I’ve done him a similar favor a time or two in the past.
“My loss,” I lie.
“It is,” she spits back. “I’ve learned a few new things since we were together. Things I think you’d really like.”
I doubt like hell that’s true.
The thing I most like at the moment is kissing Faith Upton.
Tilly suddenly appears as the exam room door flies open. “I have that fee schedule.”
“That’s not necessary.” Marilyn scoops the still sleeping Mr. Peppers into her arms. “He’s fine. I’m going to take him home and nurse him back to health myself.”
“Call us if you need anything,” Matilda calls after her as she struts out of the exam room. “Or me. Call me if you need anything at all, Ms. O’Shea.”
I huff out a laugh. “I owe you.”
“Pay me back now.” Tilly smiles.
“You want cake,” I say with confidence because she can pack away a piece in no time flat. “Name the flavor, and I’ll order up some.”
With a push of her foot, she closes the exam room door. I watch as her hands dip into the pockets of her blue scrubs. “You turned her down because of a woman, didn’t you?”
I steal a glance at her face. “Tilly.”
“I don’t need a name. I’m not asking for details.” She shakes her head. “Just tells me what she’s like, Matt.”
I can manage that. “She’s beautiful and brilliant. I’ve never met anyone quite like her.”
Tilly’s face lights up with a smile. “You’re going to marry her.”
I laugh that off. “Not every relationship needs to end with a trip down the aisle.”
She studies my face. “I have a feeling this one will, and I’m an expert on love, so trust me, Matt. One day, this mystery woman will be your wife.”
I don’t argue the point because there’s no need.
Tilly can wish upon every star she sees that every person she knows will find a life partner. I’m not searching for that. I’m looking to fulfill all of Faith Upton’s fantasies. If I can do that, I’ll be a very happy man.
Chapter Thirty
Faith
I groan as I glance at the screen of my phone again.
Only fifteen minutes have passed since the last time I looked at it. I still have another two hours before I can go home.
The maintenance man in my building chose today, of all days, to finally fix the leaky window and bathroom light fixture.
I need to hammer the details of one of today’s lectures into my brain. I wasn’t paying attention the way I usually do because I was preoccupied with thinking about Matthew’s mouth and how it felt when he kissed me.
As hard as I tried to focus on biology, it didn’t work.
I kept running my fingertip over my lips, imagining what it felt like when his lips touched mine for the first time.
“Can I get you a refill?” A barista with a carafe in his hand wanders over to the table I’m sitting at.
I chose this café because it’s within walking distance of my apartment and coffee refills are free of charge.
I need the extra caffeine boost each cup provides if I expect to make it through my planned study session.
“Yes, please.” I smile up at him. “The coffee is great.”
He tosses me a wink as he fills my cup. “I didn’t brew it, so you can tell the truth.”
I laugh. “I’m not lying. It’s good.”
He lingers next to me. “It looks like you’re hitting the books hard. Where do you go to school?”
“NYU,” I answer proudly.
It’s always been my dream school. The day I was accepted, I screamed, cried, and screamed again. My parents joined in on that celebration with a few tears of their own.
“I go to Fordham.” He gazes at the counter and the line of people waiting for their late-day caffeine fix.
“Nice,” I say with a smile.
“What’s your end goal?” He shifts from one foot to the other.
He’s definitely attractive. He’s not nearly as hot as Matthew, but if he weren’t in the picture, I might up my flirting game with this guy.
“Doctor,” I say simply. “I’m going to be a doctor one day.”
“Lawyer for me,” he counters. “I’m going to be a lawyer one day.”
It’s impressive.
“I’m Christopher.” He wipes his palm over his apron before he extends his hand to me.
I take it in mine. “I’m Faith.”
“Faith,” he repeats. “That’s a beautiful name.”
I tug my hand free of his. “I should get back to it.”
“Me too.” He glances at the counter again. “If you need anything else, let me know. We’ve got some freshly made sandwiches. It’s on the house if you’re interested.”
I’d take him up on the offer, but I hurriedly ate a salad before I left my apartment earlier.
“Faith? I thought that was you.”
Goose bumps pepper my skin when I hear that voice behind me.
I turn in my chair to see Matthew standing less than two feet away from me. He glances at Christopher before his gaze settles back on me.