For Keeps

3. Scarlett

Those eyes. They are the greenest eyes I have ever seen. It's him. He was sitting in the lobby a few weeks ago. The way he looked at me was intense. I couldn't stop thinking about him...after, of course, I checked my face and made sure I wasn't rocking a penis drawing or something.

Now here he is; sitting in the lab, looking at me with that same intensity. I need to get a grip. I can't get involved with anyone. I mean, not that he's even interested. He is sitting with Paisley and she gets anyone she wants. Maybe he just thinks I'm weird. Or my lack of makeup today is scaring him.
Breathe. He is just a guy. Be professional... or less awkward.

"Hello." I say quietly. I clear my throat. "You must be Lucas. I'm Scarlett." I say while walking towards him and extend my hand. He takes it in his. It's so warm compared to mine that it's shocking.
"Hi Scarlett. It's nice to meet you." He says in an insanely sexy Southern accent and smiles this perfect boy next door smile. I can't help but smile back.
Paisley sighs. Obviously annoyed that all attention isn't focused in her. Then she chimes in.
"Hi Scarlett. So anyway Lucas. Like I was telling you; I was doing a keg stand in a skirt and..."
I take that as my cue to go put my stuff away.

As I'm walking into the break room Karianne walks out. She is by far my favorite person besides Brett. She never pestered me about myself, instead she was always telling me stories about growing up in Louisiana and being the only girl with three brothers. Her blue eyes are always so kind.
She smiles big at me.
"Hey girl! How was your weekend? It's been pretty slow this morning. Must be because it's so dang cold out. Did you meet Lucas? He's a looker ain't he. Paisley is following him around like a lost puppy but I don't think he is interested. Are you sick? Where's all your makeup?" I stare at her with my eyes wide.
"Did you just say all that in one breath? I'm impressed." I laugh. "My weekend was fine. I didn't feel like makeup today. It's freezing out. Yes I met Lucas. Paisley follows every guy around. How was your weekend? Did you have a nice date with you know who?"
Her eyes light up. Of course I know she did. They are my neighbors.
"Yes!" She whispers excitedly. 
"We went to dinner and then went star gazing!" She looks over both shoulders and squeals with excitement.
"Star gazing? Are you insane? It's freezing!"
"Exactly. We got all cuddled in the back of the pickup. He kept me warm." She blushes.
"Mmmmhmmm I bet he did." I say and wink at her.

Her and Brett have been seeing each other for about a year. They both had a thing for one another ever since Karianne started working here, but they were both with other people off and on and it never seemed to work. One day when they were both single Karianne got tired of waiting and she kissed him out of the blue and said, "Dammit. Stop making a girl wait!" and walked off. He stood there smiling like an idiot for about point five seconds and followed after her. They have been pretty inseparable ever since. He makes her happy, which makes me happy.

Brett is like the older brother I never had.
He is actually the first person I met in town. He was struggling with his wife leaving him and their young daughter, Hope. His wife discovered meth and became lost.
I guess he and I bonded over how broken we both were. Now days, things are much better. I spend a lot of time with Hope. She is the sweetest kid I've ever met.
Things haven't been the easiest for any of us, but Karianne, Brett, and Hope are my family.

As if he knew we were talking about him, he rounds the corner with his drawing tray and some blood work.
"Hey ladies. I feel the doctors offices are going to be insanely needy today." He smiles his crooked smile.
"That works. Especially if we are slow over here." I say and take a drink of my coffee. "How's Lucas at drawing so far?" I ask.
"He is pretty good. He needs to practice a little more on hands." Kare says and raises her eyebrows at me. I happen to be one of the only people to let the newbie's practice on them. Especially the hands.
I laugh. "What no volunteering, Kare?"
"Hell no. Not after Stacey. That bitch has no idea what she is doing. I don't know how she is still working here."
The last time Karianne volunteered her veins, Stacey hit bone and blew her vein. I honestly thought Karianne was going to throat punch her. Now she won't let anyone touch her except Brett or myself.
"Speaking of the Barbies... can we get Paisley out of here. She was only supposed to show Luke our area, and it's now 9:40."
"Yes. Go kick her back to the main lab." I tell her.

Karianne and I walk across the hall to the drawing part of the lab where Lucas and Paisley are. Poor Lucas is trying to find things to do while Paisley follows his every move. He looks miserable. I look at Karianne and roll my eyes while she shakes her head.
"Well Paisley, it's always an... adventure when you're here, but the main lab needs you back. Have a good day." Karianne says.
She glares at us and huffs. "I doubt they need me there. Besides, Lukey and I are getting to know each other better." She says, batting her long fake lashes at him.
"You should probably go check your eye. It seems like you have something irritating it. Besides Lucas has things to do here." I say.
"Lukey doesn't mind me calling him that. Do you, babe." She giggles.  Lucas looks insanely uncomfortable so I chirp in.
"Well considering he is a man and not a puppy or small child, I think you better stick to calling him Lucas. Or Luke if he prefers." I smile because he is smiling so big at me.
"Luke is fine." He says still looking at me.
"Scarlett, you need to get laid. You're kind of being a bitch lately." She says as she heads out the door.
"Seriously I would beat her ass. What a.... ugh." Karianne says and throws up her hands.
I laugh. "It's okay. She's just mad I won't let her stay her and flirt with Lukey pooh." I say and wink at him. Which is totally not like me.
He laughs. "Well I appreciate it. My ears are bleeding and there's only so many times you can hear stories about getting drunk at frat parties." We all laugh and Karianne spends about twenty minutes making fun of Paisley and Stacey.

There are only two blood draws in that amount of time so I send Brett and  Karianne to break.
"Okay Luke. How are you feeling with your draws? Anything I can help with?" I ask sitting in one of the draw chairs. He walks over and sits in the stool in front of me and I have to admire him. He has a strong jaw line, a perfect nose, white perfect teeth, the green eyes I can't stop thinking about, and some freckles scattered around his nose and under his eyes. His hair is light brown and cut short on the sides and is a little longer on top. I notice some tattoos on his arms. Some sort of quote pokes out under his scrubs. I try not to stare too much, but I'm pretty sure he is looking me over, too.
He clears his throat and answers me in his deep voice.
"I'm having a little trouble with hands. Maybe the butterflies."
"Okay." I say getting up. I go to the counter and grab two butterflies and then return to the chair.
"Here." I say handing them too him.
He looks confused.
"You can practice on my hands." I say.
"I don't want to hurt you." He says in almost a whisper. For some reason, that makes my heart skip a beat. I try to brush it off and laugh.
"Luke. You won't hurt me. I like to think I'm pretty tough." I say with a reassuring smile.
"If you're sure..." He says slowly.
"Yes. Come on. Don't wimp out on me." I nudge his arm.
"Okay." He says and he reaches over to get everything else. For the first time in a long time, I feel my stomach fill with butterflies. I'm not sure why he has this affect on me, but it scares me. Part of me is scared  because I'm afraid of being with anybody. The other part is scared because I am starting to feel like I might actually want to fall for him.