12 Chapter 12

"I'm taking a break," I told Rosa after the family left.

"Why don't you go home?" Rosa asked, knowing how hard I had worked to try to save him and she had worked just as hard by my side. We made a good team.

"No, not yet," I said, dead on my feet. "I just need a break and maybe some coffee."

"And some food," Rosa added, picking up a chart. "Eat something."

"Yes, Ma'am," I teased, walking away as she scowled.

I walked into the waiting room before walking to the cafeteria to see how many more patients that we had and my breath caught. Lance was sitting on a chair, casually reading a magazine. For a moment, I almost walked the other way, but something inside me pulled me to him. My heart beat erratically within my chest as I approached, noticing how handsome he was. The air of confidence about him almost reminded me of a medieval knight, but I quickly brushed the thought aside. As I walked closer, trying to maintain my composure, his gray jacket was open, revealing the tight, bulging muscles evident beneath the thin linen fabric of his white shirt.

"Lance? Why are you still here?" I asked, trying to maintain my composure.

When he raised his green eyes to mine, my heart stopped, knowing that I would never get used to how gorgeous he was. His mouth curled into a half smile as he replied in his fluid British accent, "Yes well " Then he looked down the hallway. "I just finished my business with Drake. It was a long day."

"Oh, I see," I replied, grinning while nodding slightly. "Well, I'll see you later, then," I turned to walk away.

"Actually," Lance replied, trying to catch my attention. "I noticed that you haven't eaten dinner yet or lunch for that matter." I waited, surprised that he had noticed. It seemed that he was just as aware of me as I am of him. "I was wondering if you might have a bite with me?"

"Lance, are you stalking me?" I said, shaking my head, but my resolve was weakening. "I asked you to stay away "

"Leila, the thought of never seeing you again is unacceptable to me," he replied, rising to his feet.

"So, you're stalking me," I said, smiling without humor as I shook my head, but the thought of never seeing him again was unacceptable to me, as well. "I really should be getting home. Besides, we just had dinner together last night," I said as I turned to leave.

"In the cafeteria here in the hospital," he quickly added, rising to his full height, probably about six feet, three inches. He reached for my hand as his full lips curled into a smile. "How much harm could it be? We'll be here in the hospital, after all." He smiled. "I enjoyed having dinner with you last night. Come on, I've been working all day and I don't want to eat alone."

"Lance "

"We'll be right here in the cafeteria," he coaxed.

I took a deep breath. "I have a patient to visit first, and then I'll meet you there." I started to walk away, but he caught my arm.

"May I come with you?"

Sure, you can come with me, I thought, laughing as I brushed my obscene thoughts aside. "Are you sure you'd like to go? You can stay out in the hallway, if you like."

"As long as I'm with you," he returned, trying to take my hand, but I pulled away.

I nodded. "Well, I can use the company, anyway."

"Wow. Don't sound so excited," he said, deadpan.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Please, lead the way," Lance said as his lips curled into a smile, already placing a gentle hand on the small of my back as we walked away.

***

A few minutes later, I knocked on Christina's door, and then entered. She was lying on the hospital bed watching an episode of Reign. Her skin was pale and it was obvious that she had a rough day. Lance stood in the doorway and let me walk in first.

Christina looked up and smiled. "Ciao, Dr. Reynolds. Come stai oggi?"

I nodded, knowing just enough Italian to answer her basically. She asked me how I was. "Bene, grazie. Come stai?" I answered that I was fine and then asked her how she was.

At first, Lance stood by the door, but came in when he heard Christina speak, clearly intrigued. "She's Italian?"

I nodded. "Yes, and I'm afraid that I'm a bit rusty. I only had two semesters of it in college."

"May I?" he asked, already stepping up beside her bed.

"By all means," I answered as my eyebrows shot up, gesturing for him to try. "I wish I could communicate with her better."

Lance looked down at her with a kind smile. "Ti piace questo show televisivo?"

"Sì, è meraviglioso! Io amo i cavalieri e le dame, vestite in modo elegante," she replied as a broad smile spread across her face.

I couldn't help but laugh. "What did you ask her?"

"I asked her if she liked the show," Lance said, gesturing toward the television. Then, he lowered his voice conspiratorially. "She said that she likes the way that the knights and ladies are dressed very elegant."

I stood back and listened, surprised by their exchange. "Her name is Christina."

Lance nodded then turned his attention back to her.

"Ti piace?" Christina asked as a broad smile spread across her face. She was only eighteen too young to be dealing with this disease.

"Sì, mi ricorda casa," Lance replied.

"What did she ask?" I took a step closer, amazed as I watched their exchange.

Lance smiled. "She asked if I liked the show."

"And what did you say?" It felt odd, having to ask him for the translation, but I was thrilled that I finally had a way to communicate with her.

A corner of his lips curled into a smile as he nodded. "I told her that it reminded me of home." He thought for a moment then asked, "Is there anything that you would like for me to ask her for you?"

I nodded, then asked him to ask her questions pertaining to her treatment and how she was feeling, scribbling notes on her chart. Usually, her mother or father was with her, but it was late and past visiting hours. When I had the information I needed, I asked her a few more questions as Lance translated.

"Grazie, Christina," I said after we were finished, smiling as I turned to leave.

She took my hand to stop me. "Per favore, chiamami Crissy."

"She wants you to call her Crissy," Lance translated as he smiled at her conspiratorially.

I nodded to her with a smile. "Arrivederci, Crissy," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

Having a tight grip on my hand, she pulled me down close and stage whispered, "L'uomo, egli è attraente!"

I knew enough Italian to know that she thought Lance was attractive. I looked over and Lance was standing by the door, suppressing a laugh, pretending that he hadn't heard. I laughed as I shook my head. I bent down to give her air kisses over both cheeks, as they do in Italy. "Arrivederci," I repeated.

"Arrivederci," she returned, then looked over my shoulder and waved at Lance as we left the room.

Lance waved goodbye to Crissy and replied, "Fino a quando ci incontriamo di nuovo."

"What did you just say to her?" I asked as he walked into the hallway.

"Until we meet again," he replied.