Wildflower Hearts

12. Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

I t took an entire week, but she finally blocked the conversation with Elias from her mind by working double shifts. She ignored Melissa’s concerned jabs and the nurses who fussed at her. A firm, arched eyebrow and threat of reporting them for harassment, though they knew she never would, caused them to quieten, but she found that was short-lived as they merely waited several hours before ganging up on her again.

Lyla finished her task of cleaning up from the last patient’s discharge, not looking up when someone knocked on the open door. “Yes?”

“There’s a delivery for you at the front desk.”

“I’ll be right there.” She hesitated. “What is it?”

“I’m not sure. Melissa said you had to sign for it.”

“Oh, okay.”

“I’ll inform her you’re on your way.”

“Thank you.”

As she slipped from the room, her mind scanned through the list of viable options of what could be waiting for her. She hadn’t ordered any supplies, and no other packages for the hospital had been billed in her name to her knowledge. More than likely, Melissa was pulling another prank, and she was willingly falling for it again. A passing nurse winked as she walked by her, and she frowned. Maybe she forgot that she-

She stopped several feet from the nurses’ station. Noah was leaning against the counter talking to Melissa. He was dressed in ripped jeans and a black shirt with skulls covered by his black leather jacket. He said something that made Melissa laugh and smiled, the expression lighting up his entire face. It was at that moment that he saw her. Hands lowering to his sides, his gaze locked on hers. He moved forward at the same time that she did, ignoring the people bustling around them, and the eyes of several nurses, including Melissa, watching them.

Lyla tucked her hands into her scrub pockets to keep them from shaking. She shifted her feet uneasily. “What brings you to my floor?”

“I finished my final session today.” He scratched at the back of his neck. “I wanted to see you again before I left.”

“Well, you’ve seen me.”

He pursed his lips together. “I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry for what I did. I told Elias what really happened.”

“I know. Elias came to see me during one of your sessions a week ago.”

“Maybe things can still work out between you.”

She shook her head firmly and studied her shoes. “There is no Elias and me, Noah. He’s a good man. He’ll find someone else.”

“Look, I don’t want to waste your time, but hear me out.” He took another step toward her. “I was an idiot for acting jealous over Elias, but since the day I woke up and saw you holding my hand, I felt a strong connection to you. That feeling hasn’t gone away. I’ve tried to ignore it, and I can’t.”

She kept her eyes cast downward even when he grabbed her wrists and placed her hands into his.

“Please look at me.”

She raised her gaze to his.

“I’m sorry I hurt you, for pushing myself on you and treating you so horribly.”

“You didn’t-”

“Perhaps you’ll let me make it up to you.”

Frowning, she extracted her hands free. “I don’t want to cause any more issues between you and your brother. It’s been a year-”

“And I’ve hated every second of it—not being able to see or talk to you. Elias gets how I feel. He’ll understand if you feel the same way.” He paused, searching her eyes. “Do you feel the same way?”

It was mortifying to feel tears gather in her lashes, and she wiped quickly at her face. “Can we talk about this later? Maybe just the two of us?”

Softly smiling, he glanced at the counter, and all of the nurses scrambled to look busy. Melissa winked in his direction, and chuckling, he directed his attention back to her. “Can I pick you up after your shift is over?”

“I’d like that.” Lyla felt a rush of warmth at his words, a flicker of hope igniting within her. “I’ll just finish up here,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “Maybe we can go to that little café down the street?”

“Perfect choice,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and tenderness.

As she turned back to her tasks, her heart raced with anticipation. The thought of being alone with him, away from prying eyes, brought both excitement and dread. She knew they had a lot to discuss, but the idea of finally sharing her feelings felt like a step toward something new—something she had been yearning for her entire life.

The sun filtered through the café window, casting a warm glow over the small table where Lyla and Noah sat. The scent of fresh coffee and baked goods enveloped them, a comforting backdrop to the tension that lingered in the air. She stirred her oatmeal absently, stealing glances at Noah, who was intently studying the menu, a slight frown on his face.

“I can’t believe I’m actually here with you,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “I really appreciate you giving me another chance.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Noah. I didn’t expect it, but I’m glad we’re talking.”

He nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since… well, since that day. I didn’t handle things well, and I’m really sorry for how I treated you. I was a jerk.”

Looking into his eyes, she felt a flicker of something she thought she had buried. “I forgive you.”

His gaze held hers for a moment, and she could see the vulnerability in him. “I still want to make it right. I was hoping I could, I don’t know, take you to dinner?”

She raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. “Are you asking me out on a date, Noah?”

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as a slight blush crept into his cheeks. “Well, I mean, if you’d be willing to consider it… I’d really like to take you out.”

“I’d like that too.”

“Would you maybe want to come by the house tonight? I know Debra and Mark would love to see you.”

“Elias…”

“He’s fine, Lyla. He’s the one who suggested I come to see you at the hospital.”

“You told him what happened.”

Noah dug into his pancakes, avoiding her gaze. “I felt bad for what I did. I shouldn’t have pushed myself on you like that, especially when you were dating my brother.”

“Hey, look at me.” He lifted his gaze, and she smiled softly. “I meant it when I said I forgive you. Things were… complicated.” She dug into her food with a shrug. “I shouldn’t have allowed things to go as far as they did. I’m not a cheater.”

“I know you're not. I took advantage of you.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself.”

“I could say the same thing to you,” he chuckled. He sobered up as he studied her. “It didn’t matter that you were seeing him. I wanted you.”

Nervously, she lowered her fork and fidgeted with the handle.

“I still do.”

“Noah…”

“Come by the house. Don’t give me some excuse about why you can’t. Melissa told me you have the next two days off.”

“Traitor,” she mumbled.

“She wants what’s best for you.”

“And what is that, Noah?”

“I guess you’ll have to stick around and find out.”

Lyla crossed her arms, leaning back against her chair. “You’re really persistent, you know that?”

“Only when it comes to you.”