Page 113 of Doctor's Bossy Match
“I don’t know if I’m ready to leave.Not now with us just getting to know each other again.And this place, I’m finally finding my feet here, and now they want me to just drop everything and go.”
Dad watches me, his fingers strumming along the chair arms.“I’ll miss having you here and at home, but watching you grow into a doctor and woman you’ve become?That’s been the greatest second chance anyone has ever given me.You can come back for a vacation; you’re only three hours away.I expect regular calls.Updates on how you’re settling in, who you’re working with.”The fact he’s giving me his blessing makes it harder.But there’s one thing I can’t let go of.
“What if I’m not ready to go?”To leave Brant…
“What if you are?Don’t worry about the hospital.We’ll be fine.”
The hospital… not Brant.Because dad doesn’t know.He can’t.
I nod.“I know.”
“When do you need to give them an answer?”
“The sooner the better.”
He stands, coming around the desk to sit on the edge of it, closer to me.His voice softer now, almost fatherly in a way that makes my heart coil.“It’s been your dream.Don’t live with regret.Follow your heart.”
I wish it was that easy.
Brant and I made an agreement.A casual bit of fun.Then I’ll go back to the city, he stays here, and nobody gets hurt.
The problem is, I think I’m already hurt.
And if I’m leaving, then I need to make sure Brant gets what he deserves.
“One thing I have to ask, please give Dr.Harrison the chief position.Dr.Gould is great, but there’s no comparison.Dr.Harrison is the better choice.”
Dad stares at me for a long moment.I’m expecting a lecture about mixing personal feelings with professional decisions and overstepping boundaries.
Instead, I get a simple nod.
“I know,” he says quietly.“I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
When I get back to Dad’s house, I drop my bag on my bed.I should feel excited.This is everything I’ve worked for.But I feel numb.I pull out my phone to call Mom.Maybe hearing her excitement will remind me why this matters.
“Regan.Hi, honey.”
“Hey, Mom.I have news…” I force excitement into my voice.
I tell her all about today.The job offer.Talking to Dad.Everything.
She squeals.“This is amazing.I’m so proud of you.We can finally spend time together again.”
Her enthusiasm pours through the phone, but I can’t match it.
“Yeah, it’ll be great.”
“Regan?Are you okay?You don’t sound—”
“I’m fine, Mom.Dinner’s getting cold.I should go.”
It’s true.Dad’s heating leftovers in the kitchen for us.And I can’t stay on the line with her any longer; otherwise, she’ll figure it out.She always does.
“Oh.Okay.Well, call me tomorrow?We can talk about when you’re arriving.”
“I will.Love you.”
“I love you too.”
