Page 127 of Doctor's Bossy Match
I try to smile, but it feels forced as I sink back into the sofa.Because Brant never felt like a job.He felt like the one thing that made sense when nothing else did.
“Exactly.But now that I’ve got this job… now that I’m back in New York, I think maybe I could make time.One day.”
I can’t imagine meeting someone else.Not when Brant’s face is still the first thing I see when I close my eyes.Not when I’d compare every guy to him.
She studies me for another long moment, then gives a small nod.“Fair enough.But this guy sounds different.Just saying.”
I nudge her with my foot.“Alright, enough about me.What have you been up to while I’ve been gone?Any hot dates?”
She barks out a laugh.“Me?Oh, sweetheart, I’m way past the dating phase.One marriage was enough.I’m happily single.”
“I know, but I’m just checking that nothing’s changed.”We’ve had this conversation in the past, but I had to ask again in case she was just protecting herself.Just like I am.
“Absolutely.I’ve learned to enjoy my own company.No one leaving dishes in the sink.No one snoring.Just me, my wine, and a good book.”
I smile.“That sounds kind of perfect.”
She grins, then launches into an update about life here since I’ve been away.
It’s not Pulse Point gossip, but it’s home.And it’s exactly what I need.
“Oh, and Scarlet’s good,” I add, reaching for the takeout container to scoop a little more onto my bowl.“And Dusty?He’s huge.Like, suddenly-a-whole-kid huge.”
“I saw the photo of you all.He looked so happy.”
“He is.His heart’s doing well.His latest scan was clear.Honestly, seeing him like that, it kind of broke me a little.And we opened the new expansion.You saw that too?”
I think about the ward and how it would be working there now.Wonder if Dusty will remember me the next time I visit.
“I did.”She smiles.“It looked beautiful.Bright.Kid-friendly.”
“The Kings donated enough to build something really special.It’s going to help so many kids.Pulse Point’s growing like crazy.More families, the bigger the need.It felt good to be part of something that mattered.”
“But you’re back now,” she says gently.“New job.New chapter.”
I nod, biting my bottom lip to keep it from trembling.“Yeah.I’m ready for it… I think.But I also left behind someone I wasn’t expecting to care so much about.”My voice cracks slightly.
She studies me for a beat.“Someone?”
I look away, but that’s answer enough.
“I don’t need to pry,” she says, reaching over to squeeze my hand.“But if you ever want to talk about him or whatever, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
But I won’t.I can’t, because talking about Brant means reliving every moment.And the only way I’m going to survive this is by not opening myself up.
We sit in silence for a few seconds, the kind that feels full rather than awkward.I sink into the cushions beside her and let my head rest on her shoulder.
“You know what I missed most?”I mumble.
“What?”
“This.Right here.”
She smiles, resting her cheek against my hair.“Me too, sweetheart.Me too.”
I twirl my noodles with the chopsticks, but I still haven’t taken a single bite of my second serving.It’s not the food.It’s the conversation.Sitting across from Mom, curled up in our matching pajama pants, everything feels too still.
