Dreams of Us

by St. James, Brooke

"Yeah but I would understand if it was for true looove," he said dramatically.

  "Well you're a guy and she's a girl, and they were here on a date, not as friends. It's different."

  He shrugged. "Either way, I'm glad to have my dancing partner back." He held out a hand in a way that said he wanted to dance, and I obliged. I had no idea when I would see or hear from Jordan Crawford again, and I was happy for any distraction that came between now and then.

  The ball was on a Saturday evening, and I spent the entire next day wondering if I had actually seen Dr. Crawford, or if I had hallucinated the whole thing. I thought I remembered details of our encounters, but honestly it seemed too good to be true, and I convinced myself I was making half of it up. It seemed as though he was as into me as I was with him, but as the day went on I started to doubt myself—especially once I put it in the context of everything Ben had said.

  My friend, Lexie, came over that afternoon, and I began telling her the story. She remembered meeting Dr. Crawford and knew I was infatuated with him while I was in the hospital. She was amazed to hear that I had run into him. As soon as she got to my apartment, we set out to the coffee shop a few blocks up the street. I recounted the details as we walked.

  "It's a good thing you looked hot last night," she said, after I told her everything.

  I couldn’t help but laugh at the fact that it was the first thing she thought of. "Certainly better than I looked in the hospital," I said, still giggling.

  "I can't believe you were kissed by two guys in the same night," she said. "Especially when you consider that before last night, it had been literally years—and then all of a sudden, two hot guys in the same night."

  "It wasn't even like that with Ben," I said.

  "Yeah, but you have to admit, it was sort of awesome that he said all that stuff about leaving his date if he were in Jordan's shoes."

  "Do you think he had a point?" I asked, even though I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer.

  "Who am I to say?" she said shrugging. "I mean, yeah sure, it would be really cool for a guy to abandon all rationale and ride off into the sunset with you, but what are the chances of that happening?"

  "I think he would've done that if I would've asked him to," I said, as much to myself as to her.

  "I'm sure he would've," she assured me.

  We put our conversation on hold as we entered the coffee shop and ordered our drinks. The place was called The Big Heavy, and it was the hippest of hip when it came to coffee shops. It was one of those places where your body had to be at least three-quarters covered in tattoos to pick up an application. Dreadlocks were a bonus. Lexie and I looked like Sporty Spice and her twin sister compared to most of the people there, but it had a cool vibe, and we hung out there almost every time she came to my apartment.

  She had a thing for one of the guys who worked there, but he wasn't behind the counter that afternoon. We got our drinks and sat at a table near the window so we could watch foot traffic on the street. She was curious about the charity ball and asked more questions, which I answered gladly since I enjoyed reliving the whole thing. It cracked her up that Dr. Crawford was stunned at the sight of me being there with Ben, and that he was jealous enough to interrupt our dance.

  It gave me butterflies just to recount the story, but they were nothing compared to the ones I felt when I glanced at my phone a little while later. I had a text from a number I didn't recognize, and of course, I hoped and assumed it was Jordan Crawford.

  Unknown Number: "Is this Bailey Black?"

  I grinned from ear to ear as I read the text, which, had been sent nearly an hour before.

  "What in the world are you looking at?" Lexie asked, noticing my grin.

  "I got a text."

  "What's it say?"

  "It says, 'is this Bailey Black'?"

  "Aaand that's what you're smiling at?" she asked sardonically.

  "It's from an unknown number," I added.

  "So you think it's the doctor?"

  I nodded and looked at her with wide eyes. "What do I say?"

  She laughed. "You say 'yes this is Bailey Black. Who's this?' Or you could just not respond to it."

  I laughed. "Yeah, that's a good idea," I said sarcastically. "It's probably no one I'm interested in talking to, anyway."

  She knew I was being silly, and didn't bother responding. It was better that way because I was preoccupied with composing a text.

  I typed: "Yes it is. How can I help you?"

  I showed it to Lexie before I pressed send, and she shrugged as if it was as good a response as any.

