13 Chapter 13

When we were walking down the hallway and safely out of earshot, I said, "You were amazing. Did you see the way that she came alive when you spoke to her in her own language? I haven't see her this excited since she came here."

Lance's face fell and his expression suddenly turned serious. "How long has she been here?"

"For two months now." I looked down at the linoleum floor and sighed. "She's no longer responding to treatment."

Lance nodded. "I didn't think so," he said, and then he turned his attention to the hallway ahead of us as his eyebrows pulled together. "How much time does she have?"

I let out an exasperated breath. "I can't be sure. That's one thing that I don't like about being a doctor. I wish I could save all of my patients, especially ones like her, young with her whole life ahead of her," I said, as we walked toward the cafeteria. "Thank you for what you did for her."

Lance nodded. "I was happy to do it," he replied, forcing a smile, and then turned his attention toward the narrow hallway without really seeing it. "I'd like to come back to visit her, if that's appropriate?"

I nodded. "That would be nice." Then, I laughed, shaking my head. "I know she would love to see you again. She's a typical teenager." It was great to see that in her.

"I have a feeling that she doesn't know many people here in Las Vegas yet," he said as we neared the cafeteria.

"She hasn't left the hospital long since she came here to Las Vegas," I replied, coming to a stop.

"So, are you still hungry?" Lance asked, inclining his head toward the cafeteria as a lock of his hair fell lazily over his eyes.

Instinctively, I wanted to push the lock of hair away from his eyes, but I didn't dare. "Famished," I replied instead.

"Then, let me take you somewhere else instead," he said, shifting to stand in front of me, subtly bringing me to a stop.

I hesitated. "No, I don't think that's such a good idea. I really should be going home."

"I'll tell you what, I'll settle for a mediocre dinner now in the cafeteria, only if you'll agree to go out with me again for a superb dinner elsewhere sometime," he said, turning the full force of his green eyes on me.

"Lance, I'm married," I said, shifting my weight. I really couldn't say that I wasn't interested, though, but I pushed the thought aside.

"Then, let's have an innocent meal tonight, shall we?" he said, but it felt too familiar. When he started toward the cafeteria, I didn't follow.

"Lance, I really must go," I said, then added, "and thank you for what you did for Christina tonight."

"Crissy," he corrected as a smile pulled at the corner of his lips.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Crissy." I took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll have dinner with you as long as it's here in the cafeteria," I relented.

"Agreed," he said as a triumphant smile spread across his face.

"Come on," I said, walking past him into the cafeteria as he followed. "I'm starving."

"So am I."

An hour later, we finished our meal and I sat back, feeling the effects of the day. I had a great time talking with Lance. He was funny, charismatic, and sexy as hell. "Well, I really must go now."

"Then, let me walk you to your car," he said through his eyelashes as he rose from his seat.

"Lance, I'll be fine by myself "

"Nonsense!" he said then added with a smile, "Do I need to carry you?"

My thoughts suddenly went to the other night when he threw me over his shoulder and I laughed, shaking my head. "You're incorrigible."

"Yes, I am," he agreed, smiling as we walked out into the cool night air toward the parking lot to my car, and I was enjoying his company a little too much.

Outside, the only sound was a few leaves rustling across the parking lot as the moon shone blue above the security lamps overhead. There was a slight breeze in the air. "I'll be fine. I'm just parked right over there."

"Madame, I am offended," he said in his smooth British accent, holding a hand to his chest in mock horror as I suppressed a laugh. "Gentlemen do not leave ladies unaccompanied, vulnerable to the wiles of strange men. I'll walk you to your car."

I laughed aloud at his expression, incredulous. "If you insist."

"Indeed, I do," he said, smiling as he offered me his arm in a chivalrous manner, but I shook my head, opting to shove my hands in my coat pockets instead.

"That was wonderful, what you did for Crissy tonight," I said, looking down at my feet as we headed toward my car. Then, I stopped to look into his brilliant green eyes. "Thank you."

He grinned as a lock of his dark brown hair fell lazily over his forehead and, again, I wanted to reach out and smooth it back for him, but didn't dare. "The pleasure was mine," he said, then added, "She's an amazing girl."

I nodded. "Yes, she is." I took a deep breath and bit my lower lip. "I just hope that she makes it."

Lance nodded, suddenly lost in thought. He walked beside me with his hands shoved into his jacket pockets, but the cold didn't seem

to affect him at all. "She might surprise you. Her fight is not yet over."

I nodded, suddenly glad that I was with him. "How do you know Italian so fluently?"

He shrugged. "I lived in Italy for a while."

"Well, you're full of surprises, aren't you, Mr. Steel?" I asked as we neared my car. I extended my hand. "You know, I'm glad that I know you."

"Not as glad as I, dear lady," he said, but instead of shaking my hand, he pulled me into his arms and his lips descended upon mine, moving gently, carefully, as I melted into his arms. This time, I didn't resist. It was a sweet kiss, but filled with so much passion that it left me breathless. When he pulled back, he said, "Until we meet again."

Stunned, I watched as he walked away, quicker than I would have thought possible.