“Penn, I’m serious.” Her eyes are full of worry. “You lost a patient today. I’m so sorry. We don’t have to go sit through dinner and make small talk with people from work.”
There’s no way I’m skipping this. I finally showed up for her, and I have to follow through. “I can handle it.”
“You don’t have to handle everything.”
I look out the windshield. “Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
I finally put my eyes back on her. “I’m tired of letting you down.”
She stills.
I drag a hand over my jaw. “I’m tired of saying I’ll be somewhere and not showing up. And I’m tired of you waiting for me and then telling yourself you understand. I know you do understand. That’s the problem. You always understand, and I still keep hurting you.”
“Penn.”
“I said I’d take you tonight.” I look at her. “I’m taking you.”
Her eyes soften, but they also shine a little. “I don’t want you to do this because you feel guilty.”
“I’m not.” I take a breath. “I’m doing it because you asked me to come, and I want to be there with you.”
She studies my face for a long second, then nods. “Okay,” she whispers.
I put the car back in drive. But before I can pull out, she reaches for my hand and brings it to her mouth. She kisses my knuckles, and the simple touch nearly undoes me.
“I’m sorry about your patient,” she says.
My throat tightens. “Thank you.”
She keeps hold of my hand the rest of the drive.
The restaurant is busy when we get there, and I can tell right away this is going to be one of those dinners where everyone talks too loudly and laughs too much because they’re all trying to impress each other.
Normally, that would irritate me, but tonight, I’m just grateful Aria’s hand is in mine.
Her boss, Dr. Hensley, is at the head of the table with his wife beside him. A few physical therapists are already there, along with some nurses and admin staff I recognize from around the hospital.
Cathy waves us over. “Aria! Penn! Over here.”
Aria smiles and pulls me toward the table. I see Knox standing closely to another man, and my steps slow.
Aria notices and looks up at me. “What?”
Before I can answer, Knox turns and smiles. “Hey, Aria.”
“Hey.” She gestures to me. “You know Penn.”
Knox nods. “Yeah. Good to see you again.”
I force myself to nod. “You too.”
The man beside him reaches out a hand. “I’m Ben. Knox’s husband.”
For a second, I just stare at him, but I quickly recover and take his hand. “Penn Brody.”
Ben smiles. “Nice to meet you.”
