There he is again. I guess I should start preparing myself for weekly run-ins with Mike. Seems he's gonna be a regular around the clinic for awhile.
He's dressed in a plain white V-neck and a pair of dark gray jeans. Simplicity at its best. It's disgusting how not disgusting he looks. He almost makes me wish I was blind. Maybe then I'd be able to get over him.
"Hey, Lindsey," he greets, polite but not overly enthusiastic.
"Mike," I return. "Good to see you."
"Same," he nods.
I get him checked in and he takes a seat as usual. His appointment doesn't take nearly as long as it usually does. He's in and out before I'm able to escape for lunch. I've already clocked out though and have my purse slung over my shoulder when he exits the hallway.
"You leaving?" he asks, stopping at the desk where Abby proceeds to schedule his follow-up while trying not to make her attraction to him too obvious. She even goes so far as to prop her chin in her palm to give off a nonchalant vibe. It's failing miserably... mainly because she keeps laughing every time he glances in her direction. Her laugh is painful to listen to in normal circumstances, but add nerves and too much caffeine to her pitiful attempt at restrained giggles and I'm ready to dig my eardrums out.
"Yeah," I nod, tilting my head toward the exit. "Lunch."
"Ten next Wednesday okay?" Abby cuts in, shooting me a look.
Apparently, she thinks she's saving me from an awkward situation, but nothing could be more awkward than what Mike and I have already endured: the kiss, his war story, him feeling my scar, the bomb drop about Haley. Small chit chat is now a walk in the park.
Speaking of parks, from the looks of it, today might just be the perfect day for lunch in the park. It's bordering on too hot, but there's a nice breeze. With Mike's back to me, I assume our discussion is over and make my way out the door.
I'm already to my car when I hear Mike call for me. Rolling down my window, I peer up at him as he comes to a stop beside my door.
"Wanna grab lunch with me?" he asks, not the slightest bit hesitant or unsure of my response. He knows I can't turn him down and I hate that he's right. "I feel kind of bad about ditching you the other night. Wanted to make up for it."
"Oh." I'm surprised. Since his return, I haven't caught any evidence that he even possesses feelings outside of his own inner turmoil. From his behavior, everything he's dealing with is very personal and deep. For the first time, he's admitting to feeling bad about how he's treated me, rather than subconsciously seeking pity for the hell he went through in the war. Progress?... Maybe.
"Do you have plans already?"
I sort of want to say yes because the thought of chilling in the sunshine while I slurp a chocolate milkshake sounds a whole lot better alone. But one look at his serene face and I'm giving in. I'd hate to be the one to disrupt the happy flow of his day.
"No," I hurry to assure him. "Was just gonna go to the park. You're welcome to join me."
He smiles, the first genuine smile I've seen in the three weeks since he's been back—that's if we don't count the night of the cookout and his drunken delirium.
"Sounds great. Which one?"
"Rotary," I suggest, since it's the park closest to the clinic.
He nods. "You want me to pick you up something?"
"No, that's fine," I tell him. "I actually brought my own. I was just gonna grab a drink somewhere."
"Alright. See you there." He smiles again and I can't help the horrible thought that he must be on drugs or something. All this smiling is messing with my head.
YOU ARE READING
Origami Heart (Book 3 - DP series - COMPLETE)
Romance(COMPLETE) After dropping out of college to join the military, Mike wasn't heard from again. Now, six years later, he's sauntering back into town with new hair, a new physique, and... a new personality? He's definitely not the man Lindsey remembers...