A Million Tears (Wish 2)

10 - Mugshot

Brenna liked Noah even more after their picnic. Her desire to help him had only grown stronger. She learned his father had passed and Noah was struggling. He was an intelligent caregiver, so he should seek help for his grief.

She felt the burning behind her eyes, the precursor to tears. Mia was the Reilly who cried not her. She had a strong urge to wrap her arms around him. He would probably be the one running if she had.

They met for dinner the following weekend before his shift. It was a casual Indian restaurant. Once they ordered at the counter, they found a booth.

"Next weekend is Memorial Day." It excited her summer was starting.

"Already?" Laughing she bumped his shoulder. "I was serious. I don't pay attention to holidays."

"Don't you ever take a weekend off, so you can get away?"

"Why? I like working."

"To get away with friends. Change of scenery. All that."

"I like the city."

"You're no fun. You should come to Onset some time. It would be good for you. It's always crazy at the Reilly's."

"I don't want to know." He had a slight smile.

"There's often too many people in the small house. I love the hammock, but we also play games. We love games! Cards are serious in my family. Probably because we all count the cards."

"Isn't that cheating?"

"Not if you're just naturally attuned to numbers. Even Aunt Rachel is a math professor at NYU. My mother is the sharpest, she's the one who gave us the math genes. She does the craziest sudoku, as if they're easy."

"Well, too bad, I'm always working."

It sounded like another excuse. "My little sister would love it if you came, I think she has a crush on you."

"How would she?"

"She saw your mugshot."

"I'm pretty sure I've never been arrested."

Brenna laughed and explained through giggles. "That's what we called the picture on my father's badge."

"I've seen some that look like mugshots." His face brightened when he laughed.

Her goal was to get Noah to Onset if only for a day. The man needed to relax. As a doctor, he should know all that stress would kill him.

She reached up and started picking at his hair.

"What are you doing?" He sounded annoyed.

"Looking for gray hair. The man who refuses to take a day for fun must be sprouting them right and left. Soon you'll look like a tired old man."

"I'm not old and I don't have gray hair!"

"Are you sure?" She pretended to look more, but she just caressed his scalp.

He groaned. "Will you stop?"

Brenna saw a faint hint of pink on his neck. She'd bet her year-end bonus, he had enjoyed her touch more than he admitted.

She put her hands back in front of her and changed the subject. "So how do you really feel about your mother and Bill?"

"Seriously? First you tell me I'm no fun and then you ask how I feel about my mother's new boyfriend! Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No, I'm trying to get to know you. Ask me anything and I'll answer."

"What's your favorite thing about your job?"