Eternally Yours

24. Guards Down

"Thank... you for yesterday, the ID. I'm sorry for the trouble if it caused you any trouble"

A day had gone by and Hana was finally able to give him the appreciation he deserved. Not because of her reservation but she just couldn't find the right time and/or place.

"It's no trouble at all. Just be more careful where you leave it next time."

"Yes, Doctor Jenkins." Hana hid something behind her hands, which didn't go unnoticed by the man before her.

"What is it that you are trying to hide, Nurse Shizumi?" A hint of amusement laced in.

Hana stuttered. She realized that she had been caught and there was no point in lying. She brought forward the coffee box and stretched it towards him, avoiding his eyes.

He looked at it for a few seconds in confusion before grabbing the box, his fingers accidentally touched Hana's gloved hands. He noticed the slight shiver in her hand, her hands quickly backing away.

"Why are you giving me this?" He tried to keep his voice professional.

"As thank...you"

"For returning your ID? That hardly warrants giving me coffee" A hint of a smile threatened to show on his face at her sweetness.

"I thought it was gone for a moment." She finally looked up at him, meeting his eyes, "Thank you for finding it, Dr. Jenkins". She realized that she had been staring and quickly looked away.

"There's no need to give me coffee for that, Miss Shizumi." He tries to keep his voice stern but the way she looks at him melts his heart. As she picked at her necklace, he noticed her slender fingers and how they contrast with the rest of her lithe self. He forced himself to look away so as not to stare at her hands.

He let out a quiet sigh, this was unlike him.

Ren offered a small smile in her direction after taking a sip, "Not bad, the coffee"

His jaw clenched slightly as he suddenly remembered the canceled dinner. He'd completely forgotten about it until now. "How could I have forgotten?" he mutters under his breath.

"What?"

He shook his head slightly. "Nothing".

"Actually, I said maybe I wanted you to make it up to me, would you?"

He noticed how her fingers were still at his tone, but she continued to look at him.

"Yes. I would love to make it up to you."

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. "Well, since you insist, there is one thing you can do for me."

He continued, trying to sound casual, "Since we missed the dinner last time because of my unexpected surgery, I think it would be fair if you made it up by taking me out for dinner tonight."

He couldn't help but be a little smug about making her speechless.

Hana found her brain chugging as she tried to understand. He was the one who cancelled last time but she was the one who was taking him out to dinner. Confused, she blurted out under her breath, "Dinner?"

He chuckled slightly at her reaction, "Yes, dinner." He leaned in slightly, teasing "It's not that difficult to understand, is it?"

Ren was careful not to touch her physically, but he couldn't help but want to rile her up.

"What's the problem?"

At that distance, Ren was able to see the light freckles littered across her nose and cheeks that he saw the last time he took her home drunk.