I'll Take a Chance (3 page)

“Yes
, I do. I didn’t argue about you buying lunch, so you don’t get to argue about me taking care of your hand.”

“Oh alright, I need to get going to the office. I’ll see you at noon.”

“I’ll see you then.” With only a few hours until I meet Amelia, I make my rounds and finalize discharge papers from yesterday’s births. I know it’s crazy, it’s just a lunch date with someone I just met, but I haven’t been this happy in years. All the hard work I’ve put into my education and career somehow has taken on a greater meaning.

Amelia

Before leaving the hospital I poked my head in Willow’s room to see how she’s doing, and I hope to get another look at my adorable little niece too. Willow puts her finger to her lips then motions for me to come in. Abbey is even more beautiful than I remember. She’s sleeping peacefully in Willow’s arms, sucking in her bottom lip like she’s nursing, it’s so stinking adorable. Willow and Abbey will be going home today. It seems a little fast to be going home in my opinion, but what do I know? I do know Asher is beside himself with joy. I’m just so happy for the two of them.

On the drive to my office, my thoughts are all over the place. I
really don’t know how I’ll get by at work without Willow. I know she will be coming back in six weeks, but how will I ever survive? First thing I need to do when I get to the office is order lunch for Kyle and me.

I walk in my office and I am immediately swamped with messages
, emails, and phone calls. I’m about ready to pull out my hair. The next time I look up from my computer, Kyle is standing in the doorway looking relaxed and handsome.

“Oh my God, I totally forgot to order lunch. I got in the office and
things got so crazy that it totally slipped my mind. I am so sorry,” I tell him, feeling like even more of a loser.

“That’s alright
. If you’re able to take a break now, we can walk down the street, and catch a quick bite at the deli,” he says calmly.

“You know what? I haven’t taken a break at all
this morning. Having Asher and Willow gone at the same time has made me a crazy woman. Let me just grab my purse. I really do just need to step away for a while.”

“Great,
let’s go then,” he says with a smile.

Its
late summer in Seattle, and I just love this time of year. Kyle walks close to my side, every once in a while he puts his arm around my waist pulling me close to avoid others on the sidewalk. This is a nice feeling. I really haven’t dated much, especially since Roger.

Stupid Roger.

We get to the deli and he holds the door open for me, like gentlemen should. We stand in line to place our orders and he even sticks to the agreement of letting me pay. The bright sunshine streams through the window, warming my already heated face as we take our seats with the food we ordered.

“You seem to know a lot more about me than I know about you. Tell
me a little about yourself,” I say, as I take a bite of my sandwich. I hope that I don’t embarrass myself by wearing my lunch, which happens more often than I care to think about.

“Well there’s not too much to tell. After I graduated from high school I went to college for four years. Then I went into medical s
chool for another four years. I entered a two year internship then a two year residency at the hospital. I just recently finished my residency and passed my boards. I am now officially board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and I have been hired on at the same hospital I did all my training,” he says, and then takes a bite of his own sandwich.

“That is a lot of school. Was it all worth it?”
I ask, getting a little more comfortable in our conversation.

“I’ll be honest
, it was hard and it was a lot of long grueling hours. In the beginning, when I first started my internship, I questioned myself and my career path and wanted to quit.”

“
You had come so far, was there something specific besides the long hours that would have made you want to give it all up?” We have both finished our sandwiches and I should really be getting back to the office. I just want to know more about him though.

“That is another story for another time. What about you? Tell me about you.”

I get the impression there is a big story here. I wonder what could have made him want to give it all up. Every time I get a little information out of him he deflects the conversation back to being about me. He shared a little more, so I guess I can let it slide.

“OK, well
, after I got my bachelor’s degree in marketing, I came to work for Asher. And I told you about my brothers and sister already. That’s pretty much it. I lead a very boring life. You said you have a sister. What does she do?” I ask hoping to get a little more information.

I watched as his face fell
. I could swear his eyes got teary. I instantly felt guilty for prying. I knew he was turning the conversation back to me, and I pushed him too far.

“Look, I’m sorry you don’t need to answer that. I’m just nosy.
Let’s talk about something else,” I say, trying to save the conversation.

T
here is obviously something very deep going on in his life, I wonder if that has anything to do with why he almost gave up being a doctor.

“Amelia, I’m sorry
. I didn’t mean to ruin lunch. I want to tell you. I really do. Maybe someday I will, but I’d really rather just not talk about it. I’m sorry,” he says as he opens his bag of chips.

“Don’t be sorry, really. Willow is being sent home today. I’m going to stop by their ho
use later to check on them. Willow’s mom and step-dad are in town and will be staying with them for a week.” I needed to change the subject if there is any hope of turning this lunch date around.

“Willow and the baby will probably already be discharged by the time I get back to my office. She is really a beautiful baby.”

We talk the rest of lunch about me growing up in a big family and how I was teased by my brothers. There was no more talk about his family or his sister at all. He talked about his college days and his friends. He talked about his best friend Spence and how happy he is that they are working at the same hospital. His mood improved and I was glad, but curiosity about his sister and not knowing about his parents sent red flags waving in my head. I know his parents are divorced, but that’s all I know.

“I need to be getting back to the office. It’s just crazy there right now. Thank you for getting me away for a little while. I needed the break.”

“You’re welcome, and thank you for treating me to lunch. Can I check your hand really quick?” he asks.

“Sure, but it feels so much better than it did th
is morning,” I tell him. I don’t really want to bother him with it.

