Not in a friendly way like I’d say I love Staci and Brooks. No.
Clara’s in love with me.
I’ve waited all of my adult life for this moment, but it’s better than I could’ve imagined.
Thirty-Five
Clara
The morning after our date, I feel Dax’s lips against my forehead, but I don’t open my eyes. “Sleep. We need sleep,” I groan, turning over to face his side of the bed. “Where are you off to so early?”
“Time for me to go to work.” He smooths my hair back. “But you sleep. Rest. You said your mom will take Jacob to school, right?”
I nod, a lazy smile spreading across my lips. “I have work today too, though, so I should probably get moving as well.”
“Have a good day.” He cradles my head and gives me a long kiss, one that I’ll be dreaming about all day. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
With a wink, he’s out of here, and I’m left feeling like I just went on a first date that ended really well. I feel like my friend Melanie did when she went out with the guy she ended up marrying.
Giddy.
I’m giddy, even though Dax and I have known each other all our lives.
Even though we’ve been dating for several weeks, it feels new yet comfortable. Exciting yet natural.
I brought my clothes for work, and as I get ready, I feel like I’m floating. Like one of Jacob’s flying vehicles in Fortnite.
I check in with my mom to make sure Jacob got up and dressed for school this morning, and when she confirms he did, I promise to see her soon and head to work.
“Are you engaged yet, or what?” Sidney asks the minute I walk through the door. “Because if he’s still putting that smile on your face after all this time, Dax needs to put a ring on it.”
I shake my head. “No ring, but it’s been going really well.” I drop my purse by my desk and pace the small space. “I mean, I feel like we’re in a romantic comedy. Just skipping around on clouds of hearts.”
“Oh my God, that’s the best news. The only other news, of course, is Rory and his new girlfriend who’s half his age moving in together, but I’m excited for you, nonetheless.” She giggles warmly.
“Thank you.” I exhale and fold my hands in front of me. “Did you get the pictures I sent you yesterday? Of the mom of five, who runs her own cooking channel on YouTube?”
“Yes, and I love them, especially the one of her holding up the whisk with her six-year-old next to her. He’s too cute with the flour on his nose.” She points to my computer. “I have a few thoughts on a couple shots too.”
We get down to business, all while I count down the hours until I see Dax again.
Thirty-Six
Dax
I’m still trying to contain my smile as I drive to the clinic. I have a full day ahead of me, and I can’t help but think about Clara in my bed, night after night.
Her hair shone in the sunlight this morning.
Her pink toes peeked out from under the covers when she turned around.
Her lazy smile.
Once I put my car in park and peer through the windshield toward the tall hospital building, I take a deep breath to calm my excited nerves.
I was Dax this morning with Clara, but once I enter those doors, I’m Dr. Pearson. No distractions. No excuses.
I enter the double doors and nod to the ladies at the front desk. Tinsley rounds the corner, and her face falls when she sees me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask her, and it feels like everyone’s eyes are on me.
“You need to talk to Brooks.” Tinsley wraps her arms around her stomach.
I feel the blood drain from my face.
Immediately, I head down the hall that connects the clinic to the hospital and step onto the elevator. Once the doors open, I recognize the woman sniffling into a tissue.
“Rita, what’s going on?” I place my hand on her shoulder, and dread pools in my stomach.
“It’s… Ed,” she hiccups. “He had another—” I lose the rest of her sentence in her sobs.
My blood runs ice cold as Brooks comes into view, his jaw set and eyes tired. He sighs when he sees me and holds up his phone. “I was just calling you.”
“What happened?”
There’s another round of sobs from Rita, who lays her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her and give her comfort as best I can. I’ve never been good at this part. Even knowing firsthand what bad news can do to people, I haven’t been able to give the comfort I know people wish for.
Because it hurts me too. Every patient who doesn’t make it rips a hole through my soul, but I do the best I can.
I’m here for a hug if they need it.
I’ll take the punches if they need me to.
The yelling, the sobs, I’ll let them do what they need.
But as I hold Rita, Brooks’s expression becomes even darker and sadder. This round of bad news will crush me.
Once Rita pulls back, a nurse leads her away to get coffee.
Brooks leads me toward his office and closes the door behind us. “Ed had another heart attack. In his sleep. Rita woke to his cries of pain and called an ambulance.”
“Where is he? Take me to him.”
“We rushed him to surgery. He went into cardiac arrest. There was nothing more we could do, Dax.” He runs his hand down his face, and he looks like he aged ten years just this morning.
He has bags under his eyes, and he frowns so hard his narrow chin has wrinkles.
He appears as defeated as I feel.
Backing away from him, I run my hands through my hair and tug on the
