Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(14)

“Grandma doesn’t eat much,” Ava added. “After work she goes to the tavern to unwind with her friends.”

“Oh.” Libby wasn’t sure what to say. This bit of information spoke volumes, and she had a sneaking suspicion that Ava’s home life wasn’t all that wonderful. “Where’s your father?”

Ava shrugged. “Don’t know. I haven’t seen him since I was a kid.”

But she was still a kid.

The hospital sat at the crest of a hill in a district known as Pill Hill, just north of downtown Seattle. The last couple of blocks were a steep climb. Either Libby was in better shape than she realized or the hats were heavier than they looked because Ava seemed to have a difficult time keeping up with her and Casey.

Seattle General’s front entrance came into view. “Do you know Sharon Jennings?” Libby asked.

Casey nodded. “I went with Mom once when she dropped off the hats. I didn’t talk to Sharon, but I know what she looks like.”

“We’ll find her,” Libby said confidently.

The hospital’s glass doors automatically glided open as they approached. The information desk was just a few feet inside the entrance. Libby led the way and waited until the woman behind the counter finished her phone conversation.

“How can I help you?”

“We’re here to deliver preemie hats to Sharon Jennings,” Libby explained.

The receptionist took their information and then contacted Sharon.

“Third floor,” she said, as she handed them visitor badges. “Take the elevator on the right-hand side.”

“Thank you.” Libby led the girls to the elevator, pushed the button, and waited.

It arrived and they stepped inside. Just before the doors glided shut a physician entered. He glanced at the buttons but didn’t push one—he was apparently headed to the same floor they were. He looked at Libby and then the girls and then back at Libby. His gaze narrowed slightly before he looked away.

Libby recognized him immediately. She’d seen him before, but she couldn’t recall where. Perhaps that look, or whatever it was, had been one of recognition, and he was trying to figure out where he knew her from.

“I know you,” he said.

“I recognize you, too.”

He frowned again, with a faint look of disapproval.

What an unfriendly man, Libby mused. Well, it takes all kinds. Then she remembered where she’d last seen him. He was the eye candy she’d been studying at the gym that very morning. “You work out at Frankie and Johnny’s,” she said. As soon as she spoke, Libby wished she’d kept her mouth closed.

He clearly recognized her now, too, but apparently she must have irritated him in some way. He didn’t smile or comment.

“What’s the matter, did I take the machine you wanted?” she asked, bristling. He probably thought she was fat. Seeing how perfect his body was in practically every way.

He ignored her question.

“You know Libby?” Casey asked him, apparently oblivious to the tension between them. The girl didn’t have a shy bone in her body.

“I’ve seen her at the gym,” the doctor said, and grinned at the young teen. It was a really nice smile, and one he hadn’t bothered sharing with Libby. The sad part was that she wished he had. Now she was certain it was those extra pounds, or maybe he somehow knew she’d been unemployed for months. Libby crossed her arms protectively and then, realizing what she’d done, promptly dropped them again and squared her shoulders. She certainly didn’t need his approval.

“I’m Casey and this is my friend Ava,” Casey continued brightly, all smiles.

Ava gave him one of her timid looks.

“Phillip Stone,” he said.

Libby noticed how his gaze lingered on Ava and a frown briefly brought his brows together before he turned his attention back to Libby. It seemed like he was about to say something when Casey spoke.

“We’re delivering preemie hats for the babies from the yarn store.”

“Did you knit them yourselves?”

“Not all of them,” Casey said, “but some.”

Dr. Stone ignored Libby entirely. “That’s a terrific thing you’ve done. It’s important to keep the preemies warm. A lot of heat escapes through their heads, so the hats are very much appreciated.”

“That’s what Mom said.”

Phillip’s gaze went to Libby and once again he frowned. Libby was about to ask what his problem was when the elevator stopped and the doors slid open.

Without another word, he stepped out and disappeared down the hall.

Libby watched him go. What an unpleasant, egotistical man. He didn’t even know her and he’d managed to make her feel like scum.

Perhaps he assumed she’d been hitting on him at the gym. That was ridiculous, although she had to admit that she’d used him as a distraction. She hadn’t been obvious about it; at least she hoped she hadn’t.

Libby willingly admitted he was easy on the eyes, but that didn’t mean she was interested in him as anything more than a diversion. He’d seemed likable enough. Until now, that is.

Watching the other men, Libby could tell some were there to amaze everyone else with how many pounds they could lift. They weren’t even subtle about it. Libby hadn’t caught the doctor glancing at himself in the mirror, nor did he appear to be a show-off. He was there to work out, just as she was. Nevertheless he’d been cute enough to attract her attention.