Her boulder of a backpack swings dangerously as she heaves it onto her shoulders.

“Holly, slow down.”

“I can’t! This was great, Ben, but I’ve gotta go!” She’s almost to the door.

I’m not ready to see her leave, selfish as I am.

“Holly, wait!” I don’t think she’s going to listen. “Holly! Take my car!”

Out of sight, I hear her sneakers squeak to a halt on the hardwood floor, and then she’s back in the room.

“Take your car?”

“Yeah. You’ll never get there on time with the bus. Use my car.”

“Are you sure? How will you get back to your place?”

“I’ll call Jasper. I’m serious, Holly. Take my car.” I fish the keys out of my pocket and dangle them off my finger, as if to tempt her with their jingling.

“Okay, okay. You’re a lifesaver.” She grabs the keys, but instead of immediately turning to sprint out the door, she leans in and presses her warm lips against my cheek. The caress is over too soon as she backs up with a wave. “I owe you!”

Then, she’s gone.

I’m left in my chair, the phantom of her kiss haunting me.

How did something so simple make my skin so hot?

And how can I get her to do it again?

3

HOLLY

“See? I told you the coffee was decent.” Roderick holds his Styrofoam cup up and grins at me.

“I’ve had worse.” That’s honestly the best compliment I can give it. Not that I had high expectations. It is hospital coffee after all.

What I’m really surprised by is my agreement to meet Roderick here. A hospital cafeteria is not our usual spot. Normally, it’s his apartment. Specifically, his bedroom.

Roderick works as a resident doctor, and I met him during one of my visits a while back. He’s handsome and nice. He also understands the concept of a no-strings-attached relationship, which is exactly what I want.

Or what I wanted.

Honestly, right now, I’m just searching for a way to get a certain person out of the part of my brain where I keep my spank bank. Ben Gerhard should not be spending time next to Sam Claflin, James McAvoy, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Roderick should be there instead. So, when he suggested a coffee get-together during his break, I agreed. I thought normal interaction with the guy I’d been sleeping with might kick my brain back into gear.

No such luck.

“This is nice. Seeing you with your clothes on.”

He gives me a winning smile, but my responding chuckle comes out forced. I didn’t have to force a laugh with Ben.

Stop it. He’s off-limits. No flirty fraternization allowed.

If I’m hoping to get romantic with someone, Roderick is right in front of me, and he’s a willing participant. Time to actually put some effort into this.

“So, how’s life?”

Wow. What a stimulating question. I should be a moderator at a political debate.

Roderick doesn’t seem to mind. “Busy. But that’s the life of a doctor. Still have a good portion of my residency left, but they all love me here.”