“How this place runs is beyond me sometimes.” She shakes her head and turns back to the office to call in someone.

“Love you,” I call out, but she just gives me the finger. Yeah, she loves me. I laugh and go back to what I was doing. My phone beeps from my pocket and like a pansy-ass bitch, I reach for it hoping it’s Bell.

BELL: Jesse Carter, are you abusing my number?

Bell’s text lights up my screen and I can’t help but laugh.

ME: Guilty, but can you blame me?

I text back and wait patiently for a reply.

BELL: I don’t know about blame, but I could block.

Her reply has me laughing my ass off. Sexy and funny.

ME: Block me and I’ll have to start coming up to the hospital to talk to you.

I reply and now I’ve put it out there, I’m thinking it’s a good idea. I wait a few minutes and when I get no reply, I start to wonder if she thinks it’s too much, too soon. Leaving it be, I go about the rest of my morning with the idea to visit when I head into the burn unit later on this afternoon. I think if I can wear her down, I might be able to get her to cave.

I just have to be persistent.

“Hey there, Bell.” I push off the wall in front of the hospital elevators later that day.

“W-what are you doing here, Jesse?” Bell looks up, shocked to see me.

“Just finished up at the burn unit.” I nod to the wing where I spend one night a week holding a support group.

“Oh, right.” She shakes her head and I know she thought I was here for her. What she doesn’t know is I finished up an hour ago. I hung back waiting to see her.

“You finished for the night?” I ask, watching her gather herself. I like that she gets flustered around me. Probably too much.

“Yeah, just did a double.” She fumbles in her bag searching for something.

“Want to get something to eat?” I ask, watching her reaction and the little tells she gives.

“Umm,” she stumbles, vying for time to shut me down. I can see the way her eyes skirt all over my face, yet she can’t look me in the eye. She’s about to run, but I didn’t wait around for her to blow me off.

“I’m not taking no for an answer.” I take her arm in my hand and pull her to a stop.

“Text messages and stalking me at work. Should I be worried, Jesse?” She looks up at me, and the overwhelming urge to kiss her has me coming undone.

“Only if you say no,” I joke and watch her shake her head. “It’s just food, Bell.” I push, and I can see she wants to. See the need in her eyes when I reach for her. The way she holds herself around me. “Two friends, eating food,” I add. I don’t know what else to call what it is that is happening here, but friends seems like a good start.

“Okay, fine. Let me message my mom.” She gives in and I almost cringe when she says it. I feel like what we’re doing is wrong, when in fact it’s not.

“Good, let’s go.” I let her go and step back to follow her to the parking lot. “So how was your day?” I ask when she finishes typing out her text.

“Long,” she answers, dropping her phone in her bag. “What about you?”

“Yeah, had a few errands and the group session.” I shrug, not thinking much of my relaxed day. It’s not often they happen. The clubs always keep me busy, both Liquid and the Rebels, but with Nix and Kadence dealing with family shit, things have been quiet.

“Do you come to the burn unit often?” She finally looks up, giving me her eyes.

“Yeah, once a week. I used to come more often, but with Liquid and club shit, I really don’t get to come down as often as I like.”

“I don’t recall ever seeing you down there,” she notes, and now I’ve had a taste of her, I’m going to make it my mission she sees me more.

“You would know if you see me down there, Bell,” I joke, knocking her shoulder and she snorts.

“Seriously?” She stops and turns to me.

“Sorry, bad habit.” I smile, shrugging it off. I can’t help it. They are lame, but it’s too good not to go there. She shakes her head and continues walking.

“This is me. Where do you want to go to eat?” She stops at her car and opens the door.

“I’ll meet you at Happy Chef,” I tell her, eager for a good burger.

“Okay, meet you there.”

“Drive safe.” I wink and close her door. I walk back to my bike quickly to follow behind her. I know I won’t have much time with her, so I need to make the most of it.

We pull up to the front of Happy Chef a few minutes later. I park my bike, and walk over to Bell’s car.

“I can’t stay long,” she lets me know as we make it inside. The diner is busy, but there are a few tables in the back.

“Come on then, before you turn into a pumpkin,” I joke and move her toward the back.

“Hey, no making fun of me,” she says, sliding into the first free booth.

“Okay, no pumpkin jokes. Got it.” I wink and slide in next to her.

“I’m serious, Jesse. I already get a lot of flack from my friends for my situation. I don’t need anymore,” she whispers into her menu.

“Hey.” I stop and wait for her to look up. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I won’t go there,” I promise and she nods. I don’t know how she does it, how she pulls off being so calm after everything her and her family have been through.