Deserve by C.C. Snow Read Free Book Online

me and I do a little dance in
place. My stomach gives a faint rumble and I peer at Sean to see if he heard
the embarrassing sound.
    “You know, one look at you and everyone will know you’re not
from New York.”
    I blink up at him and then look down at myself in
bewilderment. I dressed for comfort for the plane ride in a t-shirt, jersey
skirt and leather sandals, but I don’t think I look outlandish. “How can they
tell?”
    “Because you’re the only one in line who doesn’t look
annoyed to have to wait,” he says with a smile and then jerks his chin at the
rest of the customers.
    A glance at the scowling men and women ahead of us, sighing
and glancing at their watches impatiently, confirms his theory. I shrug my
shoulders and smile wryly. “Life’s too short to be a grump.” I’m too happy to
let something inconsequential kill my good mood. I’m in New York City and I’m
starting medical school. My smile grows bigger.
    “How is it you’re related to Cael ?”
Sean asks in a wondering tone.
    “He is a bit of a grouch, isn’t he?”
    “He’s Oscar. All that’s missing is the garbage can.”
    I laugh, picturing my brother’s face on the Sesame Street
character. “He’s not that bad, but he needs to lighten up if he’s going to get
someone to date him for longer than a few months.”
    “Another one bites the dust?”
    “Not yet, but it’s a close call.” I frown and consider his
deteriorating relationship with Rachel. A few days after their fight, they made
up, but I could tell things were precarious. Hopefully, my absence will ease
the tension between them.
    “What about you? Leave any broken hearts behind in Chicago?”
Sean asks with a teasing grin.
    I curse my fair skin as I feel the blood climb my cheeks.
“No.” I’ve only had one serious boyfriend, but we broke up last year when he
graduated. Asher was moving to the West Coast and I realized I didn’t love him
enough to move out there with him and he didn’t love me enough to stay on the
East Coast.
    “That’s probably for the best.” My heart soars and then
plummets when he adds, “Since you’ll want to find a doctor boyfriend.”
    Shoving aside my disappointment, I lean toward him and
whisper loudly, “I hear they make terrible boyfriends. They always have their
eyes on the nurses.”
    “If someone ever hurts you, I’ll beat the shit out of them.”
    Taken aback by his serious tone, I say hurriedly, “I was
just kidding.”
    He smiles evilly and cracks his knuckles. “I wasn’t.”
    “Ugh…you’re just like Cael .”
    “That’s not true. When I punch someone, I do it with a smile
instead of a scowl.” He shows a mouthful of perfect teeth.
    I try to look disapproving, but a giggle escapes.
    We finally get to the front of the line and order our food.
    “Extra red sauce, please,” I request and the man shoots me a
conspiratorial grin. He squirts an extra large dollop onto my chicken and wraps
up my plate. He’s fast and efficient and we have our food in our hands in what
feels like seconds.
    “Where do you want to eat this? We can drive to the park—”
    Without thinking about it, I grab Sean’s hand and a current
runs up my arm. “I saw some benches back there.” Self-consciously, I drop his
hand and start walking to the small outdoor area I saw earlier.
    It’s already two p.m. and there are plenty of free spaces.
We find a shady spot and set our take-out trays on the stone table.
    “My mouth is already watering from the smell.” I open my box
and take a deep inhale.
    “I see you still love spicy foods,” he remarks on the red
liquid smothering my chicken.
    “Yup!” I lift a forkful to my mouth and savor the blast of
burning heat. I flap my hand over my mouth as it forms an o.
    Sean laughs and hands me a bottle of water. “A little too
much for you?”
    “Hell no! It’s just right. Spicy enough to be painful.”
Despite my breezy words, I take a big gulp of water. The first bite is always a
shock to