Wishing for the Girl Next Door (Piney Brook Wishes Book 3)

5. Karlee

I know Terran didn’t mean to press all the wrong buttons, but somehow she found not only my sore spot, but Evan’s too. I turn toward the bar and spot Heath chatting with some guys while he’s waiting his turn.

“I guess I should have expected to see you here,” I say to Evan. “I’ve been told it’s the spot to be on the weekend.”

He nods. “Yep, Beats and Eats has a live band sometimes, but everyone funnels over here after they finish around nine.” He looks around and shifts in his seat.

“Not a big drinker?”

He looks down at his mostly full glass. “Not really.” He frowns. “I don’t come here often, but Heath needed a night on the town.” He turns his head and nods in Heath’s direction. “I’m the designated driver.”

“Responsible. A good friend, you are,” I say in my best Yoda accent.

Evan laughs, the first genuine laugh I’ve heard from him tonight. “Wow, quoting the wise green one, you are.”

I giggle. “Don’t you love those movies? My sister Keeley and I spent a lot of time with our next-door neighbors when we were growing up. They had boys, so we spent a lot of time battling the dark side after school.”

“I never saw the appeal,” Marla says, capturing my attention.

“No?” I ask. “Why not?”

“Too far-fetched for me. And why did they release the last three movies first? It’s confusing.” She shrugs and waves her hand in my general direction. “Dark side, light side... people have both, right?”

“I mean... I guess, yeah.”

“You didn’t like anything about the movies?” Nick asks.

She tilts her head to the side and pauses. After a moment, she giggles. “I guess I liked the little teddy bears and that goofy alien sea dog thing.”

I smack my hand to my forehead.

“She did not just say that.” Evan groans from beside me.

“Well, I don’t remember their names,” Marla says and laughs. “You guys are too funny.” She points to Mona and Terran. “Back me up. Aren’t those movies boring?”

The women shrug and burst out in giggles. “Come on,” Mona says. “Let’s dance.”

I shake my head no, an excuse already on my lips, when Evan takes my hand in his.

“Dance with me?” He looks so sincere, I can’t say no. Besides, If I’m dancing with my friend Evan, other guys will leave me alone. The way his eyes turned cold at the mention of Louise tells me he isn’t looking for a relationship either.

He may give me goosebumps, and be the most handsome and considerate man I’ve met, but he’s firmly in the friend zone. Safe.

“Fine,” I say, letting him gently pull me to the dance floor. “But if you step on my toes, I’m showering your apartment in catnip the next time I’m over.”

Evan laughs and leans closer to my ear. “You’re welcome over anytime, Karlee. You’re fun to be around, and you make me laugh.”

I suck in a breath and tell my stupid heart to slow down. Friends should be able to make each other laugh. He isn’t flirting. He’s being friendly.

We dance the next few songs. Never getting too close, but always close enough to ward off any unwanted attention. Evan keeps looking around and keeping tabs on Heath who seems to know everyone in the bar tonight.

“You okay?” I ask when he stutter-steps and misses my toes by an inch.

“I think it’s time for me to get Heath out of here.” He smiles down at me. “I’ve had a great time tonight.”

I smile back and tuck a piece of loose hair behind my ear. “Me too. Thanks for keeping the vultures away.” I tip my head in the direction the girls are dancing. Guys are swarming them, except for Terran who has been dancing with Nick all night. The men in here are like mosquitoes ready to swoop in and bite. “I think I’ll head home myself.”

“Do you need a ride home?”

“No, I was only drinking cranberry juice tonight.” I smile. “Not a drinker either.”

Evan laughs and points to the table. “Why don’t you tell them you’re leaving so they don’t worry, then grab your stuff and I’ll walk you out.”

I nod and turn to get someone’s attention. Marla is closest, so I lean in and let her know I’ll see her at work this week. She nods and goes right back to dancing.

When I get back to the table, Evan and Heath are in a heated discussion. They both look annoyed, and I debate standing back until they work it out. Heath glances in my direction and his shoulders fall. He waves me over.

“Sorry,” he says sullenly. “It’s been a while since I let loose.”

I shrug and lean into the booth to get my sweater. I locked my purse in my trunk and popped the keys, my ID, and some cash into my pocket. “You don’t have to apologize to me.”

He grimaces. “I’m going to feel like crap tomorrow.”

“How much did you drink?” Evan asks.

I’d say he’s overreacting, but maybe he knows something I don’t. Heath definitely seems like he is a bit more than tipsy, but he isn’t fall-down drunk like that girl I saw being helped out by her boyfriend when Evan and Heath got here.

