"You're the best, Prie. Thank you."
"What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't help make that possible knowing he's here all alone and the woman who's sweet on him is wanting to be here for him." I play smack her arm but give her a warm smile.
"I thought you could use a – friend to be here for you. I hope you don't mind." I sit up straighter, proud that I said that without stammering. Maybe there's hope for me yet. His eyes light up, the green even brighter than normal, as a dimple appears on the right side of his luscious lips, almost hidden by that soft red scruff. Crap! Can he be any more gorgeous?
"A friend?" he whispers.
I look down at my coffee cup, suddenly filled with shyness as the warmth of a blush moves across my cheeks. I watch as his hand covers mine, his warmth filling me with his caring nature, calming me instantly. I look up and smile as he continues to look at me. His thumb begins a caress over my hand. I shiver. "A friend," I finally whisper. "For now." His smile grows. I grow serious. "Your friend, the one that was brought in last night? Is he going to be okay?" All the worry about his friend, the anxiousness and concern he must have gone through. I don't know that much about him, just the little that I've heard from Prie. It doesn't sound like he has any family. Does he have any other friends besides the ones he's made here? Anyone to support him when needed?
I miss his touch the second he pulls back his hand. He begins rubbing the back of his neck, looking so tired. I feel bad he had to go through this alone. "Yeah. Gonna have a lot of healin' to do but Manuel's gonna be okay." He reaches down and picks up his cup. I watch as his lips encase the top, how his Adams apple moves up and down as he swallows. I don't think I realized just how sexy he is until right this second. Sure, I knew he was good looking, even has muscles on top of muscles, but I've been so preoccupied with trying not to fall over my own two feet or stutter like a stupid crazy woman when I'm around him that I haven't really gotten to study him. Especially up close. He's the most gorgeous man I've ever seen and I've seen plenty. I look back down at my cup, feeling awkward.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that alone," I whisper.
"I did but I didn't. It was so nice of you and Prie to be here last night." I look up and smile. "I can't believe you stayed here all night," he says in astonishment. "Aren't you needed at the shop?" Does he want me to leave? I've overstayed. "Uh, not that I want you to leave." He smiles, and my heart melts. He always knows just the right thing to say at the most perfect time.
"Well, I should probably be heading there soon but I wanted to make sure you were okay." His eyes widen. "I mean that everything was okay. Uh – that your friend is okay." Oh, my God! Shut up! "But the new girl is starting today so Sadie will be training her and Prie is helping out until I get there." Dang, way to just put it out there, Tina. Why is it so hard for me to talk to him? Maybe because he's the hottest man on earth and one look from him and your insides erupt into flames, melting your panties instantly? Yeah, that could be it. Tilting his head, he gives me a mischievous smile. "What?" I ask, my mouth turning up into my own smile.
"So, a new girl is startin'." Why is he repeating me? Did he not hear what I just said? "She's bein' trained." Oh, my God! Maybe he's partially deaf! His eyebrows raise high, his smile broadening. "So – once she's fully trained, you'll have more time to do things away from the shop." He starts nodding, and I find myself nodding too.
Oh.
Oh!
I'm such an idiot sometimes. "Yes!" I shout, looking around quickly. "I mean – I hope soon." I stop and think, which mostly gets me into trouble. "But won't you have to look after your friend?" He scrunches up his face in the cutest way. By cutest I mean manly. Totally.
"Yeah, I guess I'll need to stay around the house quite a bit more. But...." I feel like I'm hanging on the edge of my seat when I let out the biggest yawn of my life. I smack my mouth with my hand, covering it, but when I look at Nash – he's laughing. He leans forward, laying his arms down on the table, still smiling. "You know – I think this is the first full conversation we've ever had." My mouth turns up behind my hand. "I think one of my guys can keep an eye on him so I can take you out one night." Thank God!
I slowly lower my hand, my smile still plastered on my face. "Well, that would be very nice of them."
