“Why?” She squeaks.

I toss my skirt in a pile in the closet and put the phone on speaker as I remove my shirt.

“Yes, why?” Because I’m at a total loss. She sounds like the zombie apocalypse occurred.

“How did you get home?”

I drop my shirt in the same pile.

“I got a ride with a friend. You and Daniel got in a cab and left. That’s the last I saw of you. Is everything okay?”

I’m starting to feel awful even though I have no idea what’s wrong.

“No, he’s here!”

The bed sinks a little, which shows the quality of the mattress I purchased through a website when I moved here in such a rush. Future note—never buy a bed online.

“Who’s there?” I ask as I head for the bathroom and check the state of my hair.

I’m brushing it when she says, “Daniel. Daniel’s still here.”

Pausing, I’m not sure what she plans to say next, but I hold my breath after I ask, “Is that a problem?”

She’s quick with her words but it sounds like she’s hiding in her bathroom from the faint echo I hear despite all her quietly yelled words.

“He’s sleeping in my bed.”

I haven’t been to her apartment so I can’t visualize. “Okay.”

“Okay?” The one word comes out sounding more like are you crazy. “He’s not dressed and there is an empty condom wrapper on my night table.”

My jaw drops before a smile covers my face and I do a fist pump. One problem solved.

“I guess you liked him more than you let on.”

“I do not,” she says a little too quickly to be the truth. “He’s a friend. He needs someone, which is why I tried to set the two of you up. So why is he in my bed and not yours?”

Unable to stop myself, I let out a laugh and can’t help but tease her. “I think he’s where he’s supposed to be. You guys make an adorable couple.”

Her next words are still soft but she manages to growl them. “I would hate you if I didn’t already hate myself.”

“Mandy,” a male voice calls out. It sounds downright sexy over the phone. Go Daniel.

“I have to go.”

“Call me later,” I say before remembering my plans for tonight.

She hangs up quickly and I hope she didn’t hear that last part. Now, I’m starting to look forward to Monday, especially when the awkwardness will have nothing to do with me.

I turn on the shower. What Jenna said takes over my thoughts and has me worried. Although I don’t have plans to sleep with Andy, I got his name right this time, I do want to make sure I’m groomed, just in case.

The agonizing part will be what to wear. So I decide to do that now rather than wait for later. He says he’s going to make dinner. I end up deciding on a flirty top that hints at cleavage and my most comfortable pair of jeans. I toss a pair of clean underwear in my purse, then I sit on the couch to try and take my mind off everything by watching some TV.

I close my eyes to rest them, only to wake to the alarm I set just in case I nodded off. I rush to get ready and pay to get his car out of the parking garage. Leaving DC is just as slow as it was coming in. Luckily, I gave myself enough time. I have to circle the block of Andy’s hospital a couple of times before he flags me down.

“Hey gorgeous, how was your day?” he asks as he gets into the car.

Oh, I don’t know. I considered using BOB while thinking about you but decided to wait it out. “Nothing much, watched a little TV. How about you?”

“Another good day.”

“How is that?”

His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “No one died on my watch.”

Talk about sobering. “How do you continue to do it?”

He pauses for a long second and I know he’s considering the question. “It’s that child you cure and see for a routine visit years later and he’s still cancer free. It’s the Mom with a family of five whose kids still need her. It’s hope that I can make a difference and even if it’s just one more day that they live, that’s what drives me.”

His passion is overwhelming and heartwarming. I can’t help the tear that spills from my eye. He’s there with the pad of his thumb wiping it away.

“I know it’s crazy for me to think we can forget about all those yesterdays, but I believe that running into you is a sign from somewhere. Cate, I need you not to give up on this. Cancer will always be a part of my life. I want you to give me a second chance to see if you can or even want to be a part of my life, too.”

I say nothing as he’s forced to give me directions back to his place. I hear him speak as I drift on a void of grief. Cancer will be a part of his life. As much as I have unresolved feelings for him, I’m not sure I can live that life.

He steers me into the garage under his building and somber vibes fill the empty spaces between us. After I park, he steps out of the car, giving me the full view. I saw him when I picked him up, but I’d been focused on the traffic around me and not on the gorgeous man in blue scrubs. I’m struck by the impossible man and his impossible life. I’m torn between the two knowing I have to take one with the other. Already caught up in seeing him again after all this time, I stand there and stare like an idiot.

“Are you checking me out?” he jokes.

Deflecting, I say, “You remind me of a smurf.”

He chuckles and leads me toward a door where he pushes the up button for the elevators. “I’m not sure how to take that unless I’m Handsome Smurf or Sexy Smurf. I do know in all that blue, there is only one girl. Smurfette.”

Teasingly, I say, “Exactly. What girl wouldn’t want a harem of guys whose only choice is her?”

His brow lifts in a sexy arch. “Harem?”

Feeling sheepish, I give a helpless little shrug. The door opens, and we enter. I’m suddenly feeling self-conscious. After he presses his floor number, he turns to where I’ve flattened myself on the back wall. A faint smile appears on his face.

He stalks forward and says, “I’ve always wondered something.”

My body is on high alert for an invasion I’m not completely sure I’m ready for. “What’s that?”

Breathy—that’s how I sound. No way he hasn’t picked up on that I’m practically panting with need. He cages me in but doesn’t touch me. My arms are limp at my sides, unable to fight the desire that’s overtaking me. The reflection in the mirrored walls shows his incredible ass in those scrubs. I didn’t think the shapeless clothing could be so damn sexy.

He licks his lips. “Forgive me in advance.”

Before I can respond his lips meet mine. His tongue breaches the seam between my lips, penetrating my mouth and my soul. The bag I hold drops to the floor as I begin to lose all muscle control.

He tastes of spearmint. And I know he’s been chewing gum again. Why? Because I know things about him others might not. This isn’t the first time we’ve been overcome with lust.

I’m about to raise my arms. But before I can make that decision, he steps back. His eyes are storming and churn with need.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It’s just…”

He trails off while bending to pick up my bag for me. When he glances up, his head is eye level with Louise and I feel myself clench in desire. Jenna is right. I so need to get laid.

The elevator chimes and he stands up. He holds out the bag and all I can manage to do, besides take it from him, is smile. I have to let him know some way that everything’s okay. If I try to speak, it will sound ridiculous because my brain has been reduced to the age of a toddler at the moment. I’m not even sure I can verbalize three letter words.

When we enter his apartment, all I can think about is how well he worked my body the last time we were together. Cate, get your shit together, I chide myself.

“You’ve been working all day. Why don’t you go take a load off? I brought dessert.” I hold up the bag with an I’m desperately trying to keep it together smile. “I need to prep it so it can be ready right after dinner. I can also play Sous Chef if you want. I may not be a master chef, but I’m good and slicing and dicing.”