The nurses’ station was empty as she passed and the hall was quiet. She glanced at Elijah’s closed office door. Light shone through the frosted glass but she couldn’t tell if he was there or not. Charity reached for her father’s door handle and turned. She expected it to be locked but it opened.
It felt eerie walking in, like she was snooping and shouldn’t be there. She walked over to his desk and turned the desk light on. She ripped a sheet of paper off a pad he had by the phone.
You left your phone in the car.
I’ll see you tomorrow night.
Charity
She cleared a few things from the middle of his desk so he would see his phone right away and left the desk light on. She glanced out the window; it had grown dark quickly. “That time already,” she mumbled to herself and then giggled when her stomach rumbled in agreement. She pulled her own phone out and sent Mr. Bott a message to confirm the location was a go and he could charge the deposit to her Visa card. She’d send the number in the morning after he sent the contract. The deal was sealed.
Elijah’s light was off when she left her dad’s office. Too bad. She could have knocked on his door and asked if he wanted to grab something to eat. She walked down the hall to the elevator trying to decide what takeout to order.
“Hey, stranger!” Elijah stood by the elevator. He wore jeans and a tee shirt under his leather jacket.
“Hi. You done for the evening?”
The elevator door slid open. Elijah stepped aside to let her in first. “Just finished. You visiting your dad? I think he’s in surgery.” He pressed the “G” for ground floor and the door paused a moment before closing.
“He is. He forgot his phone in my car so I was just dropping it off.” Her stomach rumbled again, echoing in the elevator. Elijah’s eyebrows shot up at the sound and she laughed as she covered her tummy. “Sorry, I’m apparently starving.”
“Either that, or you found a baby tiger and you’re trying to hide it in your jacket.”
“I wanted a baby tiger when I was about four. My dad wouldn’t let me have one.”
“The nerve of your dad!” he joked. “I’d have let you have one.”
She grinned. She’d just found the perfect location for the gala and felt like celebrating a bit. Her dad had actually liked the location. Giddy with pride, she decided she was slightly invincible tonight. The elevator door creaked as it slid open. “Are you up to anything? I’m about to grab something to eat and apparently my stomach is treating.” She knew his reputation, but it would just be dinner. No biggie.
Elijah followed her out and glanced around the lobby. “Sssssure, I’m game.” His eyes swept the room again. “Let’s go.” He walked quickly to the revolving doors.
“Where do you want to eat?” she asked when they stepped outside. She wrapped her coat tighter around her; the air had turned chilly. “Do you want me to drive?” She slapped her forehead. “I’m in the visitors’ parking and didn’t put any money in the meter. I just ran in when I realized my dad forgot his phone. Crap! I better not have a ticket.”
“I’m not fussy.” He followed her. “You grew up around here, right? Any hidden gems?”
“Hmm…” She chewed her lower lip. “Do you like Thai food? If it’s still downtown, there’s a great little place called Salathai.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Charity clicked the unlock button on the rental car and walked around to the driver’s side, checking for a ticket on her windshield. Thank goodness. No ticket. She’d gotten lucky.
“What happened to the Mustang?” Elijah said as he climbed in the passenger side.
“Ha ha.” She pretended to punch his shoulder but just tapped it lightly instead. “I got a lady teller at the car rental place this time.” She started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.
“That sucks.” Elijah’s eyes followed the entrance of the hospital as they drove past it.
Charity watched him from the corner of her eye. “Are you supposed to be meeting someone?”
“Me? No.” He straightened to face forward.
“Really? ‘Cause you’re acting like you don’t want to get caught hanging with me.”
He sighed and scratched the back of his neck. “No! That’s not it. I, uh, I went out with a nurse and she, um, kinda thinks we’re a serious item.”
Charity burst out laughing. “Now why would she think that? She new?” When he nodded, she chuckled again. “So she’s into you a bit more than you’re into her?”
“You could say that.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m glad you find it amusing. She’s pretty much stalking me.”