“I’m fine,” Heath says. “I’m not her, Evan. I’m of age, and you are driving.”

Evan blows out a long breath. “You’re right,” he says. “Sorry.”

“I get it, man. You need to let that go. Not everyone is going to get drunk and run off the road. Give me some credit.” Heath pats Evan’s arm and then walks toward the exit.

“Everything okay?” I ask hesitantly.

“It will be.” Evan sighs. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.” He gives Heath a pointed look, and motions for him to follow us out.

Evan keeps his hand at the small of my back as he walks me toward the door. It feels nice. I don’t remember a time Patrick ever made me feel protected when we were out.

The warm night air wraps me in an envelope of damp heat when we walk outside. “I can’t believe how humid it is tonight.”

Evan tips his nose up and sniffs. “Rain is coming. That should help cool it down some.”

I giggle. “Did you really just sniff the air to see if it was going to rain?”

He nods, a serious look on his face. “How else would you know if it was going to rain?”

I pull my phone out of my back pocket and wave it around. “It’s called a weather app.”

He shakes his head. “Unreliable.”

I shake my head and chuckle. “As opposed to your sniff method?”

He pins me with a stare. “I’ll have you know I have a very sensitive nose. It can tell me things.” He taps his face just to the side of his left nostril.

“Uh, okay. You have a psychic nose.” I raise an eyebrow and take a step back. “Maybe I should have taken my chances with the vampire mosquitos inside.”

He laughs. “No, seriously. Pay attention. You’ll learn when it smells like rain, too.”

I feel my eyes go wide and my forehead crease as I nod my head. “Okay, whatever you say.” I wink to let him know I’m not really freaked out. It is strange though. Who claims they can smell the rain?

I open the door to my SUV and slide inside. “Thanks for walking me out. I’ll see you.”

He smiles and nods, before walking to his truck where Heath’s leaned against the side. Heath laughs and Evan glances back in my direction just as I’m putting the car in reverse. He gives a little wave, and I wave back before pulling out of the space and heading home.

Sunday afternoon, I make myself some tea, and settle in to call my family. Dialing my sister first, I wait while it rings through.

“Karlee!” Keeley yells. “I’ve been waiting for you to call today!”

“Hi, Keels,” I say, laughing at her excitement. “You seem awfully excited.”

She giggles, and I smile. She’s always been the more bubbly sister.

“I have some news,” she says. “I’m engaged!” She squeals, and I have to pull the phone from my ear.

For a moment, a pang of jealousy hits low in my gut, but I shake it off. “I’m so happy for you, Keels! Tell me all about it.”

I listen as Keeley details the way Scott proposed. Her excitement is contagious.

“That’s so wonderful,” I say as she wraps up the proposal story. “Have you guys talked about setting a date? Are you thinking next summer?”

She hesitates.

“Keels, have you picked a date?” I repeat.

“Yeah, this August.”

“Wow,” I say, surprised they are doing it so soon. “That’s less than two months away.”

“I know, but we already know we want to keep it low key. We want to be married and get an apartment off campus together this year before Scott starts his Master’s program.”

“I’m sure it will all come together. I’m so happy for you,” I say again.

“Thanks, Karlee. I know it’s short notice, but I really want you to be there,” Keeley pleads.

“I don’t think I can swing being there long enough to be a part of the wedding party, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I reassure her.

“Thanks. I couldn’t get married without you there.”

I smile and hold the phone closer to my ear. We speak for a few more minutes, then I promise to call her again soon.

I take a deep breath and prepare for the onslaught of wedding-planning excitement I’m sure will greet me when I call Mom.

Before I even hear it ring, she answers. “Did you hear?”

“I did,” I say, laughing. “Hi, Mom.”

“Oh, Karlee, I have so much to do!” She takes a breath and laughs. “It’s a good thing Scott and Keeley want something simple. Have you considered who you’ll be bringing to the wedding?”

“Bringing?” I ask. I hadn’t even considered a plus-one.

“Why don’t you invite the nice guy you’re always talking about?” Mom says slyly.

“Mom, he’s just a friend.” I roll my eyes. Not that she can see.

“Well, it’s a thought,” she says. “Besides, having a friend with you might be nice. Especially since you know how our family can be.”

Ugh, she’s right. I can see it now, everyone feeling sorry for me on what’s supposed to be Keeley’s special day. “I’ll think about it.”

Finally, I get off the phone, after promising to consider asking Evan to be my plus-one. The calls took up more of my day than I’d planned. I barely have time to shower before heading to work.

