“Really,” Annie whispered to Carlos, as he invaded her personal space. “I’d love to come next week to that potluck, but I... ah, have plans.”

She heard someone clearing his throat. Annie looked up and froze. Out of all the times to show up...

Grayson hoisted a bouquet of blue lilies at her, “Got this for you. But if you’re busy, I can go...”

“No,” Annie staggered his way, practically yelling the word. “No, please, I...”

She eyed his furious face meekly. Clearly, he’d seen the whole thing with stupid Carlos. The new-ish nurse had been trying to get with her since she’d gotten back from the wedding, but she thought he would’ve at least saved his flirting for the break room.

“Want to go to the cafeteria?” Annie asked.

“Sure,” he said, curtly.

As they walked there, he said nothing, although Annie’s brain hummed along enough for the both of them. With Grayson showing up like this, that could only mean one thing; he’d heard her voicemail and wanted to give it a try. Give them a try. Right?

And then, there was that bouquet – she’d mentioned that blue lilies were her favorite in passing, and he’d remembered.

But, after what he’d seen with Carlos, what if he’d finally had enough? Once she explained everything to him, he’d have to understand. Have to.

In the cafeteria, it wasn’t hard finding an empty spot – they were all empty.

“So,” Grayson said, as soon as they sat down. “You’re moving on already. Guess that message was bogus.”

“You didn’t respond anyway,” Annie shot back.

Grayson shoved the paper-wrapped bouquet at her, “Guess this isn’t a response.”

“This is five days later.”

“So I’m not allowed to have some time to think? How you did?”

“You don’t even understand the situation anyway,” Annie snapped.

“Oh yeah? Try me.”

Annie jabbed her finger back the way they’d come. “When you arrived, I was just telling Carlos that I couldn’t go with him to his potluck because I was busy.”

“Sure seemed close when doing so.”

Annie glared at him, “I’m tired, ok? And moody. So forgive me if I don’t become a Personal Bubble Nazi every time some guy is close to me. Anyway, it’s not like I’m dating anyone anyway.”

“No, you’re not.”

Annie glared at him.

“Clearly, I’m the idiot here,” Grayson stood up. “Came all the way here to tell you I got reassigned to this frozen metropolis, only to find that you don’t give a damn anyway.”

Annie stood up, “Who said that?”

Grayson smoothed his shirt, not looking at her. “Actions speak louder than words.”

“Speaking of...” Annie was finding it hard to maintain her scowl with the way his words were rolling in her mind. “Did you actually get–”

“Reassigned, yeah. To see some girl. Take a chance,” his lips flattened. “Still not sure if it’s worth it, though.”

Annie crossed her arms across her chest. “Oh yeah? What would she have to do to make you sure?”

“For starters, tell me if she still meant what she said in that voicemail.”

Annie walked around the table, stood so her gaze leveled with his. “Every word.”

He nodded.

“What else?” she asked.

“Then, I’d want her to kiss me.”

Annie wasted no time in pressing her lips to his. In a soft voice, she asked, “And then?”

His fingers threaded through hers. “And then, I’d have to see if she’d come on a date with me.”

She was standing on tiptoe now, their lips a breath apart, “And if she agreed?”

“Then, I’d do this.”

And then he kissed her, and that was all the answer she needed. Present, future, whatever came, she knew. With Grayson by her side, together, they could face it.

And would.