Free Uncovering Hope (Uncovering Love Book 3) by Kacey Shea Page A

my arm. I shiver.
    “Are you volunteering as tribute?” His voice low and deep, eyes watching mine.
    “I thought we agreed you were friend zoned.”
    He laughs a deep loud chuckle and I can’t help but smile.
    “Yes. Any time you want to move me to another zone I’m happy to oblige.” He flips that tongue stud at me and I wish for a short moment in time that things could be different. That I could be different. That I wasn’t a mom, or so damn responsible. Those thoughts quickly flood me with guilt and I look away. His gaze is too much, too intense a scrutiny for my thoughts.
    “Hey, I’m only kidding. I just like teasing you. You’re a good friend, Carly. But you know what friends do?” He moves back half a step and I relax, blowing out a breath before meeting his eyes again.
    “What’s that, Derek?”
    “Coffee.”
    “Coffee?”
    “Yeah, friends meet for coffee. So, do you have a break you can take? Or maybe one coming up that I can wait for?” He looks so sincere and I realize I do want to have coffee with him. Not the rock star. Just the man. The one who volunteers at the hospital where I work.
    “Okay. Give me a sec while I find someone to cover my patients.” His brows rise and disappear into his hair where it falls forward on his forehead. I’ve surprised him. I turn on my heel and hide my grin, and jog down the hall to catch Marilyn before she enters her patient’s room.
    “Hey, Marilyn. Mind covering my patients while I take fifteen?
    “You got it, honey. Take your phone and I’ll call if there’s any trouble.”
    “Thank you. I’ve already got it with me.”
    I walk back to the desk where Derek’s waiting, cell to ear as he rolls his eyes.
    “Look, if you can’t handle this it’s your problem. I’ve been truthful from the beginning.” He nods toward the elevators and we walk together. He rolls his eyes and points at the phone. Whoever he’s talking to has lots to say. I push the down button and glance back to study his face.
    He shakes his head and looks up at the ceiling. “I’m going to have to cut you off. I need to go. Look, don’t call me.” His eyes widen and he moves the phone from his ear. The shrill screams of a pissed and angry woman sound through the line and he gives me a sheepish grin. He mouths sorry as we step inside the car. I push the button for the main floor and he ends the call with his thumb and pockets the phone.
    “She didn’t sound like she was finished.” I smirk. Who was he talking to?
    “Yeah . . . Uh . . . let’s just say she doesn’t appreciate my inclination to rearrange my schedule at a moment’s notice.” He almost looks embarrassed.
    “Did you have plans? We can get coffee another time.”
    “No. I want to have coffee with you. My other activities aren’t a priority. It’s something I can do anytime.” He says activities the same way he says something sexual and filthy. My body responds—nipples erect, core tightened—and I’m glad for the baggy scrubs that hide my traitorous reaction.
    The doors open and we stride into the cafeteria. It’s late so only one lonely staff member mans the register. Derek and I fill our coffee cups side by side in silence. He adds a shit ton of creamer.
    “A little coffee with your cream? You sure you don’t just want a soda? Probably contains less sugar.”
    He smiles and his eyes crinkle at the edges. “What? I like sweet things.”
    I scoff. “I’m sure you do.” He just laughs.
    He insists on paying and we find a table near the window that looks out into the garden. The solar lights placed throughout coupled with the moonlight give the space a magical feel. A few lights even twinkle off the manmade pond when the branches of the mesquite tree shake.
    “So how long have you worked here?”
    I purse my lips and twist my Styrofoam cup on the faux wood table top. “Hmm . . . I think it’s been nine years now?” I do the math and giggle. “I always forget. I’ve spent so much of my life