Chapter Ten
“What’s going on with you and Lauren?”
Andrew glanced across the living room at Jeni, where she stared at him in that direct way she’d mastered as a social worker for Child Protective Services.
No time for bullshit in that line of work.
He returned his attention to the television. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t pull that with me.” She was also a human lie detector, which was helpful in her job but frustrating as hell when Andrew didn’t want her up in his business.
Andrew’s hand went to his head, stupidly expecting to find hair to rake his fingers through. The habit hadn’t faded, despite the three weeks that had passed since Jeni had shaved it off. He hadn’t considered the hair on his face being affected as well, and he hadn’t needed to touch a razor to his skin in that time, either.
He gave up. “I like her. A lot.”
“I know.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes.”
“She doesn’t feel the same.”
“Bullshit.”
Andrew jerked his gaze up. Jeni’s expression hadn’t changed. “Why do you say that?”
“I pay attention. I’m a female, and I know what it looks like when one is interested in a guy.”
“She turned me down. Said it was unethical to date me, since she’s a pharmacist at the same place I’m getting chemo. And that I need to focus on getting better instead of dating.”
“She’s probably right, and I respect her for that,” Jeni said.
On one hand, Andrew did, too. But it stopped him from getting what he wanted, and that part he didn’t like.
“Doesn’t change the fact that she’s into you, brother. She blushes every time she sees you at the cancer center. She smiles at you like you’re a man with water and she’s been walking in the desert for days. She spent hours at my house last week with our crazy family, because you asked her to.”
“Actually, you asked her to. Maybe it’s you she’s into.”
Jeni ignored that statement and raised her eyebrows at him, pursing her lips. “What are you going to do?”
Andrew rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand. “I don’t know. As much as I want to convince her to stop worrying about the rules, I also don’t want to be responsible for her losing her job. I’d never want to hurt her, and I know her career is important to her.” He sighed heavily. “I’m halfway done. I have two cycles left, and when chemo is over, I’m hoping she’ll reconsider. I’m trying to hold out, but I’ll be damned if it’s not the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Jeni nodded her agreement. “Patience will serve you well with this one, I think. The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing.”
Andrew shot his twin an impressed look. “Listen to you, being all insightful and stuff.”
Jeni snorted and returned her attention to the television.
Andrew grinned and pulled up his email on his phone. He read through one from Todd Griffin and another from a classmate about a study group. He also received confirmation that he’d passed the background check and online training for the Children’s Hospital program and that he was eligible to volunteer. He texted Lauren right away.
Andrew: I’ve got good news.
Lauren: You passed your test?
Andrew smiled. They’d both ended up at The Grind House two nights ago with their books—naturally it had become Andrew’s favorite place to study—and he’d mentioned he had an exam the next day.
Andrew:I did, but that’s not it. I’m officially approved as a volunteer at Children’s Hospital.