Chapter Fifteen

 

 

Grey went back to work on Saturday. His leg felt much better now that the antibiotics had brought the inflammation down. In fact, where the pain had been annoying before, a constant itch had taken over. He was more than ready for his leg to heal so he could get back to normal again.

One good thing had come out of this infection, though. He and Cora had been talking every day since his trip to the ER.

Most of the time, it was through text. But that day after he got back, she’d called him to see how his leg was doing. Grey took his cue from her and every day since, he’d called her in the evening before she went to work.

Today, he knew she had the day off. Meanwhile, he had a lot of work to do, including a stack of paperwork and several customers who had made appointments for later that afternoon. Brody could handle almost anything that came through the store, but occasionally they had customers who wanted to sell something large or obscure that Grey needed to check out and approve first.

He was sorting through those papers in the back office when Brody ducked in. “Hey, Boss Man. There’s a woman up front to see you. Says her name is Cora.”

Cora was here? He stood and went around to the front of his desk. “Go ahead and bring her in.”

“Sure thing.”

Moments later, he returned with Cora in tow. She carried herself with purpose, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

“Thanks, Brody.”

Brody tipped an imaginary hat and left the office.

Cora took in the office. “Your store is nice. It’s got a great feel to it, and it’s a lot bigger than I pictured.” She took a seat when Grey motioned to it. “You’re doing really well for yourself here.”

“Thank you.” He sat down in his chair again. “We originally bought this place because it was big enough to do what I planned and have some room to grow. It was expensive up front, but it turned out to be a worthwhile investment.” He took in the way she was holding her hands in her lap and sitting like a statue. “Is everything okay?”

“I was out doing errands, and I ended up in this area. I knew you were returning to work for the first time today, and I guess I just wanted to check in and see how things were going.” Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “Although now I’m thinking I probably should have done that by text. I can go...”

Not on his life. “No, I’m glad you came by.” That she made the effort to come in was more than encouraging.

“Really?” She looked relieved as she relaxed a little. “I nearly talked myself out of it two or three times on my way over.” She laughed nervously. “I wasn’t sure how far this friendship truce really reached.”

“I’m trying to figure it out, too. Besides, I visited where you work. It’s only fair that you visit me here.” He used his good leg to push his chair away from the desk. “Truthfully? The leg is feeling quite a bit better. It’s not so much the walking that bothers me as bumping into things. I had no idea I was this clumsy before.”

Cora thought a moment. “It will have been a week tomorrow since you cut your leg. You can have the stitches removed anytime.” She shook her head. “It feels like it’s been so much longer than a week, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, it does.” It’d be great to get the stitches removed. That had to help with the itching. “I was planning on going in to see my doctor on Monday. Or is that something you could do and save me a copay?”

She looked surprised at his question. “I could definitely remove them for you. It really depends on what you’re comfortable with.”

That was an easy decision. “I’d prefer it if you’d do it.” He couldn’t quite tell what she was thinking, and the last thing he wanted to do was make her uncomfortable. “You know, I don’t want to take advantage of your nursing skills, Cora. It’s okay, I’ll go see my doctor on Monday.”

“No, it’s fine. I really don’t mind.” It looked like there was something else she wanted to say, but she held back. “You’ll have to text me your address, I’m afraid the selfie from that night after you left the hospital isn’t much to go on.”

He laughed. “Not a problem.” He went ahead and sent the address while he was thinking about it. “Is tonight okay?”

“Sure, that’ll be fine. What time are you off work?”

“Let’s go with five-thirty.” He paused. “Is there any chance I could get you to stay for dinner? Nothing fancy, just something to say thanks.” He half expected her to decline immediately and was surprised when she only thought a moment before answering.

“Dinner sounds good.”

They smiled at each other in an awkward yet understanding way. It reminded Grey of when they were back in high school. They were interested in each other then, yet both afraid to say anything.

Cora stood from her chair. “Well, I should go and let you get back to work.” She pointed to the large stack of papers on his desk.

