CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Peter finished his last appointment. His mind kept jumping ahead to Mar y Sol. Although he would have preferred to ask Hailey on a date in his own way, he had to laugh at her grandmother’s insistence. Or was that audacity? And the blush that colored Hailey’s cheeks made him smile. It was the same color as when she spilled her salad on him.

He hoped he wasn’t crossing some sort of line by taking a patient’s granddaughter on a date.

“So what are you up to tonight?’ Joyce said as she leaned against the doorjamb.

“Uh, not much.”

“A few of us are going out for drinks and dancing. You should meet us there.” Joyce ran her fingers through her hair. It was probably meant to be enticing, but it only made Peter want to run as fast and as far away from her as possible.

“Actually, I can’t.” He wrote a few notes, hoping Joyce would think he was busy and leave him alone.

“Why not?” He could hear the pout in her voice.

“I already have plans.” He suddenly felt grateful for Hailey’s grandmother.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She licked her lips. “Maybe next time.”

He had no desire to spend a social evening with Joyce, especially dancing with her. No thank you. Peter didn’t want to offend her, so he said, “Maybe.” He clicked off his computer and grabbed a file folder. “Can you take this to the front?”

Joyce begrudgingly held out her hand and took the folder. “Sure.”

Peter stood and said, “Thanks for all you do, Joyce. I appreciate it.” Before she could say anything laced with innuendos, Peter stepped past her into the hall and made his way out the back door.

In his car, he took a few moments to contemplate. Was it wise to go on this date with Hailey? He’d been adamant about avoiding any complicated relationships at work because he didn’t want any problems, and especially because he didn’t want to get involved with Joyce. She wasn’t his type. She was the opposite of his type.

It was different with Hailey. He’d been drawn to her the first time they’d met. Her sweet smile and natural beauty appealed to him, but more than that, the way she loved her grandfather showed him how kind and caring she was.

His phone vibrated and he pulled it from his pocket.

Benji wants you to come over for a movie tonight.

He pondered what to text back so he didn’t let on that he had a date with Hailey. I’d love to, but I can’t.

Why not?

What should he say? He didn’t want to lie to Laura, but he didn’t want her to hit him with a bunch of questions either. I’m going to Mar y Sol.

That festival?

Yeah.

What time? Benji and I can meet you there.

Now what? He tapped out, I’m not going by myself.

Who with?

He didn’t want to answer. What if he didn’t text back? He knew that wouldn’t work, because Laura would start calling him. Maybe if he said he was going with a friend that’d work. Because he and Hailey were friends. That was all. A friend.

A woman?

Why did his sister have to be so nosy? Yes.

His phone started ringing. Great. Exactly what I didn’t want. But Laura wouldn’t give up, so he reluctantly answered. “Hello?”

“Are you going on a date?”

He forced out a puff of air. “Yes.”

“With who?” his sister asked eagerly.

He might as well tell her and get it over with. “Hailey.” There, he’d said it.

A long silence passed, and then Laura asked, “The woman at the restaurant?”

“Yes.”

“How did that happen?” He could picture his sister’s face filled with anticipation.

He didn’t have time to tell her. “It’s a long story, but I need to go.”

“I want the details,” she demanded.

“Okay.”

“Text me later. After the date. I want to know all about it.” Laura was probably jumping up and down that he was finally going on a date.

“I will.”

“Peter?” she said softly.

“Yeah?” What was she going to say now?

“I’m happy to hear this. Go out and have fun.”

“Thanks.” He ended the call.

He dropped the phone in his lap. He’d been playing it safe for years. Ever since Sara. Maybe it was worth the risk to get to know Hailey. After all, he still wanted the dream—a house, wife, kids with bikes strewn on the front lawn. He thought he’d had it, but it had slipped through his fingers like grains of sand. He could keep protecting his heart, but that would leave him empty and alone. Like Laura said last night, he’d be a lonely old man. Hailey seemed to be the kind of woman he’d want to date. Maybe even the kind of woman he’d want to love.