Chapter 30 - Cause of Death: Heart Explosion

Thirty minutes later, he pulled into the parking garage at the Summit Tower and parked a few cars down from my new SUV. "That's mine," I said, pointing to it as we walked to the exit.

"I like it. Did they treat you well at CarMart?" he asked.

"They did. Thanks to you."

He shook his head. "They would have anyway. They're a good company."

"Still, I appreciate you letting me throw your name around."

"Anytime."

We walked into the downstairs lobby. "You really don't have to walk me back to the office. I'm fine."

He laughed and looked over at me as he pressed the up button for the elevator on the wall. "No, I need to see you safely back to work because if I've learned anything in the very short time I've known you, it's you're a liability."

I playfully shoved his shoulder with my left hand, and he reached out and grabbed it. He didn't immediately let go. One Mississippi...two Mississippi...three Mississippi....

"I saw you trip on the stairs, by the way," he said, watching the numbers above the doors light up as the elevator descended.

"What? When?"

"The day I dropped you off after you wrecked your car. You tripped walking up the front steps outside."

I opened my mouth to lie, but what was the point? "I didn't know you saw that."

He chuckled. "I know."

Eight Mississippi.

The doors slid open and two men in business suits walked off. West's hand was still wrapped around mine when we stepped inside. I feared I might drop dead from a heart arrhythmia by the time we reached the sixteenth floor. He looked over at me from where he was leaning against the glass wall and handrail. "I'm sorry you hurt your hand today, Lucy, but I'm glad I got to see you."

God, I hoped my hand wasn't sweating in his.

"And I'm glad it wasn't broken," he said, cracking a smile.

I lifted an eyebrow. "Are you?"

He nodded. "Absolutely. It takes all the pressure off me having to plan a perfect second date."

Yep. I'm going to die. Cause of death: heart explosion.

"It's going to be hard to top urgent care though, so good luck," he said, managing to keep a straight face.

I wished I could say something witty back, but my mind had turned to goo...pink, bubbly, glittery goo. When the elevator dinged at my floor, I actually forgot to get off. West had to tug me forward before my feet started moving. He looked toward Claire's desk. "Think you can handle it the rest of the way by yourself?"

"I think so." But dang it, I didn't want to. "Thanks again, for everything, West."

He squeezed my hand. "I'll play the hero anytime you need me."

We lingered there for a moment, neither of us wanting to move. Finally, he smiled and took a step back, dropping my hand but not my heart as he backed away. "I'll see you Friday?"

"If you don't do anything between now and then to make me forget I've forgiven you for not calling." My brain definitely worked better outside his cologne-filled bubble of personal space.

He laughed and bowed to me at the elevator. "I wouldn't dream of it."

The doors slid open again, and he stepped backward inside.

I waved with my good hand. "Bye."

"Bye, Lucy."

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