He groaned. “Yeah, things built up when I was gone. I hate paperwork. I’ll see you later?”

“I’ll be there.” With a little wave, she turned and walked out of his office.

Hurting his leg had been unfortunate, but he was thankful it’d happened. If it weren’t for that injury, he doubted he and Cora would be talking right now. Satisfied with how things were progressing between them, he tried to switch gears and focus on getting some work done.

 

~*~

 

That evening, Grey made sure his house was picked up and at least the bathroom had been cleaned. He’d thought about what he should make for dinner and finally settled on ordering pizza. He wanted to wait and make sure she still liked the same kind of pizza first, though.

Cora arrived right on time. He opened the door and ushered her inside. “Did you find the place okay?”

“I did.” She took in the living room. “This is really nice. Do you own it?”

“I just rent. Although I’ve been impressed enough with the neighborhood that I’d consider it if the owners ever think about selling.” He took the heavy jacket she was wearing and laid it over the top of a small table nearby. “It looks like fall may be finally settling in, doesn’t it?”

“It’s about time, too.” She smiled. “Can you believe Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away? It’ll be Christmas before we know it.”

The year did seem to be flying by. “So, I figured we’d just order pizza since cooking has never been my strong point.”

“Your spaghetti was always good.”

He grinned. “That all came from jars, and I think time has clouded your memory of how truly terrible it was.” They both laughed. “Is Italian sausage still your favorite?”

“Yes, but with black olives included.”

He nodded as he made a mental note. “Interesting combination. Okay, let me call that in. Then maybe we can get the stitches out before it gets here.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

He called and placed the order. Meanwhile, Cora rummaged through her medical kit and pulled out a small pair of scissors.

“This should be easy. I’m just going to wash my hands and pour some alcohol over these scissors and we’ll be ready to go.”

She didn’t wear gloves this time, and her soft, warm fingers gently tugged on the stitches after she cut them. She pointed to the tiny holes in his skin that they left behind. “These should close up, and you’ll barely be able to see them. With this kind of injury, the stitches needed to stay in longer to heal properly, which always increases the chance they’ll leave behind scars as well.” She told him about a cream he could get and apply that would minimize the scarring.

He thanked her, although he wasn’t too concerned about how obvious the scar was since it was just on his leg.

“Thank you. That already feels a lot better. They were getting itchy.”

“I’m sure.” She cleaned up her supplies and set the medical bag on the table by her jacket. “Have you talked to your mom at all since the trip? How is she doing?”

“She’s good. Already talking about what she’s cooking for Thanksgiving this year.”

“Oh, your mom’s Thanksgiving meals were always the best. I order those turkey meals from Boston Market now. They are really good, but still don’t hold a candle to your mom’s cooking.”

Mom would appreciate knowing that. Although the thought of Cora eating Thanksgiving dinner alone bothered him. “Oh! Flynn got that job he interviewed for.”

Cora smiled. “That’s great! I’m sure that’s a huge relief for all of them. Any news on Dare? Did his boss forgive him for not being at work on Monday?”

“He’s still got his job, but poor Dare isn’t sure he’ll get Thanksgiving off. I guess his boss was pretty upset he wasn’t there despite the fact Dare had a good reason. I told him he should look for another job after the new year.”

“That’s messed up. He really should. But it’d be good for him to stick it out until then.” Her mouth lifted in a smile. “You were quite the hit with Jen. She didn’t stop talking about you for the rest of that shift. I thought about setting the two of you up.”

Grey didn’t expect that and sat, unsure of what to say.

That’s when she laughed. “I’m kidding. About the setting you guys up part. I don’t think she’d be your type.”

She was right. He only had one type, and Cora fell right into the description of the perfect woman for him. “And what makes you say that?”

“Because she has a strict rule about not dating the same guy for more than three weeks before breaking it off. She thinks the solution to all of the relationship issues out there is to not have one.”

“Wow. That’s incredibly sad and jaded.”

“Yep.” It was clear she’d obviously accepted Jen for who she was.

