sharing.
“So he just showed up at your house? He didn’t even call first?”
A warm tingle set up shop in her belly as she recalled how it had been to see Rhodes walking out onto her patio. “Just showed up.” She ate a fry. “He didn’t come empty-handed, though—he brought flowers.”
“Flowers are always a nice touch. So, then what? He just said you’re coming out on a date with me?”
“He asked. And so I changed and we went out. Had a great dinner, then walked around for a while.”
January took a drink through her straw and stared at Devi with expectant eyes. When she didn’t say a word, January said, “Then what? I know—with the way you were staring at him—you didn’t let it go at that. You went to his place or he came to yours?”
Rolling her eyes, she sighed. She couldn’t win. “His.”
January smirked. “I knew it. So, tell me…how was he?”
Incredible. Amazing.
“He was… It was very nice.”
“Very nice? A movie is very nice. Come on—it had to be more than that.”
“It was,” Devi said.
“So?”
She sucked her lower lip into her mouth for a moment, then shook her head and rose from the chair. “Nope. Let me just say it was unlike anything I’ve ever known. But that’s all you’re getting for the moment, because some of us have rounds to make.” Scooping up the remains of her lunch, she threw them into the trash and headed for the door.
“Bitch,” January tossed after her.
“You know it. I’ll catch up with you later.” She patted the doorjamb and gave her friend a smile.
“I still want details!” January shouted after her.
“And I want a repeat,” she muttered. “Doesn’t mean either of us will get it.”
Wiping both January and Rhodes from her mind, she knocked on a door before pushing it open. “How are we doing in here today?” she asked with a smile for the young boy lying in the hospital bed.
Rhodes found himself thinking an awful lot about Devi during his workday. And it seemed that, every chance he got, the bracelet found its way into his hand. Like touching it kept him closer to the woman who had worn it.
After work, he hurried out to his Jeep and climbed in. Dave halted him with a wave before he could pull out of the parking space. With a muttered curse, he shifted into neutral and set the parking brake before lowering the window.
“What’s up, Dave?”
“You want to go grab a beer, man?”
“Sorry, not today. I have an appointment.”
Dave waggled his eyebrows. “Date?”
“Not quite. I’m off to the college to meet with a professor there.”
“Really? All right. If you change your mind, I’ll be at The Bistro.” He smiled. “See you later, man.”
“Thanks.” Rhodes released the brake and shifted into reverse, then backed swiftly out of the spot and, with a wave, drove off.
Twenty minutes later, he strode through a building on campus, his shoes making almost no noise on the floor. Eyes on the door numbers, he paused before the one he was looking for and rapped sharply on the wood.
“Enter,” a feminine voice called out.
He found himself in a small room with one window, high up towards the ceiling, to offer a bit of light. The shelves were crammed with books and items he couldn’t even begin to identify. In the centre of the room was a desk, also piled high, and behind it sat a woman hunched over an open book.
“Just place it on the chair,” she said, without looking up.
“Excuse me, ma’am. I have an appointment with Dr Ziambe.”
She lifted her head and peered at him from behind round glasses. She pushed them up with her index finger and glanced at the clock. “Darn it. I’m sorry. I lost track of time.” She stood and offered her hand. “I’m Dr Ziambe—or Allie.”
Not quite what he’d expected. She was tall and thin, with blonde hair and sharp, green eyes. Her hair was gathered back in a tight bun and she was wearing a brown pant suit.
“Rhodes Liatos. Thank you for seeing