“Don’t be silly, I insist,
” he says as he holds his hand out for mine.

I
place my hand in his and he slowly unwraps the gauze bandage and inspects the cut. He must be pleased with it because he just gives a little nod and wraps it back up.

“It looks good, just keep it wrapped and dry for the next few days. If it’s alright
, I would like to check it again tonight, just to be on the safe side.”

Hmmm
, I think he’s trying to get another date. I like it.

“Really
, it will be fine, and you don’t need to keep looking at it, but I am free tonight if you wanted to still go out.”

“Alright, it’s a date, but I’m paying. I don’t think my ego could take another round of being treated.”

“Deal. Where would you like to meet?” I ask.

“If it’s alright
, I would like to pick you up and take you to this great Mexican place,” he replies.

Red flags are flying again. I don’t really know too much about him. I’m not sure if I want to give him my address or not. H
e is a doctor, and I know where he works, how bad can he be? There are a few crazy doctors I’ve seen on TV that chop up people and store their body parts in freezers in their basements. No, stop right there. Man, I watch too much TV.

“Alright
, that sounds fine. I should be out of the office by six. Give me a little time to freshen up and then you can pick me up at seven. Does that work for you?”

“That will work just fine,” h
e says.

I give him my add
ress, and he walks me back to my building with my good hand tucked securely on his arm. We say our goodbyes, and he again tells me he will see me at seven. Back at my desk, I have a message from Willow to call her ASAP. I hope everything went alright with being discharged.

“Willow, what’s the matter? What happened? Are you and the baby alright?”
I spit out anxiously.

“Oh
my gosh, yes. Calm down, woman. The baby and I and Asher are home now. Before I was discharged, I heard some of the nurses talking about Dr. Peters. They were gossiping about a stunning blonde they have seen him with a few times and said they thought he had a lunch date with her. Could that by chance be my beautiful blonde sister-in-law, Amelia?” she asks with mock sarcasm.

“Nurses are gossiping about us.”
I start to have a little mini freak out.

“So it is true and it is you. I knew it.”

“You knew what?” I ask her, getting irritated.

“I saw the way he was looking at you. The nurses were all saying it was about time he started seeing someone. They were all a little bummed it wasn’t them
, but they were all saying how they were glad he was getting back out there, whatever that meant.”

“He just walked me back to the office
. It was strange all he wanted to do was talk about me, but as soon as I asked him about his family, he clammed up. I don’t know what to think about all that.”

“I didn’t hear everything the nurses were saying
, Abbey was fussing, but they all seemed to be happy he for him.”

“We have a date tonight
, he’s picking me up at my apartment and we’re going out for Mexican. Willow, I know I haven’t really talked too much about Roger, but can we get together soon? I would like to ask your opinion about something,” I ask her, and I’m glad I finally gathered enough courage to finally talk to someone.

“Sure
, actually my mom and I were just talking about hosting a dinner party at the house on Monday. Did you want to talk then? If you want we can do it sooner.”

“If it’s alright
, I’d like to talk sooner.” I need to get this off my chest.

“Sure, enjoy your dinner date with Dr. Peters tonight and co
me over tomorrow for lunch. My mom and step-dad are here, but we can still have a private chat.”

“Willow
, you are amazing. It’s not too much, is it? I know you just gave birth and have a newborn. I don’t want to overwhelm you,” I say. On second thought, I’m kind of hoping she changes her mind.

“No, not at all.
My mom is already driving me crazy, and seriously, I haven’t even had my daughter since we walked in the door. Between my mom and step-dad and Asher, they won’t give her to me. Oops, strike that. I hear Abbey now. I think she’s hungry. Look, I’ll talk to you tomorrow at lunch. Have fun on your date tonight, Amelia.”

“Thanks
, Willow, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Kyle

Leaving the hospital
, I head home to get ready for my date with Amelia. I just hope we can get through dinner without me freaking out about my sister and parents again. I hope I didn’t give her the wrong impression about my family. I had a great childhood, and I have wonderful parents.

I punch Amelia’s address in the GPS and stop at the florist for flowers. I pull up in front of a
n impressive high rise apartment building and park in the parking garage. I press her apartment number on the intercom system by the front door and wait patiently. A few seconds later I hear her sweet voice and tell her I’m here. She buzzes the door open, and I take the elevator to the twentieth floor. I knock softly, and she immediately opens the door looking stunning in a little black dress. I also notice the red spiked heels and my mouth starts to water.

“You are right on
time,” she says as she puts in an earring.

“Here
, these are for you.” I hand her the flowers, and it puts a huge smile on her face.

“Kyle, they are beautiful. Thank you. I’ll just be a few more minutes
, come on in. Can I get you anything to drink while you wait?” she asks.

“No, I’m good
. Thank you.”

“I just need to grab my phone and bag
, and I’ll be ready to go.”

I stand just inside the door and wait for her to get what she needs. She has an amazing apartment. It’s warm and inviting. There are pictures of her family plastered all over her walls. Amelia walks back into the front room and grabs the flowers.

“Let me just put these in water and then we can go.”

She moves around her kitchen with great ease. I love the smile on her face and
the bounce in her step.

“Alright
, all ready to go. So where is this restaurant?” she asks.

“It’s not far
, but I’ll drive,” I tell her.

She locks up her apartment
, and I place my hand on her upper back as we walk back down to my car. I open the car door for her and close it gently once she’s inside. I take a deep breath and walk around to the driver side. We talk about her busy day and how hectic today was for her. I tell her about the two births I had today, and she listens with great interest.