“Sorry I had to leave before you woke up-”
“Not a problem!” I cut in giving a shaky laugh. “Thanks for not kicking me out.”
“Never. I’d keep you in my bed forever if I could.”
He wouldn’t have to tie me down to keep me in his bed, I’d go very willingly!
I’m so distracted I almost miss my turn and cut in front of a red car without using my turn signal.
A blaring honk from the upset driver blasts my eardrums. Scrunching my shoulders, I give a tiny wave of apology and receive another honk and a one finger salute.
“Everything okay?” Matt asks.
“Yup, sorry. Bad drivers,” I say, leaving out the part where I’m the bad driver.
“Another reason for my call was I wanted to see if you were available for dinner tonight? No pressure for a repeat of last night.”
My body relaxes and I chuckle at his candor. “Sorry, I can’t tonight.”
“I understand. I’m rushing things, aren’t I? Too much too soon.”
“No! It’s not that. I’d love to see you.” With Matt being so open and direct I find it much easier to be candid as well. “It’s just that my last appointment is at six thirty and by the time I finish up with the client and clean up for the night it will be well after eight by the time I leave. Rather late for dinner.”
The phone falls silent and I unclench my fingers which have a stranglehold on the steering wheel. I mean I’m thrilled this wasn’t a wham/bam thing for him and I hate to have to turn down his dinner invite. Maybe I should just have two dinners? I do want to see him again…
“I could swing by, and we could maybe just sit and talk for a bit?” His tone is hesitant, and I swear I fall a little more for him. He’s as interested to see me as I am to see him.
“That sounds lovely,” I say.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TRICIA
“Oh, Doctor Dreamboat is here,” Sasha sings out.
Weeks ago, when Matt first met me after work in the parking lot, it was the start of our late-night talks. Sometimes he brings warm drinks and deserts for us to sip and snack on while we sit in his vehicle and chat. Other times, we drive around and usually end up at someone’s house for more than just talking. It doesn’t really matter what we do, I’m just thrilled to spend the time with him.
Since this has become a regular occurrence on the evenings I work late and all my coworkers are aware of it, I don’t even blush over the nickname they gave Matt. He’s a doctor, and he’s dreamy, so why not? And his big white Tesla is pretty distinct in the parking lot, so they always know when he pulls in behind the building to wait for me.
“He’s like a dream come true for sure. A handsome doctor, lucky you,” Allison says, giving my arm a nudge as we walk through the hallway together toward the back room, which is our multi-purpose area. “I need a love spell to conjure up one of them for myself,” she jokes, grabbing her purse and jacket from her locker.
Love Spell.
The words thud in my brain.
“Have fun, see you tomorrow,” Allison calls out on her way through the backdoor, completely unaware of how her simple comment has tossed a dark shroud over my formerly cheery evening.
Matt and I have been seeing each other for almost a month now. One incredibly perfect month.
Because the man is perfect- for me.
He’s everything I ever wanted. And so darn sweet sometimes at night when we’re curled together in bed, and I feel the rise and fall of his warm back against my hand, it’s all I can do not to pinch myself, because this can’t be real.
Now Allison’s unintentional reminder has me panicking. Nothing perfect can last. Is there a time limit on the love spell? What happens when it wears off or expires?
The thought of losing Matt steals my breath
***