I smiled. “Sure.”
Although there were places to eat on campus, we decided on a Thai restaurant a short drive from the college. I followed him to his car—a late model crossover SUV. He had a sticker on the back window that read I do my own stunts, next to a figure hanging from a rock wall.
His brow furrowed as he patted his coat pockets, presumably looking for his keys.
“They’re in your pants pocket,” I said. I’d seen him slip them into that pocket before we left his office.
He located them and gave me a sheepish grin. “Thanks. I lose my keys a lot.”
Why was he so cute?
I didn’t understand why his absent-mindedness was so appealing. The men I’d dated in the past, including my ex-husband, had generally been organized and meticulous. No un-tucked shirts, missed buttons, or disheveled hair. I couldn’t remember any of them losing something as important as their car keys. Before meeting Corban, I wouldn’t have thought a tendency toward distraction could be an attractive trait.
But in Corban, it wasn’t just attractive. It was almost irresistible.
We got in his car and I placed my hands in my lap, trying not to fidget. But his car smelled like him, and the little smile he cast my direction made my core tingle. I crossed my legs, trying to ignore the sudden warmth. It was like my lady parts had been classically conditioned to expect an orgasm if Corban and I were alone.
I had a sudden urge to suggest we skip lunch and go to his place—or mine—instead.
“Corban, would you like to—”
His phone rang and I stopped short.
“Sorry, it’s my brother-in-law. I should take this.”
“Of course.”
He swiped to answer and put the phone to his ear. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
I couldn’t make out what his brother-in-law was saying, but judging by the way Corban’s eyes widened, it was important or surprising.
“Oh my god. Now? I’m on my way.” He put his phone down—I couldn’t tell if he’d even disconnected the call—and started the car. “My sister’s having her baby. Like, right now.”
I wasn’t sure if I was unconsciously mirroring his excitement or if it was simply the news of an impending birth, but my heart rate increased considerably. “Is she?”
“Yeah, they’re already at the hospital. They’ve been there since the middle of the night and he was supposed to text me, but he forgot.”
He backed out of the parking spot and I had the fleeting thought that it was inexplicably sexy the way he put his arm over the back of my seat and looked behind us as he drove in reverse.
Before I could process the fact that we were headed toward the hospital instead of lunch, and I was still in his car, we were speeding down the road. I didn’t mind missing the meal, but I wondered if he was truly aware that I was with him. That he was bringing me to the hospital to see his sister and her brand-new baby.
What did one do in a situation like this? Although I studied human interactions and behavior for a living, my professional experience so rarely seemed to be of any use when I found myself in unexpected situations. Was there data that pointed to the proper response to joining a friend—whom you’d slept with, which was another complicating variable—during what was more appropriately an intimate family moment?
Not that I was aware of.
Corban was focused on the road, so I pulled my phone out of my purse and group texted my friends.
Me: I have a dilemma. Advice needed ASAP.
Everly: Are you okay?
Nora: What’s up, sweetie?
Sophie: Working, but I’ll help if I can.
Me: Relevant details. Corban’s sister is in labor. I was in his car when he got the call. We’re now heading to the hospital.
Everly: Aw! I’m so happy for his sister!
Sophie: I love babies!
Nora: Uh oh.
Everly: What’s wrong?
Nora: Friends with bennies don’t do family shit.
Sophie: But it’s a new baby.
Everly: Can’t she just go see the baby?
Nora: This is asking for trouble.
Sophie: But we need baby pictures.
Nora: Why am I the only one of us with any sense?
Me: She’s right, this is an important event and should be reserved for close family members.
Nora: See? Hazel agrees with me, so you know I’m right.
Everly: They’re friends now. This isn’t that weird.
Sophie: Have you met his sister?
Me: Briefly.
Sophie: You can always just keep him company in the waiting room.
Everly: That’s a good point. And obviously he knows you’re with him. If he didn’t want you to come, he would have taken you back to work, right?
Me: Possibly. Although his distraction level is high.
Nora: This is a bad idea. She’s setting herself up to get hurt.
Everly: It’s fine. Friends can hang out at the hospital for something like this. There’s no rule against it.
Sophie: Plus, baby!
Everly: I know! I can’t wait to see pictures!
Nora: Why are you so excited to see pictures? We don’t even know Corban’s sister.
Everly: So? Babies are cute.
Me: I don’t expect to go farther than the waiting room so pictures are unlikely.
Sophie: That’s no fun.
Everly: Maybe just one picture?
Nora: You’re all hopeless.
Everly: Why so negative? Don’t we like Corban?
Nora: I’m sure Corban is great. Maybe he’s even amazing. His dick makes Hazel happy, so that makes me happy. But this is a girlfriend thing. And if you’re not a girlfriend, doing girlfriend things is dangerous. I’m just looking out for her.
Me: I know you are. It’s appreciated.
I tucked my phone back in my purse. Maybe Nora was right. Maybe I should go back to work.
But I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay with him.
Why? Maybe it was the tension in his grip on the steering wheel. The way his forearms flexed. The set of his jaw. He was nervous or concerned—either one a completely understandable reaction to the news that his sister was in labor. But there was something deeper than his posture or body language. Something that made the thought of leaving him in the hospital parking lot inexplicably unbearable.
I felt like he might need me, even if it was just to keep him company while he waited. He’d been there for me when I needed him. Why shouldn’t I do the same?
He was silent during the rest of the drive, his eyes on the road. Every minute or so he checked his phone, as if expecting a call or text with more news. I wanted to touch him, soothe his agitation. But it was as if he’d forgotten I was here.
We pulled into a spot in the hospital parking lot and got out of the car.
He reached out and grabbed my hand as I fell in step beside him. “I think he said they’re on the fourth floor.”
I slipped my hand into his and our fingers twined together. “We can ask at the front desk if it’s not clear.”
“Yeah. Sorry, I’m just kind of freaked out right now. My sister’s having a baby.” His voice was slightly breathless with awe and his concern was palpable.
I squeezed his hand. “She’ll be fine.”
He squeezed back. “Thanks.”
We went in through the large automatic doors at the front entrance and signs pointed the way. When we got to the maternity waiting room, he asked someone at the desk about his sister. She gently told him we could wait here, and Molly’s husband or a nurse would let us know as soon as there were any updates.