As she waited her turn in line, Alexis watched the young pilot. It was rare to see him outside his usual boisterous self. Finding him in this setting, with his long legs crossed in front of him, and his nose stuck in a book, presented a whole new light on the man. Alexis was intrigued, never having taken him for a reader.
Obtaining her coffee, Alexis made her way to Declan. “In all the coffee shops, in all the cities...” Alexis quoted.
Declan’s eyes darted up from the book, a cool smile formed over his lips. “In all the world. She had to walk into mine,” Declan finished. “I love that movie, and what on Earth are you doing here?” he asked, a shy smile dimpling the corners of his mouth.
“I was on my way home and wanted some coffee. What’s your excuse?”
Earmarking his page, Declan laid the book down on the table next to his coffee cup. He waved his hand toward the chair in front of him, offering it to her, as he sat up straight in his seat, resting his ankle over his knee. “I just got back in town and wasn’t ready to head home yet.”
Alexis accepted his invitation. “I feel you there. This whole week has dragged for me.” Alexis sipped her coffee. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, tilting her cup back and forth on its axis.
“So, I take it you had a rough day?”
“Not rough. Just long.” Her toes pushed up on their own accord and her feet started to bounce.
His brow furrowed as he took a sip of his coffee. “Doesn’t Ryan come back on the redeye?”
Alexis bobbed her head, bringing the mouth of her cup to her lips. “Yep. And the only saving grace to my week.”
“I guess that means things are good between the two of you?” Declan followed suit, taking a sip from his own cup.
Her face screwed into deep lines, her legs halting. “Yeah...why?”
Declan glanced up at the ceiling. “It seems odd to me that you never spend the night. Unless you do it while I’m out of town, but with Ryan’s schedule...I mean, the guy’s never home. He’ll make captain before he knows what hit him,” he rambled.
Alexis’ head jerked, her brows drawn together. “Wait? What? Why would I stay the night?”
Declan smirked, biting his knuckle. “Um, Doc, do I really need to explain that to you?”
“Oh my god!” Alexis exclaimed, a bright blush flooding her cheeks.
Declan laughed, loud and hard. “I get the whole saving things ‘til marriage, but damn, the boy needs to get laid and soon.”
“We’re not together,” she blurted out.
Declan’s mouth dropped. “I thought…”
Alexis shook her head. “You thought wrong. He doesn’t see me like that.”
His brows narrowed and confusion outlined his face. “Are you sure about that?”
Alexis scratched the back of her neck. “Positive.”
He inclined his head, a deep sigh pouring from his lips. “If you say so, but I think you’re wrong. The man glows when you’re around.”
Her tongue darted out over her lips, a coy smile playing over them. “You make him sound pregnant.”
Declan cocked his head. “Is he?”
Alexis’ eyes widened with amusement. “If he is, it’s not mine.”
“There are tests to prove that, you know?”
Alexis was stumped. She laughed, but had no retort. An awkward lull developed between them. Declan shifted in his seat, the tip of his finger circling the rim of his cup. Alexis glanced down at hers, unsure why being together with Declan, alone, felt so weird. Declan chuckled breaking the silence.
“What’s so funny?” she inquired.
“I was just thinking...”
“I knew I smelt smoke.”
A cocky, half grin twisted Declan’s mouth. He crossed his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrows. “You think you’re so funny. Just for that, I’m not going to tell you about what happened on my plane tonight.”
Alexis let go of her coffee cup, her hands reached across the table to Declan. One of her favorite pastimes was listening to Ryan tell stories about things that happened on his planes. She had to hear Declan’s. “Tell me.”
Declan glanced down at her fingers wrapped around his wrist. She caught the look in his eyes and released him, inching her hands back. A strange expression passed over his face, but he pushed it aside, bringing back his cocky grin. Alexis raised her hands, her eyes widened and her lips pursed. “Don’t leave me hanging here.”
His shoulders lifted with a silent laugh as he retold the story of a young couple’s misadventure into the mile-high club. By the time he had completed his tale, Alexis was buckled over in laughter.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” she quipped, panting from her bout of laughter.
“I swear on the moon. It sounded like someone was dying in the lavatory. When we finally got the door open, his pants were around his ankles and her foot was lodged so deep in the toilet it took two attendants and the husband to get her out.” Declan scratched his head. “Come to think of it, it didn’t sound like someone dying so much as a pig squealing.”
Declan imitated the sound the woman had made.
Mid-sip of her coffee, Alexis sputtered her drink, spraying it everywhere. “Damn it,” she grumbled, still laughing at the mental image Declan’s story had created for her. She picked up a napkin and started cleaning up her spewage from herself and the table. “I swear you can’t take me anywhere.”
Declan passed her another napkin, his face bright red from laughing. “I don’t mind at all.” Alexis took the napkin and wiped it over her chin. “At least I got you to laugh.”
Making sure her face was clean, Alexis slurped the last of her coffee. She always hated when that last dropped disappeared. She sighed. “I really needed that. Thank you.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Alexis shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing to talk about. Really.” She wadded up the spent napkins, and rested them beside her cup.
