Maybe the date wouldn’t be so bad. He needed something new to focus on.
Rex stared at the message on his phone screen and tried to decide on an answer. Personnel moved around him, and he knew he needed to put the device away, but he didn’t recognize the number.
Are you a football or baseball kind of guy? Tell the truth. This is Gen’s friend Lauren, by the way.
He sighed, wondering if she really wanted the truth. Would my man-card be in danger if I said neither?
LOL! Nope. Just wondering if I should make reservations at a sports-bar or somewhere else.
No sports bar unless they have fantastic food.
Gotcha! You having a good day today?
Actually, he wasn’t. He’d hit the gym after work yesterday, and he’d strained something in his quad. Would she care? Not bad. Pulled a muscle working out.
Not an important one, I hope.
Rex burst out laughing. Okay, he hadn’t expected that. Only if I want to walk, I guess.
Lol
And that was the end of the conversation.
Later that night, though, he got a new message. How’s Hopalong?
Again, he shook his head, grinning. Hopping along, thank you for asking. How’s your night going?
Gen had told him they were both working night shifts, so he figured she was at work right now.
Oh, you know. Just the average almost-full-moon night of hookers, thieves and wanna-be cops.
Sounds busy.
Yeah, but I would rather be busy than bored.
Same, he typed out.
Current craziness…
A picture followed, and he couldn’t exactly tell what it was. Are those legs?
Yup. Homeless dude thought it would be a good idea to sleep in a storm drain. Good thing we haven’t had rain recently bc he’s stuck. Waiting on the FD.
Rex shook his head and moved to lean against the wall, out of sight of the other staff. Darwin at work?
LMFAO! You know, I really think that sometimes! Have a great night! Gotta go!
She texted him several more times over the next few days. Just little things, wondering how he was doing. She wasn’t invasive or anything, and he found himself looking forward to her little conversation gambits.
CocoPuffs or shredded wheat?
Shredded wheat bites with the sugar on top. And the more sugar the better, he typed back.
So true!
An hour later he got another message.
Cabin in the woods or shack on the beach?
Depends upon whom I’m with.
Oh, good answer! And a correct use of whom! I’m impressed.
Snorting, he dropped his phone in his pocket and pushed off the wall. He already liked this woman, and he hadn’t even met her.
Two more days.
CHAPTER FOUR
Lauren cursed as she caught the next red light, and the one after that. She was running ten minutes late. If she hadn’t left early, she would have been late, which she abhorred in a person. She slid into the parking spot three minutes before eight. Just enough time to check her lipstick, fluff her bangs and walk into the restaurant.
It was weird being out of uniform. In an effort to be cooperative, she’d dressed up a little. Meaning she put on nice dark skinny jeans and a pretty blouse, then some dangly silver earrings and a necklace. Her hair was down and curled in long, loose waves. She even added some makeup, more than what she normally wore to work. Gen had come over to critique her before she left.
“Do you even own a dress?” the older woman had asked, one brow lifted as she eyed her critically.
Lauren snorted. “Nope. Not that I would wear one for a man. What a waste that would be. If he doesn’t like me in jeans, then what’s the point? If I’m not in uniform, this is what I wear.”
Gen had sighed. “Yeah, I suppose.”
Lauren thought this was a waste of time. Gen had been after her for months, though, and she was tired of dodging. Tired of hearing how great her friend Rex was.
The first time she’d heard the name, Lauren had been jarred. Then the pieces had started to click together. Was this the same Rex that had been in the shooting last month? And had saved Mr. Ahmed’s life? Surely, they didn’t have two male nurses named Rex on staff at Santa Rosa Hospital?
The fact that she kind of knew the man added a different dynamic to the dinner. She remembered him as being a tall, blood covered mess with nice abs. And pretty, bright blue eyes that seemed haunted with memories. He’d been struggling with past trauma that night. If she was honest with herself, she remembered way more details about the man than she was comfortable with.
The last aspect was a worry. She’d dealt with Post Traumatic Stress in her last marriage, and it hadn’t ended well. Actually, it had been hell on earth for her and her son, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to deal with that type of situation again.
Lauren felt bad knocking the man out of the running before they even met. Not that there was anyone else competing, but… she was okay being alone, and running her little family the way it needed to be run. Keegan was more secure now, even though her work sometimes interfered with their routine. But that was when her mother stepped in to cover.
The only good mark on the night was that she knew he was funny, because he’d responded well to her text messages. And after a few days, even he had sent her some funnies. A sense of humor was paramount with her.
Lauren strode up the walkway and into the restaurant. It was one of the best in the area, and regardless of the outcome, she would get a good meal.
Once inside, she surveyed the tables. She didn’t notice him right away, so she smiled at the hostess. “I’m meeting someone here,” she started.
The girl held up a hand. “Are you Lauren?”
She nodded, a little worried.
“Follow me.”
The girl led her through the restaurant and out onto a patio in the back. There were only a few tables back here, and only one was occupied. He must have been watching the door, because he stood as soon as they entered.
Lauren stalled out a little, blinking, as he turned to face her. Holy hell…
The guy cleaned up like a dream. He’d been wounded and blood-soaked, and she hadn’t been able to see how handsome he was. And he was tall. At 5’ 9”, she was a little above average herself, and she really didn’t want to deal with any Napoleons. When she’d helped him up at the robbery, she’d been aware that he was rangy and muscular. A cop was always aware of that stuff, because there was always the possibility of having to fight the one you were helping. And she hadn’t forgotten the line of abs. But his face… It had been coated in blood at the scene, his dark hair mussed around his head. Now, though, she could see how incredibly handsome he was. Dark brown, curly hair rested just on his collar, and was gelled into place. Some rested over his forehead, covering where she remembered the graze being. His cheeks were lean, and he was clean shaven, highlighting a little divot in his chin. He smiled at her, and lines bracketed his mouth, but his eyes… they lit up. Lauren could see appreciation in his look, and she was a little glad she’d taken some extra time with her appearance.
This isn’t going to go anywhere, damn it, she reminded herself ruthlessly.
Boy, he was nice to look at without all the blood, though.
The hostess stopped at his table and dropped off a couple of menus. Lauren didn’t even hear her leave, because she was in front of Rex and looking up at him. “It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said, holding out her hand.