Deal Takers (Dealing with Love 2)

I’m sure I look as surprised as I feel. “How did you know?”

“Because I pay attention.”

I eye him for a moment while I sip my drink. I’m trying to think back to the number of times he would’ve seen me with a Starbucks cup in my hand and can only name a few. After three years together, Adam was still buying me hazelnut lattes.

“Well, thank you. I do need an extra boost. Some idiot kept me up half the night.”

Brody smiles. “Well, that idiot thinks the lack of sleep was totally worth it.”

I lead us over to the family waiting room. We only have two patients in the entire unit right now so thankfully, it’s empty. I take a seat by the window and Brody does the same.

“Puhleez. You got a helluva lot more sleep than I did.”

“Sorry, not sorry,” he grins.

I hold my hand out expectantly. “Speaking of...I believe you have a key for me.”

He digs into his front pocket then places it in my hand. “Don’t worry; I made myself a copy before I came here.”

“What?!”

He laughs. “Relax. I’m just fucking with you. On a side note, have I mentioned how great your tits look in scrubs lately?”

I bump his shoulder and take another sip. “You’re an ass.”

“I hear that a lot.”

I smirk. “I’m sure you do.”

He pinches the ticklish spot above my knee. “So...you want to come over to my place tonight for some more shitty sleep? I can pick up some dinner from Charlee’s work.”

Luring me in with Italian food. Damn, he’s good.

“I’m actually off tomorrow. The only thing I have to do is show up at Riley and Devyn’s housewarming thing at three.”

Brody swings a heavy arm around my shoulders. “What a coincidence! That’s the only thing I have to do tomorrow as well!”

Did I forget to mention that Riley turned out to be Devyn’s long-lost-love-slash-baby-daddy? Now our association is even more solidified since our best friends share a child and just bought a house together. All the more reason why Brody and I have to keep this thing a secret.

“I should get back to work. I’ll text you when I’m heading over.”

He grabs my hand as I stand. “Hey, Rainey?”

I raise my eyebrow in response.

“Pack a bag and leave extra food for Maverick. I plan on

keeping you occupied until it’s time to leave for that barbeque.”

I have to suppress a shiver from the images his words conjure. Maybe sleepovers aren’t such a bad thing if they’re anything like last night.

“I’ll think about it.”

“You do that, babe. Think long...and hard about it.”

I roll my eyes while I fight the smile tugging at my lips. “I’ll see you tonight, Brody.”

“Looking forward to it, honey.”