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Her face falls. “But you’re going?”
“Yes, which is part of the reason I’m making my study schedule early. Now, tell me how you found out.”
“Fine. I ran into Ryan at the grocery store. He mentioned it.” She cocks her head to the side. “He also said you guys haven’t been talking much lately.”
I divert my gaze to the stack of notepads before me, biting my lip. It’s true that I haven’t been a good friend as of late. There just isn’t enough time in the day to complete my tasks and keep up with friendships.
“I see him once in a while when I’m at the jock house, but we don’t get to talk much. I should probably call him.” I dare a peek at Maddy. She looks lost in thought. “Is something bothering you?”
“Me?” she shrieks, then shakes her head. “No. I’m fine. Oh!” She jumps up and rushes to the kitchen. “You’ve got mail.”
Maddy tosses a thick envelope at me. Instinctively, I reach out, catching it in mid-air. My fingers brush across the top corner, crisp and white with the bold letterhead of Boston General.
“Hmm, I wasn’t expecting this.” I flip the envelope, my thumb nudging under the seal. The rip sounds like a starting pistol, and my heart races in response. I pull out the cover letter, eyes devouring the words before they fully register in my brain.
“Dear Ms. Hoyt,” it starts, and I already know, but I read on, “We are pleased to officially invite you…”
“You got it?” Maddy leans over, her hands braced against the back of the couch. Sadness laces the excitement in her voice.
“Yeah, the top candidate must’ve turned it down.” I force a smile and wait for the rush of excitement to flood in, but it’s more like a trickle, leaving me off balance. This makes zero sense. I’ve worked hard, studied my ass off, and clawed my way toward a future that proves I can be a contender. But as awesome as this opportunity is, it’s not the internship I want.
“Congratulations, Amanda. This is great.”
“Can you believe it?”
“Believe it? Amanda, you’re brilliant.” She bumps her shoulder against mine in a silent ‘I told you so’ gesture. “They’d be insane not to pick you.”
As a grin plays on my lips, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. Validation doesn’t even begin to cut it. This is confirmation—all those late nights, the gallons of coffee, and the missed parties are worth it.
“At least I have until the end of December to accept it.” I take an exaggerated breath. “Is it wrong to still hope I get the Memorial Hospital one, too?”
“No, of course not.” She nudges me again, but softer this time. “I selfishly hope you get it so you won’t leave me.”
I laugh, but it quickly dies out. “Me too.”
“Where does this leave you with Blake?”
Good question.
“I don’t know.” And that could be because we haven’t talked about our relationship—if it’s even considered one. Everything is up in the air.
I glance at the envelope from Boston General, a stark reminder of the imminent decision I have to make. The weight of it all settles in my chest, mixing with the uncertainty of my future. Blake’s offer to fly me to Boston for Thanksgiving suddenly feels like a test, one that I’m unsure how to navigate.
Maddy watches me, concern evident in her eyes. She’s been my rock through thick and thin, always there with a listening ear and a comforting presence. But even she can’t unravel the mess of emotions swirling inside me.
“I tell him over Thanksgiving,” I murmur, more to myself than to Maddy. “Clear the air on … well, everything.”
She nods in agreement, silent support in her gaze. “You deserve clarity, Amanda. Don’t let this linger.”
Easier said than done. How do I confront Blake about our fake relationship that’s now real? About my conflicting feelings and this internship offer that could change everything? It’s a tangled web I never thought I’d be caught in.
And precisely why I wanted to stay single.
“Don’t worry about me.” I hold the piece of paper that feels like lead weight in my hands and give it a shake. “Everything’s falling in place for me.”
But as I gather my supplies, I can’t shake the feeling that this may be the turning point I’ve been avoiding. The moment I leave behind my new friends and a place I’ve called home for almost three years.
I may be reading too much into things. It’s all irrelevant until after the decision comes from Memorial Hospital.
