and happy. “You say the nicest things.”
“I’m simply stating the truth. It took all my restraint not to show up at your door when I woke up at six.”
“You could have watched cartoons with Chloe.”
I grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind next time.” I grazed her cheek again. “Not sure I’d be able to resist sliding into bed with you though for a little snuggle,” I teased.
She surprised me by turning her head and pressing her lips to mine. “I might let you.”
“Is that a fact?”
“You’re hard to resist, Ian.”
I bent my head and took another sip of our shared beverage. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Hours later, I carried Chloe back to the apartment, her head resting on my chest, one arm flung over my shoulder. She’d worn herself out playing and sat beside me on the bench, sipping her water and falling asleep. In the apartment, Sam stripped off her shoes and socks, then covered her with a light blanket once I laid her on her bed. We sat on Sam’s balcony, enjoying the late afternoon breeze.
“Dinner smells incredible. I don’t get many home-cooked meals.”
“You don’t cook?”
“I can, but not particularly well or with much enthusiasm. I make great scrambled eggs and toast. I eat a lot of cereal or takeout, and a lot of cafeteria food.”
She made a face, and I chuckled. “It’s pretty good. They have a salad bar and decent sandwiches.”
“You can’t just eat that.”
“My mom comes to visit sometimes and fills my freezer. I try to eke those out to last a while.”
“Your mom doesn’t live here?”
“No, after my dad passed, she moved in with my sister in Ottawa. She comes to visit every few months or so, and when I can, I go see her.” I glanced at her. “You?”
“My parents live in North York. We see them regularly. I stayed with them when Alan first walked out, but once I found my feet, I moved here,” she explained. “They live in a retirement village and are very active. They enjoy their life there.”
I nodded in understanding.
I leaned back in my chair. “I was thinking maybe I could take you and Chloe to the zoo next weekend?”
“Oh, she’d like that.”
I lifted her hand and kissed it. “And I think you were going to ask me out?”
She grinned. “I thought I might. What is your schedule?”
“It’s a good rotation right now. I’m days all week. I’m working Saturday to cover a shift for a friend, then I have a couple days off. It’s usually four on, three off, although I rarely seem to get the full three.”
“You do nights?”
“Yeah. And some split shifts.” I lifted a shoulder in apology. “Sometimes it’s crazy.”
She lifted one shoulder in understanding. “I understand. But I think, maybe, Ian Taylor, you might be worth the crazy.”
I shifted closer and caught her mouth with mine. “I hope so, Sam. Because I’m crazy about you already.”
She didn’t say anything, but the way she returned my kiss spoke volumes.
I stepped into the elevator, rubbing at my temples. It had been a long and difficult week. I had been covering shifts, working extra, and barely home. I hadn’t seen Sam at all and had to make do with a few calls and video chats with her. In the month we’d been seeing each other, this was the longest we’d gone without physical contact. She’d been more than understanding, but I missed her and Chloe terribly.
I’d gotten used to coffee with her in the evenings, having her drop by the hospital for lunch, sharing quiet moments in the early morning before I left for a shift. I missed Chloe’s giggle and the way her face would light up when she saw me. Snuggling her on the sofa if she heard my voice and trotted down the hall in the evening.
I missed kissing Sam on the sofa. Feeling her in my arms. Talking to her about everything and nothing. Teasing her about one of her books.
We’d grown incredibly close, even though we had yet to move further into intimacy. I knew she was hesitant about that step, and I was being patient, even when sometimes I had trouble controlling myself. When she was ready, I was right there with her.
The elevator door opened, and as I walked down the hall, I saw a note on my door. I was already smiling as I reached for it, knowing it was from Sam. She often left me little notes and, at times, treats on my counter inside, or