“And you two are friends because…”

“We balance each other out, I guess.” Cora shrugged. “I’m trying to convince her to see things differently. And she keeps me from spending all of my free time reading books in my apartment.”

That took him back to when they were in school, and it concerned him. “You’re doing okay, right?” She gave him a funny look, so he elaborated. “I mean, you’re happy. Content with your life.”

Her eyes narrowed a little. “Where is that question coming from?”

“I just remember how you’d hide out in your room when school or your parents got overwhelming. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t a defense mechanism for you now.”

“A lot has changed, Grey. Just because I’m reading in my apartment instead of bar hopping doesn’t mean I’m unhappy.” There was an irritated tone to her voice.

“That’s not what I meant…”

Someone rang the doorbell. Cora jumped to her feet as though eager to end their conversation. “I’ll bet that’s the pizza. You want me to chip in?”

“Nah, I’ve got it.” He paid the delivery driver, tipped him, and set the two boxes on the kitchen table. “We’ve got Italian sausage with black olives for the lady, and supreme for me.” He pointed to a cabinet. “Plates are up there if you want to grab a couple for us. I’ll get the napkins.”

They sat down on opposite sides of his little table, their knees not quite touching each other beneath. After Grey said a prayer for the food and for getting them all home safely again after last weekend, they began to eat.

“I didn’t mean to offend you with my question earlier.” He paused, trying to formulate his thoughts into words. “I guess, after last weekend, I’ve found it difficult not to think about you. I just wanted to make sure you have a support system in place. We all need that.”

Her features softened. “I have a few friends. People that would help me if I asked, and that goes both ways. I’ll admit I probably focus more on my work than I should.”

“You’re doing a lot of good for a lot of people. That’s something to be proud of.” He meant every word.

“I appreciate that.” She picked a piece of sausage off her pizza and popped it into her mouth. “For the record? You may have entered my thoughts a few times since the trip, too.”

Grey nodded slowly and hid his smile with another bite.

They ate and talked mostly about the previous weekend. Comparing notes about things that people had said and done was interesting since they didn’t have a whole lot of time to talk openly about it at the cabin.

Once they’d finished their pizza, Grey stood again. “Do you have room for dessert?”

She gave him a look as though she couldn’t believe the question. “Of course!”

He closed the boxes of pizza before putting them in the fridge. Then he got two bowls out of the cabinet and retrieved the carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream he’d purchased earlier that day. When he held it up for Cora to see, her face brightened, just like he’d hoped it would.

“You remembered.”

Remembered that this was her favorite ice cream? He’d never forgotten. Over the years, he’d alternated between avoiding it because it reminded him of her, and eating some to relive those good memories. He didn’t tell her any of that, though. Grey simply smiled and scooped some ice cream into both bowls before storing the carton in the freezer again. After placing a spoon in each, he handed a bowl to Cora.

“Thank you.” She took a bite and nodded her approval. “So good.” Then she laughed. “Do you remember that time we finished the ice cream at your house, and Dare got so mad at us?”

Grey grinned. “He was furious. An hour or two after you went home, the ice cream truck came through the neighborhood, and Dare hounded me until I went out and bought him something. I’ve never seen someone love sweets like that guy.”

Cora shook her head, a wide smile on her face. “Okay, did you know he’s quite the matchmaker?”

His eyes widened. “How’s that?” He knew Dare had spoken to him at length but had no idea his brother had done the same with Cora. Grey took a bite of his own ice cream.

“Oh, he was somewhat subtle, but he pretty much insinuated that you and I were a good team, and that he hoped he’d be seeing me again soon.”

She was still chuckling, and he joined her, but he really wanted to know what she thought about that. He happened to agree with Dare, but did Cora? “I don’t think he’s wrong.”

“True. We can be a pretty hard team to beat.”

“When we stopped working together and watching each other’s back is where we messed up.”

They looked at one another, and Grey was pretty sure the echo of memories in her eyes reflected the same in his. At some point, they lost that connection somehow, and they’d both suffered for it.

The question of the night was whether it was too late for them to find their way back again.