The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“It’s something,” Jack said of the expansive rolling black cover painted with just the right amount of twinkling overlay. He looked over at me with concern. I was sure he could see my day setting in. “Come on, Doctor. I’ll get you home.” We spent the last few minutes of our walk in silence. I was thinking of any explanation I could to avoid bringing him inside my house. I wasn’t emotionally in the position to do so, and I didn’t know how it would make me feel. Jack made it easy on me by whispering a kiss on my lips followed by a “Goodnight.”

“Thank you,” I said to him in an inaudible whisper as he walked out of sight.

The next morning, I woke up well rested and saw a new text from Jack.

Jack: Good morning, beautiful.

Rose: Morning, handsome. Rap & R&B 101 Biggie, Hypnotize.

Jack: See you later?

Rose: If you’re lucky.

Jack: Cocky this morning, are we?

Rose: I slept well.

Jack: Better dreams?

I paused before replying, deciding to go with honesty.

Rose: I had a good date last night.

Jack: Lucky bastard.

Rose: Go build something.

Jack: Go save a life.

I threw off my covers, scrolled through my music on my cell phone, and cranked the volume up. Biggie’s deep voice filled my bathroom as I moved my hips and scrubbed myself down with a ridiculously expensive body wash I’d bought on my shopping spree. I shaved my legs twice, with a what if mentality behind my grooming. I knew Jack wanted to take things slow, but if our last few private moments together were any indication, we would be doing some exploring soon enough. I looked at my naked body in the mirror and made a decision.

I pulled the silk panty set I’d purchased a week ago out of the tissue paper and slid it on. When and if Jack made a move, I’d be ready. I took the golf cart to the entrance, slightly deflated Jack’s bike wasn’t in sight. I’d hoped to just have a glimpse of him to start my day off right. Still, I made my way to work with a renewed sense of purpose. For the first time since Grant died, I was excited about the life I was living.

By the time I was done with rounds and prepping for surgery, I was fit to be tied as I waited for any word from Jack. Though I’d played coy, I wanted to push repeat on the night before and checked my phone in vain twice before I scrubbed in.

Once out of surgery, I rushed back to my locker and smiled when I saw the picture Jack had sent of Annabelle in a patch of bluebonnets on my land. I guessed he was keeping himself busy with the center and entertaining my family. A pang of jealousy struck me, but in a good way.

Rose: She’s so beautiful.

Jack: She is. I have a little crush on her. So can I see you tonight?

Rose: Sure. I’ll be earlier.

Jack: It’s a date, ladies choice.

Rose: ?

I did a little dance where I stood and felt the thud of Jules going down on her ass behind me. I turned to see her on the floor with a shit-eating grin on her face. She’d been spying on my text exchange.

“You’re seeing him!”

“I’m…” I said, pulling her tiny ass off of the floor. “Shut up!”

“Rose, I won’t push, but can I just say—”

“Nope.”

“I hope he’s hung like a horse!” Two of the hospital staff, whom I didn’t know and suddenly never wanted to, burst out laughing as they left us to our conversation.