“Glad you enjoy,” I said with a grin. “But I have to admit I’m still very curious about your history in the medical field.”
Her face blossomed with color as if she were embarrassed. “Oh, it’s nothing. Especially for someone like you, who’s actually a doctor.”
I leaned forward, beyond eager to hear more. “Try me.”
She gulped some wine, as if bracing herself for what she had to say. “It started when I was a kid. I had a baby sister, and when she was born, I was thrilled. Like, beyond thrilled to have a sister in my life. But she was always sick. She spent a ton of time in the hospital, in and out when she should’ve been having a normal childhood.”
I nodded, listening attentively without speaking.
“And then it all came to a head when she was four. She was diagnosed with leukemia.”
“That’s terrible.”
She nodded, biting her lip for a moment. “It looked bad at first, but with the help of some really great doctors, she pulled through.”
“I’m so happy to hear that. And she’s still with us?”
A smile appeared on her face. “She is. And thankfully after she beat the leukemia her health only got better through the years. She’s married with a kid right now.”
“Wonderful.”
“Thanks. But during that time, all those days I spent at her side in the hospital, I realized what a massive toll that process can take on someone. Not just the treatment, which is horrible in and of itself, but staying inside, being bedridden and cut off from the world.”
“Right,” I agreed. “Kids at that age should be outside making friends and memories, not stuck in a sterile hospital.”
She smiled again, pleased I agreed with her. “So, I did what I could, bringing her games and movies and all that. And as I grew up, I wanted to do more, to find a way to help kids like my sister, and to help them by doing something I loved. So I picked music.”
“You’re into music?”
“I am – been playing the violin since I was a kid.”
Another new development. I hadn’t heard a word about any of this from Andrew. “That’s incredible. Tell me more.”
She seemed surprised, as if the idea of someone interested in more than her looks was new. “One of the things kids really miss out on in the hospital is music – especially live music. So I started going in, playing for the kids in the pediatric wing. And they loved it. I’ve always been in awe at how music can have such a profound impact on someone’s mental state.”
“It’s true. There’s nothing quite like it.”
She nodded. “I worked with my dad, who’s a little more business-savvy. He helped me put together a charity that would’ve paid for musicians to play for kids like I was able to.”
“Would’ve?”
Annie glanced down. “Would’ve. I had to put the kibosh on it when I decided to pick up everything and move to White Pines. Maybe it’ll happen again, but I’ve got so much on my plate right now.”
Again without thinking, I reached across the table and placed my hand on hers. “I’m sure you can. A woman like you…you can do anything you put your mind to.”
She smiled, not moving her hand. A pleasant silence hung between us until my phone buzzed in my pocket.
“Excuse me,” I said, slipping it out. I frowned when I saw who was calling.
“Something wrong?”
I scolded myself internally for letting my mood show so obviously. “It slipped my mind that I had plans with my brother tonight.”
“Oh no!” she exclaimed. “I’m sorry I distracted you from that. Do you want to step out and call him back?”
“No, it’s fine. We’ll meet up later. Right now, you’ve got my full attention.” I turned off my phone and was ready for the night to really begin.
Annie
Who is this guy? I mean, I knew a little about him from the article I’d read – rich doctor, ambitious as hell, handsome as they came. But I hadn’t been ready for the effect he had on me. He was confident and kind and attentive, the exact sort of man I wasn’t sure still existed.
Was there a catch? Was he going to tell me something like he didn’t believe in monogamy? That I reminded him of his mother? Some other weird deal breaker?
Nothing like that came. What did was wonderful conversation peppered with some flirting. I couldn’t believe how much I was getting wrapped up in Duncan, how incredible he was. The cynical part of me told me something had to be up, that there had to be some kind of catch. Was he planning on taking me home and showing me his basement S&M dungeon?
Actually, that might be kind of hot. Like something out of a trashy romance novel, but still pretty hot.
“How was the crème brule?” he asked, watching me polish off our dessert.
“Incredible. Simple but perfect.” And the rest of dinner had been the same – the best meal I’d had in God-only-knew how long.
“Glad to hear.”
“OK,” I said, glancing down at my purse. “Do you want to split the check here, or can I Venmo you later?”
He responded with a chuckle.
“What?”
“It’s all taken care of. Don’t worry about paying.”
“Oh, so not big on the independent woman thing?” I asked with a challenging smile to my face.
“Not at all – I love women who can stand on their own two feet. Consider it my thanks for the pleasure of our company.”
“Alright,” I said, playfully wagging my finger. “But you’d better let me get the next one.”
“As long as there is a next one.”
And just like that, I’d agreed to a second date. I could’ve played it a little cooler with Duncan. But something about him made me want to blow past all the games. After all, how often did a man like him just drop into my life?
We both took our last sips of wine and rose from the table.
“Well,” he said, checking his watch. “It’s been a lovely evening, but I’ve got a conference call at an ungodly hour tomorrow morning.”
“Oh,” I said, disappointed the evening was about to come to an end. “Back to White Pines, then?”
“I’m afraid so. But we’ll have a sequel to tonight – don’t you worry about that.”
“I can’t wait.”
He took my arm again and we were off. But as we made our way through the restaurant, weaving through the tables and around the servers who silently moved out of our way, I saw something at the bar that caused me to hesitate briefly. Someone, to be specific. Someone I most definitely didn’t want to see on a date with someone new.
Andrew.
At first, I thought I might’ve been imagining things. It was a crowded place, full of wealthy professionals like him. He was handsome, sure, but in a generic sort of way, with one of those faces people who met him were always certain they’d seen before. But as we drew closer and I craned my neck to see his face among the rest of the people clustered at the bar, I saw the watch on his wrist.
The watch wasn’t anything fancy – just a standard leather band with a blue face. I’d bought him the watch as a gift after he’d passed the bar, a little professional accessory I thought might come in handy.