Declan reached across the table and patted the top of Alexis’ hand. It didn’t produce the electrical spark that she always felt with Ryan, but Declan’s touch was still comforting.
“I’m sorry you had such a shitty day, but I’m glad you bumped into me tonight. Seeing you smile made my day,” Declan stated with a wink.
“I’m glad I bumped into you, too,” she agreed, glancing at Declan’s hand still over top of hers.
The vibration of her cellphone in her pocket caused her to jump. She pulled her hand back from Declan, slipping her phone out. Right on time, Ryan’s nightly message arrived. Her weary smile exploded into a genuine one as she swiped her finger over the bar to read the message.
Hope you had a wonderful day. Miss you loads.
“Secret admirer?” Declan questioned. His intention was to sound playful, but it came out more as an accusation.
“Just Ryan,” she responded, ignoring Declan’s invasive tone.
“I figured.”
Alexis’ head shot up, her eyes fixed on him. “How so?” Her voice rose an octave, as her shoulders rounded as she took in Declan’s accusing tone.
“Just a hunch.” Declan rubbed the back of his neck, looking down at the table that held his book, their empty coffee cups, and the massive pile of used napkins. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that to come out as it did. It’s just...your relationship...it seems…” he let out a frustrated sigh. “Can we start over?” A somber smile eclipsed his apologetic tone.
“Of course, but first, explain to me what you mean.”
Declan pressed his thumb into his eyebrow, chuckling. “I’d rather not.”
Alexis kicked his shin under the table. Declan let out a small yelp and grabbed his leg. “You better tell me,” she demanded, “or I won’t be so gentle the next time.”
“That was gentle?” He rubbed his shin. “Are you always so abusive?”
Alexis crossed her arms, smirking. “Do you really want to find out?”
Declan waved his hands in front of his
face. “Fine! You win. Have you ever wondered why I never asked you out?”
Tucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she pondered the question. “You know, now that you mention it…” she chortled.
He tapped his finger against the blackened screen of her cell phone that laid on the table. “Your boy, Ryan.”
A small gasp escaped her. “Whatever.”
“I’m serious. He damn near has a conniption when I let it slip that we talk. That’s why I thought you were together.”
Alexis let out a heavy sigh, her smile disappeared. Since Ryan’s reaction to their texting several months back, she’d done her best to keep things discreet between her and Declan. It wasn’t as if she wanted to pursue him as anything more than a friend, but hearing Declan’s description of Ryan’s reaction frustrated her. “I told you, he doesn’t see me like that.”
“I call bullshit. Now, tell me, what’s the real story?” Declan inquired.
Her shoulders dropped and her head fell, but for the first time since Jenna, Alexis opened up to someone. The memories of the past flowed out of her like a river of regrets and fears. The death of her sister, the loss of her family, the mere fact that she never wanted to suffer over love the way her mother did, everything she was certain Ryan knew, but never pressed her to explain was all out on the table. When she was done, Declan reached over and grabbed her hands.
“I get it. You’ve convinced yourself he doesn’t see you as more than a friend because you’re worried about Reagan, aren’t you?”
She took in several deep breaths, before she released them through her nose. “Tell me about her. Ryan’s so vague. I know they still hang out, and I can’t tell him not to. He owes me nothing, but I feel like he keeps us separated and we each have a different part of him.”
Declan scooted back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. “You couldn’t be more wrong, I can tell you that.”
“I know they slept together,” she blurted out.
“He told you that?” Declan appeared shocked and a little confused.
She shrugged, picking at her cuticle.
He scratched the top of his head, his face scrunched tight. “I don’t know how I can expand any further than that.”
“It was silly of me to ask.”
Declan reached out to touch her only to pull back. “No, it wasn’t. Look, all I know is they slept together once. I know I pull Ryan’s chain a lot about her, but I don’t mean it. I only do it to rile him up because I know how he feels for you.”
“How he feels about me?”
“I’m not touching that one with a ten foot pole.” He chucked her chin. “Just trust me when I say, don’t worry about Reagan. She’s not what I would call the committing kind of girl, if you know what I mean.” He clicked his tongue as he gave her a suggestive wink.
“Fine.” Alexis waved a hand in dismissal. She should’ve known Declan would’ve defended Ryan. And while he only meant to make her feel better, in turn he made her worry more. From what she’d seen on Ryan’s Facebook page, Reagan was gorgeous. She could easily understand why Ryan might be attracted to her. Determined to not let it bother her anymore for the night, she rolled her shoulders and released a cleansing breath.
She returned her gaze to her phone, knowing Ryan was probably wondering why she hadn’t replied yet. She rested her fingers against the flat surface. “You know, we should bump into each other more often,” she suggested. “I’ve enjoyed chatting with you tonight.”
“Remember what I said about Ryan having my balls on a platter? Try more like a skewer.”
Alexis blew raspberries, rolling her eyes. “If he can hang with Reagan, I can hang with you.”
Declan shook his head. “You’re asking for trouble, girly, but I’m game.” His laughter filled the cafe. “What do you say to us getting a bite to eat?” he offered.