His brows lower as he looks down, seriousness overtakes his handsome face. "'Course, it might be a while before I feel like I can leave him." I lose my smile quickly. "He's like a pa to me. Manuel doesn't have any other family, just me and the guys. He was there for me when...." I reach out and place my hand on his. I watch him swallow, sadness overshadowing what was a happier moment.
"You don't have to explain, Nash." I wrap my fingers around his hand and squeeze, only to feel his fingers push through mine. Who knew a country man would be so romantic and gentle? A cowboy. Oh, my God! I watch way too much TV! "We have all the time in the world, but I'm sure it won't be too long before we can have some time together." I hope.
"We'll make the time. Soon. I promise."
My heart soars with his words. I'm nervous yet excited for the time we can actually go out on a date but sitting here with him now, knowing I haven't stumbled over my words and could hold a conversation with him gives me hope and the courage I'll need. I think.
We sit here for a while longer. I asked him to tell me about his friend Manuel. He animatedly talked about growing up with Manuel working for his dad, how he became a second father to him when his dad passed away. He went on to tell me about his dad's business and how he sold it then moved out here and everything that entailed. By the time he stops talking, I'm in awe of him. I can't imagine going through all that and not being scared in some way. He's so strong, physically and mentally. He stops quickly and looks around. "Dang. I've been spillin' my guts, and I'm sure you need to get to the shop. I feel bad that I've monopolized the conversation. I'm sorry." I'd been leaning my chin on my hand, spellbound by his words, his southern accent, the scruff on his jaw moving as he spoke, and those green eyes.
The shop!
"Oh, yeah. I guess I should be going." Prie is gonna kill me. Pushing my chair back, I begin to stand. He catches me off guard when he stands abruptly, strides around the table, and takes my hand, helping me up. "Oh. Thank you." He smiles.
"My pleasure." Such a gentleman.
He slides his fingers through mine as we walk through the cafeteria. Warm. Soft. I'm thinking how soft his skin is for someone who works so hard on a ranch, when his voice filters into my mind. "I hope Prie isn't mad at you for takin' so long." Such a good friend and so caring, not wanting Prie to be mad at me.
I wave him off. "No. I'm sure it's fine." He looks over at me and smiles as we walk out of the cafeteria and begin the trek in the maze of the hospital halls. "If you need to get back, I can find my way out," I tell him, looking at the signs on the walls that will guide me to the parking lot. I get why hospitals have to be so big but heavens! They should clearly have someone guiding people around here so they don't get lost. I mean – think about older people trying to visit a loved one and not being able to find their way out.
"No. No. These places have a way of makin' people get lost and not able to find their way out." I raise my brows when I look at him. He squeezes my hand as we round another corner. "Seriously, I don't know how anyone finds anythin' around here." I feel my lips turn up into a smile as I notice natural light up ahead. Turning another corner, I see through the large windows at the end of the hall. The parking lot. Thank goodness! Although, I've been enjoying his company too much to really care if we'd ever find our way out. My heart plummets not knowing when I'll see him again as we reach the exit doors. I turn around and face him, trying to keep a smile.
"Thank you for walking me out." Again, I'm at a loss for words. He takes a step towards me, then another. His lips are warm as he leans in and kisses my forehead.
"I know you don't have far to go but be safe, okay?" I nod and look up into his gorgeous eyes. I tilt my head, studying him, and see the sadness cover his face.
"Please keep me updated about Manuel, will you?"
He nods, not able to talk either. Finally, I start to turn when he pulls on my hand. "I would be right honored if you'd give me your phone number." My heart skips a beat, and I smile. The way these southern cowboys talk melts my panties right off. Reaching into my front pocket with my free hand, I pull out my phone and swipe the screen with my thumb.
"Give me your number." I smile. He tells me and I put it in my contacts then quickly send him a text. "There. Now you have my number and I – yours." I'm feeling rather proud of myself that I could do that while our other hands are still locked together and not drop my phone. Maybe I'm getting used to being around him a little more. Alone.