Chapter 3
It was the blush that did it.
He remembered that as if it were yesterday.
The blush that coloured her cheeks pink, had her lowering her eyes and her hands fiddling with her purse.
She had insisted on paying her own.
They had enjoyed a late night coffee. Shared some laughs.
Dared her about the dare.
She had blushed some more.
A respectable doctor. A surgeon.
Not something she would ever act upon. Not usually.
Tonight was different.
Was it?
Why?
Change of subject.
Parents.
Siblings.
Work.
Forensics.
Medicine.
All the same.
But still different.
So what was the promotion?
15 years in the making.
She was obviously very happy. Proud of her achievements.
She deserved to treat herself. Just for one night.
Their eyes catching.
Define treat.
His question.
She stopped.
Unable to look away.
Warm brown eyes met hazel.
The slight steam from their coffees blurring the edges.
And the blush. Again.
I could be a murderer Jack, for all you know. She teased.
The heat in his eyes stopped her short.
She felt hot.
Needed some air.
Walked out.
He joined her after a beat.
Her head was lowered.
Unable to keep her hands still.
Fiddling with her watch.
Digging into her purse.
She turned towards him.
Looked up.
Eyes met in silent words.
She started walking. Toward her flat.
Knowing he was right there, next to her.
She left the door open and walked right in.
He called out her name.
"Bex," more than a question.
It needed an answer.
She looked back at him. Unspoken words.
He closed the door behind him.
He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought of her since that night.
Almost half his size, he had been afraid he might hurt her.
She had given him confidence. Her shyness making him bolder.
And now.
A wee baby. Him, a father.
What would his Da think?
And Thomas?
Clarissa? Oh God. She would be merciless in her teasing. Especially when he always teased her to behave herself.
And Nikki. Thank goodness she was busy with Matt. She would just look at him with reproach.
He swallowed hard.
Those were not conversations he looked forward to.