  "What if it's not even him?" I asked.

  "Who else would it be?"

  "I don't know. I'm just trying not to get my hopes up."

  My phone lit up within a minute after I sent the text. I squealed as I picked it up, and Lexie cracked up at my reaction. I blinked at the screen, trying to focus on the words even though I was really nervous.

  Unknown Number: "You can help me by saying I can see you again."

  I put a hand over my mouth and stared at Lexie with wide eyes. I flashed the screen in her direction so she could read it.

  "What are you gonna say?" she asked.

  "What should I say? Should I play hard to get?"

  She giggled. "Ask who it is."

  I typed out another text.

  Me: "Who is this?"

  I bit my lip as I read it, wondering if it was the right thing to say. I pressed send before I could overthink it.

  "I can't believe I just did that!" I said, slapping a hand to my forehead. "Why'd I do that?"

  Lexie shrugged and laughed.

  "I'm glad you're getting a kick out of this," I said.

  My phone vibrated in my hand, and I looked down at it.

  Unknown Number: "I hope you're kidding."

  Me: "I hope you're Dr. Crawford."

  Unknown Number: "Jordan to you."

  Me: "In that case, yes, I think we should probably see each other again."

  I pressed send.

  "What are you guys saying?" Lexie asked.

  I passed her the phone. She was only reading for a few seconds when she handed it back to me. He's texting again.

  Jordan: "How about now?"

  "He's asking if he can see me now," I said, staring at Lexie with a stunned expression.

  "Tell him yes!" she said as if that should be obvious.

  "I'm not dressed for the ball. I'm like Cinderella the next day when the guy comes around with that glass shoe."

  "He still loved her that day, didn't he?"

  "I'm no Cinderella, though."

  "Yes you are, Bailey. Don't say that. You're beautiful."

  "I'm not talking about looks."

  She stared at me as if trying to figure out what I was talking about.

  "Never mind," I said. "Everybody has their thing."

  Her look of confusion intensified, but I didn't bother explaining. She was the type of friend who wouldn't ask me to, and I loved her for that.

  I stared at my phone, typing another text.

  Me: "Now is perfect."

  Jordan: "Where are you?"

  My stomach tied into knots the instant I read his words. It sunk in for the first time that I might actually see him.

  Me: "Having coffee with a friend at The Big Heavy coffee shop."

  Jordan: "Want some more company?"

  Me: "Yes, please."

  Jordan: "Give me twenty minutes."

  Chapter 9

  "Oh my goodness, he's coming here right now. He said give him twenty minutes. What am I gonna do?"

  Lexie laughed at me. "You're gonna wait twenty minutes for your man to get here, then I'm gonna say all sorts of good stuff about you when he does."

  That made me giggle. "You called him my man just now."

  "The way you tell it, that's exactly what he is."

  "I hope I'm telling it right," I said.

  "I'm sure you are."

  Her coffee shop crush
walked in the front door at that moment, and our conversation focused on him. We thought he would clock in and go behind the counter, but instead, he ordered a drink and had a conversation with the people who were working before sitting at a table by himself and opening his laptop.

  "It's really cool that he likes his job enough to go there on his day off," Lexie said.

  "I wouldn't peg him as the type who would work here, much less hang out here in his off time."

  "Why not?" she asked.

  "Because he looks so normal compared to the rest of them. You know, clean cut and everything."

  I could tell by Lexie's expression that she hadn't even thought of that. It was as if she didn't notice that everyone else who worked there looked like they owned stock in a tattoo shop.

  She and I planned several attempts at making conversation with the handsome barista, but didn't follow through with any of them. It's difficult to interrupt someone when they're staring intently at a laptop. We were giggling about cheesy pick up lines that would never work when she all of a sudden grew serious and said, "There's your man."

  My heart began beating rapidly. It was pounding like jackhammer before I even turned to lay eyes on him.

  "Oh my gosh, he is smokin' hot," she said, staring at him with a stunned expression. "I can't believe I forgot how hot he was."

