I took out my phone and showed her his text.

“Oh my fucking God,” she groaned, reading the screen. “He’s hot and sweet? I can’t even right now.”

I stuck the plate under my arm. “I’ll catch up. I need to send him a message.”

“Thank him for me, please.”

I moved to the far wall, out of the way of those trying to get to the buffet, and I began to type.

Me: I’m blown away by your generosity. You’ve made us the happiest unit in the hospital, and we appreciate you so much. I don’t know how to thank you for this, but … thank you, thank you, thank you.

Caleb: You can say yes to a date. That would be more than sufficient.

Me: I’d say you’ve certainly earned yourself one.

My phone rang a few seconds after sending the text, Caleb’s name appearing on the screen. I chuckled as I heard Emily’s voice in my head, telling me he would never call, and said, “Hi,” as I brought it up to my ear.

“I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I just want to make sure you’re all right.”

“I’m really tired, sore, probably a little manic at this point.” As I watched Rebecca shove a cookie into her mouth, holding one up to see if I wanted it, I tried to think of how many hours I’d been at the hospital. I couldn’t come up with that answer, but I nodded at my friend and held out my hand. “And I’m starving.”

“That exhausted, raspy voice sounds incredibly sexy on you.”

A burst of tingles shot down my body.

Even in this state, his words had an extreme effect on me.

Rebecca placed a chocolate chip one on my palm, and I took a bite. “Yum,” I said, chewing. “Caleb, this cookie is amazing, and so are you for sending all this stuff.”

“I hope it’s enough to feed the staff. If not, I’ll send more.”

Nurses I knew from other units were coming in, telling me word had gotten out.

“You’re feeding more than just our floor, and we’re not even close to running out. Thanks again, times a million.”

“You guys are healing our city. I’m happy to do it.” He sighed, his tone changing. “It could have been us out there.”

Every time a patient had come in by ambulance, the same thought had entered my mind. “I know.”

“Listen, we’re safe; that’s what matters. Try to get some rest, if that’s possible, and eat up.”

I finished the rest of the cookie. “You’re a good guy, Caleb.”

“And how do you know that?”

“I trust my gut; it never steers me wrong.”

He was silent for a few moments and then, “I’ll talk to you soon, Whitney.”

“Bye.”