Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 33

After a long day at work, Jonathan arrived at the hospital carrying a container of nourishing soup.

In the hospital room, someone else was now in Stephanie's bed.

The nurse from the previous night saw him and asked, surprised, "Oh? Your girlfriend was discharged this morning. Didn't you know?"

Jonathan frowned. Discharged?

He took out his phone and made a call.

Back at the restaurant, Stephanie's phone, which was on the table, started ringing. She wasn't in the habit of answering unknown numbers, so she casually declined the call.

A text message came through from the same number.

Stephanie glanced down at it: Playing hard to get?

She replied: Who is this?

Jonathan. The guy who saved your life. Twice.

Stephanie's fingers curled slightly.

Jonathan had carried her into the ER last night and even stayed by her side all night. When she woke up this morning and he was gone, she assumed he wouldn't be back. She never expected him to visit her at the hospital again.

Stephanie wasn't ungrateful. She tapped out a reply: ...I was discharged. I forgot to tell you.

Jonathan: Forgot to tell me, or didn't save my number?

Stephanie: ...

Alright, she had to admit it. She had an instinct to keep her distance from Jonathan. Their last encounter had been too forward. That kiss... it gave her the impression he was just acting on lust, and it had genuinely frightened her.

But last night, he had been a perfect gentleman. Stephanie couldn't quite figure out what kind of person he truly was.

While she was lost in thought, another message arrived.

This time it was a photo. It showed a long, slender hand holding a thermal food container in a hospital hallway. The visible fingernails were neatly trimmed and clean.

Looks like the stray cats outside the hospital are in for a treat.

Was the food in the container for her?

Jonathan teased. What? Choosing a hotel? Is this your plan B if the acquisition talks don't go well? Seduce me?

Stephanie ignored his teasing and replied: See you in half an hour at the Cafe on the ground floor of this hotel.

After sending the message, Stephanie realized she was short on time. "Cecilia," she said quickly, "something's come up. I have to go now."

Cecilia had noticed Stephanie furiously texting someone. "What's the rush?" she asked curiously. "Is your new husband checking up on you?"

"Of course not, we haven't even met... Besides, he's probably on a military base somewhere," Stephanie said, standing up and slinging her purse over her shoulder. "It's about Meridian Consortium."

"Oh, so it's not the husband." Cecilia sounded disappointed. She'd never met a real, live gay man before.

Since it was business, Cecilia didn't try to keep her. "It's hard to get a cab at this hour. Should I have my cousin give you a ride?"

Stephanie hesitated, glancing at Joseph. "I... wouldn't want to impose."

Cecilia said casually, "What's there to impose? He's my cousin, he's practically your cousin too! Besides, he lives near your hotel, so it's on his way."

Joseph had already gone ahead to get the car.