She stepped out of the elevator and pushed through the doors of the waiting room that led to the exit, when she heard her name spoken in a sexy drawl that could only belong to one person.
One man.
“Alexa,” he repeated.
She turned to stare into a pair of golden brown eyes, which were once again focused on her. “You’re here,” she said, sounding as shocked as she felt. “Are you sick?”
He shook his head. “Just waitin’ for you.”
She blinked in surprise.
He grinned. “I was beginning to think you’d gone out another door but the guard there assured me you’d have to pass this way.” He folded his arms across his broad chest. “So I waited.”
“You’re here for me?” A wave of pleasure rolled through her that was so strong and unique, she almost didn’t recognize it.
“Are you the pretty lady who danced with me last night?” he asked with a wink.
A hot flush rose to her cheeks and she managed a nod.
“Same one who ditched me in favor of a friend?” he continued teasing her. Before she could reply he added, “I admire loyalty, by the way.”
“I—”
“I’ll take that as a yes, that was you. And by your scrubs, I’d say you’re the same woman who turned out to be one hot doctor. Which means, yes, I’m here for you.”
Alexa felt flattered and steamrolled all at the same time. “Why?” Why would he stick around all night and wait for her this morning?
“Been asking myself that same question in between Z’s. The best I can come up with is that you intrigued me, we clicked, I wanted to know if your friend was okay—”
“She is.” And he was sweeping her off her feet with very little effort. “You cared about my friend?”
“I cared about you.” He shook his head. “Yeah, I know. Short time, crazy thing. I’m guessing after pulling an all-nighter you need breakfast?”
Whatever exhaustion she’d been experiencing had since disappeared. “That would be great,” she said. “Breakfast, I mean.”
He grinned, obviously pleased. “Since I’m not from around here, you’re going to have to recommend someplace.”
There was only one diner in Serendipity. “There’s a place called The Family Restaurant on the edge of town.” Unfortunately, she’d left her car at Joe’s, and though she wanted to have breakfast with this man, she didn’t think getting into a car with a stranger was all that smart. “Listen, I don’t really know you so I’m not going to get into your car.”
He immediately extended his hand. “Luke Thompson.”
“Alexa Collins,” she said, noticing how much smaller her hand was as she placed her palm against his. Instant awareness sizzled along her nerve endings at their handshake, telling her that last night’s electricity hadn’t been a fluke.
They were chemically compatible. Now, if she could make sure he wasn’t a serial killer or stalker, she’d be all set, she thought wryly.
“I’m a friend of Sawyer Rhodes. Does that help?” he asked.
A small town was a small town. “The football player,” Alexa said, nodding.
“I’m staying with him for a couple of days to help clean out his father’s house.”
She recalled her father mentioning something about recommending retirement homes. “Did Mr. Rhodes move to assisted living?”
“Yesterday,” Luke confirmed. “So you know them?”
“I know the family,” she murmured.
“Good enough of a reference for me to drive you to breakfast?” he asked.