“I’m not dressed to go out.” She pointed to her favorite black scrubs with hot pink trim. Her hair was pulled back, much like Mary’s had been, and she knew her makeup was far from flawless. She wasn’t the type to reapply even a smidgen of lipstick throughout the day, unlike how many of the other doctors and nurses did. “Plus, I really should be heading home. I told Ryan I’d meet him at the diner when he arrived. I don’t want to ruin my appetite.”
“I promise we won’t ruin your appetite. And you look amazing,” he complimented. “Besides, it’s not like this is a date or anything.”
Alexis laughed and nodded. “True. You have a fond attachment to your testicles from what I understand.”
Declan reached down between his legs. “A very fond attachment.” He squeezed and shook his package. Alexis gasped, pretending to cover her eyes.
“Point taken, although I have to say, I might need a microscope to find those things.”
“Oh, you didn’t just insult my thunder down under.”
Alexis’ mouth dropped open. “And you seriously didn’t just call your junk the thunder down under.”
It was at that moment Alexis’ stomach decided to join in the conversation and grumble with its need for sustenance. “Well, I guess that settles it,” Declan announced. “Your stomach just gave you away. Let’s get some grub.”
Embarrassed, Alexis flattened her hands over her stomach. “Fine. You win that round by default.”
Standing up, Declan picked up his book. “Believe what you want, Doc. We both know you were looking.”
Alexis smiled with rapt amusement. “True, but not for the reasons you think.”
He clicked his tongue, smirking. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, sweetheart.” He patted her head, grabbing their trash from the table. While he discarded of their garbage, Alexis snapped up her phone and replied back to Ryan.
It’ll be better when you get home. Miss you, too. Be safe and see you soon.
She ended the message with her standard heart emoticon and pressed send. Glancing up, she caught a glimpse of Declan perched by the door watching her. His book was tucked under his arm and his eyes narrowed as she slipped her phone back into her pocket. He graced her with a flattering smile, bowed his head, and opened the door for her. She stood up and walked over to him, patting his shoulder as she exited the shop. The night air was brisk, making her grateful she’d brought her windbreaker after all. There wasn’t a moon in the sky and the stars had no luster, even though it was a cloudless night. She inhaled the cool night air, feeling her phone pulse in her pocket.
“I’ll follow you,” she noted, pointing toward her car.
“Sounds good.”
They parted, each heading toward their respective vehicles. Once inside, she turned on the heat, pulling her phone back from her pocket as she waited for Declan. Ryan had responded to her message with nothing more than a heart, producing a smile to her face. Declan honked at her, bringing her back into the moment. She dropped her phone in the cup holder and followed him out of the parking lot. What she didn’t expect was for him to direct her back to his and Ryan’s apartment, where they shared in Declan’s exquisite cooking abilities, work horror stories, laughs, and one too many bottles of wine.
Home!
Before Alexis returned to his life, long trips had always been Ryan’s favorite. He never had any issues working week long stretches. More often than not, he even asked for more flight time. The more hours he accumulated the closer he came to making captain. But now, those trips almost killed him. He stopped asking for hours as often, because spending time with Alexis was his top priority. Anytime they were together his whole world felt complete. He savored their long talks, the sound of her laughter, the way she felt pressed against his body, but more than anything, he loved that she was starting to open up to him.
As soon as the plane landed, he messaged her, but no response came. He brushed it off thinking she was probably doing her last minute rounds. She’d told him she had a few days off from work, which excited him, as he was off work, too.
When he got to his car, he texted her again. A little reminder
that he’d made it home, but he got nothing in response, which was unlike Alexis.
There was a twinge of panic in his gut. Maybe something was wrong.
He shoved it aside as him overreacting and tried calling her. It was possible she’d fallen asleep at the hospital. It wouldn’t be the first time that’d happened. When it came to her patients, Alexis was a machine, one of the many qualities Ryan admired about her. “Lex, it’s me. I’m sure you’re okay, but I haven’t heard from you. I’m home. Call me and let me know if we’re still meeting at the diner.”
But still no response.
He stopped off at the diner, thinking maybe she’d gone straight there, or maybe her phone had died. But when he arrived, there was no Alexis.
Again, he called, “Okay, Lex, you’re starting to worry me. Call me, please.”
His mind whirled with an infinite number of possibilities of what could hold her up. The swirl of panic in his gut began to trickle up his spine. He headed to the hospital, only to find Mary, who’d informed him that Alexis had left work hours before. This worried him even more. Something had to be terribly wrong.
“Lex,” he called her again, “I’m on my way to your place. Please be there.”
But she wasn’t. Her car was gone and her apartment was dark. That didn’t stop him from banging on her door, hoping that maybe she was there but asleep. Who cared if the world was asleep? His girl was missing and it scared him to death.
On his way back to his car, he called her again, “Alexis, where are you? Please, if nothing more, let me know you’re safe.”
It was only a few blocks to his apartment, and in that time he contemplated contacting the police.
Maybe she’s at Miles’ place.
The instant that thought came into his head, it left. He knew better. Things between Miles and Alexis had become a little more cordial as time passed, but not by much. He couldn’t imagine her staying the night with them. Not if it meant her missing their time together.
Compass Page 14
