Griffin stood staring at the only woman he’d ever really wanted but could never have. The woman he often thought about—still fantasized about...and compared others to—was standing mere feet away. As if he’d been polarized by a magnet, Griffin felt himself being drawn forward. She was a physically fit, olive-skinned beauty with high cheekbones, luxuriously long jet-black hair and a heart-shaped face bestowed on her by her parents—an Italian mother and African-American and Hispanic father.
* * *
“Felicia... Felicia Blake,” she heard a baritone voice call, her heart skipping several beats. Felicia bit her bottom lip and nodded slowly. Still not sure she wasn’t imagining that her long-lost love was coming toward her, Felicia looked to the two women standing next to her for confirmation. Their wide and flirtatious smiles were all the affirmation she needed.
First, Felicia was summoned to Atlanta to receive some mysterious bequest from her late best friend from medical school, and now she came face-to-face with her favorite lab partner and secret crush.
“Dr. Griffin Kaile,” Felicia said, pulling herself together. “It’s been a while... Six years.”
“Yes, it has, and you haven’t changed a bit. You look amazing,” he said, smiling.
Felicia looked down at her outfit and frowned. “Not really, but thanks. You look...professional.”
Griffin smirked. “Thanks.”
Professional. Really, Felicia? “How have you been?” she asked, breaking eye contact when she spied the gift from her sisters—red Valextra Avietta luggage—making its way down the carousel’s runway. Felicia reached for the large wheeled trolley.
“I got it,” Griffin said, placing his hand over hers.
Griffin’s touch sent a charge through her body that she’d only felt one other time before, delivered by the same man. Felicia quickly pulled her hand from his and took a step back. “I’m doing well.” Griffin picked up the large bag and placed it next to Felicia before reaching for his own leather suitcase.
“What a gentleman,” Felicia heard the two women say.
“Thanks,” Felicia said, smiling up at Griffin.
“Last I heard, you were working somewhere overseas,” Griffin said.
Felicia nodded. “I’ve spent the last year working in Asia.”
“Wow, I bet that was an adventure. Are you in town long? We should get together...catch up,” Griffin suggested, the corners of his mouth rising slowly.
“I...I’d really like that, but I’m only in town for the day. Unexpected and urgent business I have to tend to.”
“I can’t convince you to extend your trip?” Griffin asked, offering her a wide smile.
“You can convince me of anything,” the shorter of the two women offered, not bothering to hide her eavesdropping.
Felicia smirked at the unsolicited commentary. “I wish I could, but my family is sending the plane for me right after my meeting. If I’m not on it, there will be hell to pay. I haven’t seen them in a while.”
“I understand. Do you have a card?” Griffin asked, reaching into his pocket and pulling out one of his own. “Here is mine. It has my home number on it, too.”
“Sorry, I haven’t had much use for cards in the last year,” she said, accepting his.
“Well—”
“Excuse me, sir,” a tall man dressed in hospital scrubs interrupted. “The car is here.”
“Thanks, Doug. I’ll be right there,” Griffin replied before turning his attention back to Felicia. “When you get settled, give me a call. I’d really like to hear what you’ve been up to,” he reiterated.
“Sure.”
“It really was great seeing you again.” Griffin smiled, picked up his bag and headed toward the exit.
“‘Sure’? Could you be a bigger geek?” Felicia chastised herself.
“Nope,” the two women said, laughing as they left with their bags in hand.
Felicia’s shoulders dropped. Even after all these years and her many accomplishments, Griffin could still turn Felicia’s brain to mush and make her weak in the knees. Griffin was one of the few people Felicia had been closest to during her tenure at medical school. While Felicia had been the youngest in their group of friends, a twenty-year-old first-year student, he’d never treated her as though she was lesser in any way, and she would always be grateful for that.
Running into Griffin today of all days was such a real, serendipitous moment that Felicia couldn’t help but wonder if it might mean something. She extended the handle on her travel trolley and made her way toward the exit. Felicia spotted a driver holding a sign with her name on it. “Excuse me, I’m Dr. Felicia Blake.”
The driver removed his hat and offered up a quick nod. “I’m Jeff from Atlanta Limousine Express,” he said, introducing himself before reaching for her bag. “Follow me. We’re right outside.”
Jeff led Felicia through a set of double glass doors and she was immediately hit by the bright sunlight. She reached into her purse and removed another must-have gift from her sisters—a pair of Chanel sunglasses. “Do you know where we’re going?” Felicia asked, placing the glasses over her squinted eyes.
“Yes, ma’am. The downtown law offices of McCormick and Associates,” he recited.
Felicia stopped at the sight of the large black vehicle. “What in the world...”
“The person requesting the car asked for the Sprinter Limo Coach,” he explained.
Felicia’s forehead creased. “The what?”
“A limousine-style van. I was told you’d need privacy and room to change.” Jeff’s eyes scanned her attire.
“Farrah.” Felicia looked down at herself again. “I guess I should freshen up a bit.”
“Yes, ma’am. We’ll be there in about thirty minutes,” he explained, helping her into the van.
“Welcome back,” Mel greeted, entering the executive doctor’s lounge holding an electronic tablet, where he found Griffin standing in the kitchenette, staring down into his coffee cup, obviously lost in his thoughts.
I can’t believe she was standing right in front of me and I actually let her get away...again. But it’s not like I had much of a choice. Why couldn’t she give me one day? She’s not married. Maybe she’s seeing someone. Get a grip. Why are you tripping over someone you haven’t seen in years who’s still not interested?
“Hello...” Mel waved his hand in front of Griffin’s face.
“What’s up?” Griffin frowned at Mel.
“What’s up...what’s up with you?”
“Nothing. I assume those—” he gestured at the tablet with his coffee cup “—are the charts and test results you want me to review.”
“Yes, and please tell me that’s not the last cup of English breakfast tea you’re having.”
Griffin’s eyebrows came to attention. “When have you ever seen me drink tea?” Griffin replied, tossing the empty K-cup in the trash. “What happened to the old coffeepot?”
“It’s been retired.” Mel handed Griffin the tablet and went in search of the tea K-cups.
Griffin accepted the tablet, took