about how the date would have gone if we hadn’t run into each other today. We could’ve had a great time and then I would’ve found out later. It’s better it happened this way, because once I had a piece of Jeremy, it would have been harder to say no.