  "Quit talking like that. You're making me nervous. Where is he? Did he come in?"

  "He's walking in right now. You need to turn around. He's looking for you."

  I turned, and Lexie continued talking even as I did.

  "He's gorgeous," she said at my back. "I can't believe you kissed him on the lips." I knew she thought she was being funny, but I was already nervous enough as it was. I turned to face her with a you better be quiet expression that only served to make her giggle.

  By the time I turned around again, Jordan had caught sight of us and was headed in our direction. He was looking straight at me with a smile as he approached.

  "Seriously, he's amazing," she mumbled.

  He was wearing athletic clothes—nice, fitted sweatpants, with a zippered hoodie layered over a t-shirt. He looked like a Nike ad. He ran a hand through his dark hair, which made him look even more like a commercial. I could not refrain from standing up to give him a hug as he approached. I started to give him a non-committal, sideways hug, but he squeezed me tightly and kissed me on the head. I felt extremely relieved to have him in my arms, and the funny thing was, I could tell it was the same for him. I could feel it in the way he breathed. I pulled back just enough to stare at him, and we smiled at each other.

  "I'm glad you're here," I said.

  "Probably not as glad as I am."

  "Believe me, she's pretty dang glad," Lexie said.

  His smile broadened as his attention focused on her. "Rebecca, Lexie, or a name that starts with a vowel. Emma?" he asked without taking his arm from around me.

  "You're good!" she said. "I'm Lexie, and Emily's the name you were searching for. But, more importantly, do you remember the teddy bear's name?"

  He smiled. "How could I forget Alan?"

  She laughed. "What a memory!"

  He smiled. "Good to see you again," he said, shaking her hand.

  We were sitting at a table for two against the windows, and Jordan pulled a nearby chair over so he could join us.

  "Sorry to interrupt you guys," Lexie's laptop man said, approaching our table, "but I just wanted to come say 'hey'." He looked at Jordan. "I'm glad I was here when you came by. Whatever you're having is on the house."

  Jordan was right in the middle of sitting down when the guy approached, but he stood again to shake his hand.

  "Reid Marshall, it's great to see you!" Jordan said.

  I glanced at Lexie whose face had crumpled into a hilarious expression for a split second while they weren't looking.

  "I'm glad you came in!" Reid said.

  "Is this your place?" Jordan asked, looking around as if he was impressed.

  "Yep. This is it."

  "It's nice. I didn't know what to expect when Bailey told me to meet her at The Big Heavy."

  Reid laughed, and he looked so handsome when he did, that I kicked Lexie under the table. She let out a tiny little squeal, but smiled and acted normal when everyone glanced at her.

  "Reid this is Bailey and Lexie," Jordan said, gesturing to us. Reid reached out to shake both of our hands.

  "I come, we come, we try to come in here every time I'm at Bailey's," Lexie said, obviously flustered. "She lives like two blocks away. We love this place. Did you just say it's yours?"

  Reid smiled at her. "As much as it can be, I guess. I opened it, and I basically live here, but somehow I feel like she owns me and not the other way around."

  Lexie laughed. She was devastated by his charm.

  "I think I've seen you two in here," he said.

  "Bailey lives two blocks away," she repeated.

  "How do you guys know each other?" I asked, gesturing from Jordan to Reid.

  "He put my leg back together a couple of years ago," Reid said.

  "How's it doing?" Jordan asked.

  "It's good. It's better when I remember to do my exercises, but you know how that goes."

  Jordan looked at me. "Reid rides a motorcycle. Unfortunately, I have quite a few patients who do."

  "I don't ride as much lately." He smiled. "A brush with death will do that to you."

  Jordan laughed and held up his hands. "Hey, I don't judge. I just do my best to fix what's in front of me."

  "You did a good job. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. Tell them I said it was on the house." Reid glanced at Lexie and me. "I wish I would've known these ladies were with you, I would've taken care of theirs as well."

  "You can buy me coffee next time," Lexie said.

