“Neither of us are the same as we were four years ago.”
Something in his voice said life had thrown a lot of things at him during that time.
“But I am attracted to you,” she heard herself say.
His smile returned. “And?”
“Apparently, we share very potent sexual chemistry.”
“Is that something you encounter often?”
She almost said, Only with you, but caught herself just in time. She was already vulnerable enough.
“Not that often,” she improvised. “What about you?”
“Not since you.”
Three little words that made her heart sing. Okay, so he wasn’t saying he hadn’t ever experienced such a strong attraction, but that no one since her had made him feel that way. A minor, silly, little thing, but his admission made her happy.
Funny, because not for a second did she doubt the truthfulness of his words. She never had. There was something about him that she instinctively trusted, rightly or wrongly.
“You got quiet,” he accused softly.
She nodded. “We’re standing in the middle of a path between the bath area and the medical area. Maybe we should head back.”
He nodded and stayed in step beside her. “Agnes said this is the first year you’ve been back to volunteer since we met. What kept you away?”
“It wasn’t fear of running into you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions, Chrissie.”
“You’re right. I just didn’t want you to make assumptions that...”
“Where you are concerned, I’m doing my best not to make any assumptions. Not even the ones I want to make. So, what kept you away? Family? Work?”
“Family.”
“Tell me about your family.”
Not likely, but she smiled and suggested, “Then you’ll tell me about yours because that’s all part of us getting to know each other?”
His nose wrinkled. “Okay, so you have a point. Let’s talk about something besides family. Do you still live and work in Chattanooga?”
“Yes, I love my job at the hospital.”
“You’re a CVICU nurse, right?”
Pleased that he remembered, she answered, “Yes, I work in the cardiovascular intensive care unit.” She straightened her shoulders proudly. “I was promoted to nurse supervisor a few years ago.”
“That’s great.” He smiled. “I’d say your family must be proud, but that would take us full circle. So, I’m going to say how proud you must be of that accomplishment.”
“I love taking care of patients and I always try to do my best. This time, hard work paid off.”
“Have there been times in the past where it hasn’t?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t mean my comment that way. What about you? Tell me about working for DAW.”