“Hey, girl,” Marla says when I walk behind the nurse’s station. “Looks like you managed to catch yourself a fine fish the other night.” She winks at me and fans her face.

“He’s my neighbor, and he walked me to my car. That’s it,” I say, feeling the heat bloom on my chest. For once, I’m thankful this hospital prefers scrubs without a V-neck.

“What is it?” Mona asks, sliding behind the counter of the nurses’ station. “Don’t keep me in the dark!”

“She claims there’s nothing between her and the hottie neighbor she was dancing with Friday night.” Marla points at me. “Chemistry. So much chemistry. If you don’t want to explore that, I will.”

Mona cackles. “I’ll give it a go. He was always the hottest guy in school, and he only had eyes for Louise. Though, now that I think about it, I’m not sure he ever looked at her the way he was looking at you.” She puts her finger to her cheek and tilts her head. “Hey, Terran,” she calls.

“Yeah,” Terran says, stepping out of the linen closet holding a pillow and blanket.

“Do you remember Evan in high school?”

“Duh,” she says, laughing. “Hottest guy in the senior class.”

Marla looks at me with an I told you so grin. “And would you say he only had eyes for Louise?”

Terran leans her hip on the outside of the nurse’s station wall. “Oh, yeah. He was smitten. Even though that girl didn’t deserve it.” She shakes her head. “What a mess.”

Marla nods her head in agreement. “I know, but did you catch how he was checking out our newest nurse?”

Mona’s eyes about pop out of her face. “Oh my gosh, now that you mention it...” She looks at me and narrows her eyes. “Are you two together?”

I laugh and put my hands up in a defensive gesture. “Nope. Just friendly neighbors.” I back away slowly and put my purse on the shelf below the countertop. “Now, is someone going to give me a report?”

Thankfully, the rest of my shift goes smoothly. No one mentions Louise, Evan, or his eyes again. Just before the close of shift, we got a new patient sent up from the ER. As I was doing the admittance paperwork and getting the patient settled in their room, I noticed the admitting physician from the ER was Dr. Sullivan. I still hadn’t met the elusive doctor that had everyone whispering. Apparently, he was the best thing since sliced bread and handsome enough to be an underwear model. How anyone would know that from scrubs and a physician’s coat, I have no idea.

The patient was being admitted for a kidney stone. Poor guy. Kidney stones are brutal. Thankfully, the medicine they gave him in the ER seems to be working. “Get some rest, Mr. Trenton. I’ll come check on you in a while. Just press the call button if you need anything.”

Mr. Trenton has been dozing on and off since he got into his room. “Thanks,” he whispered, nodding off. I flip the light switch off and gently pulled his door closed behind me. I like that Piney Brook General only doubles patients if they have to. Most of the time, being a small-town hospital, people get their own room. If I were a patient, I’d appreciate the privacy.

By 6:55 a.m. I’m watching the clock. As soon as I give my report, I’m out of here. My charting is done, and I am exhausted.

Terran walks into the nurse’s station and hands me a large hot coffee. “From the Coffee Loft next door.” She sets her coffee on the counter and tucks her purse away. “How was your shift?”

I yawn and pull my arms above my head in a stretch. “Good. Mostly uneventful. We had one new admittance. Mr. Trenton in room four. Kidney stones. He was asleep when I checked on him about thirty minutes ago. It will be time for his meds soon, and I’m sure he will be asking.”

She shudders. “Kidney stones are the worst.”

I finish giving her the rundown between sips of the coffee she brought me. “Thanks for this,” I say, holding up the cup. “It’s delicious.”

“You’re welcome. I didn’t know what you liked, so I just got it with cream and sugar. You should pop in there. They have donuts and gourmet coffee flavors. It’s a franchise, but they offer local favorites on the menu.” She grins. “I probably spend too much money there, but it’s good.”

I laugh. “I get it. A good cup of coffee is hard to find in a hospital.” I gather my purse and water bottle. “Hey, do you happen to know a good hairdresser? I haven’t had my hair done in a long time. I’m way overdue.” Especially with Keeley’s wedding coming up.

Terran looks up from the computer where she is checking med schedules. “Oh, that’s easy. Anne Masters down at Cozy Cuts More. She’s literally the best. Her aunt owns the salon, but she’s pretty much retired, so Anne runs it now.”

“Great, thanks,” I say, adjusting my messy bun. “I’ll give her a call.”

As I walk to my car, I can’t stop smiling. It’s about time I did something for myself.