  He smiled at her. "I'll have to do that." He shook Jordan's hand again before leaving our table.

  "So he rides a motorcycle and owns a coffee shop," Lexie said as Jordan sat down.

  "Do you want something to drink?" I asked Jordan before addressing Lexie's statement.

  "I think I will, actually," he said. "Do either of you want anything?"

  Lexie and I shook our heads, and Jordan stood up, yet again.

  "Reid's following him to the counter," Lexie whispered. I glanced over there, and could tell Reid was making sure everything was on the house for Jordan.

  "Can you believe he owns this place?" Lexie asked.

  "No. I thought he was a barista."

  "I think I'm in love," she said.

  I sighed. "Welcome to the club."

  "Yeah, but yours totally loves you back," she said.

  "You think?"

  "I know."

  "How?"

  "It's obvious."

  "What if I end up with him?" I asked.

  She giggled. "That's pretty much the only outcome I see happening at this point."

  Moments later, Jordan walked toward us with a coffee cup in his hand. He rubbed his eyebrows as he sat down.

  "I needed this," he said.

  "Long day?"

  He took a drink before glancing at me with a tired smile. "I was on call last night. I got called in at 2AM, and I just left the hospital an hour ago."

  I felt the urge to hug him. I wanted to touch him—to comfort him after such a long night.

  "I have the next two days off, though."

  I couldn't stand it any longer. I reached out and put my hand on his forearm. He put his hand over my hand, holding it in place. A rush of excitement hit me as he covered my hand with his. I looked down at it. His hands were surprisingly masculine for a surgeon. I'd never really inspected them before, and now that I was looking at them I could appreciate their ruggedness.

  "How'd you get tough hands?" I asked.

  "My calluses?" he asked, picking up his own hand to look at it.

  "Rock climbing."

  "You're a rock climber?" I asked.

  "Don't tell Dr. Ross," he said
, smiling. "He gets onto me about it all the time."

  "I've always wanted to try that," Lexie said.

  He looked at her with a smile. "You'd love it," he said. "We've got a few great climbing gyms here. You should try it."

  He faced me. "I was tempted to invite you to come with me when we were talking about exercise in the hospital, but I didn't want to overstep my bounds."

  "I'd love to try it," I said. "As long as you think my hand could hold up."

  He nodded confidently. "Don't get mad at me when you get hooked, though."

  We sat there for about an hour, talking about hobbies, food, music, and just about anything else you could think of. Jordan was smart, funny, and maybe sort of a little easy on the eyes. I couldn’t stop staring at him. I caught myself spacing out on his gorgeous curved lips. I could clearly remember what they felt like on mine, and it made me feel a warm fuzzy sensation.

  Eventually, Lexie said she needed to be going, so we walked her to her car, which was parked nearby. Jordan grabbed my hand the second we started walking. How was it that his touch had the ability to drive me this crazy? All we were doing was holding hands, and it was difficult for me to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other.

  The sun was setting, and I glanced at him as we walked. I loved everything about him. I loved the shape of his body. I loved his posture and his athletic stride. I barely even remembered the walk to Lexie's car. We left the coffee shop, he held my hand, I stared at him, and boom, we were there.

  I gave Lexie a hug and told her I was glad laptop guy turned out to be even more of a catch than we expected. She laughed and vowed to land a date one day. Jordan offered to assist, but she said she wanted to do it fair and square. And just like that, he and I were alone.

  "I dreamed about you, Bailey Black," was the first thing he said to me after she drove away. We were standing on the sidewalk, and he turned to me when he said it. His thumb brushed the back of my hand, sending chills up my spine. My eyes roamed over his face, and I caught myself feeling like I wanted to reach out and touch his face. When I didn't say anything right away, he continued. "I'm not just saying that to be romantic. I literally have dreams about you. Since the day I met you, I dream about you on a regular basis. I've always been a vivid dreamer, and sometimes they reoccur, but nothing like this. Even when I tried to forget about you, I still kept right on having those dreams. You're my dream woman, and I mean that in the most literal way possible."