“There are more than two Nigerian tribes, you know?”
“Yes, hundreds,” she confirms. “But those are the most common where I grew up.”
“Igbo,” I say, shifting in my seat. “Though, my grandmother on my father's side was Yoruba, so I grew up honoring and experiencing traditions from both."
She's quiet and it's driving me insane with curiosity. "You’re learning all about me, and you still won’t give me your name.”
“Ask me something else,” she demands, and so I do.
“What brings you joy?”
She laughs. “Wow. Bringing out the big guns, eh?”
I shrug, knowing she can’t see it. “I don’t know how to do surface. When I go in, I go deep.”
Yes, I heard it too and I did it on purpose.
She clears her throat.
“Old people.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Old people,” she repeats, firmer this time but still cheerful.
“You’re gonna have to explain why the elderly bring you joy.” I pause. “Please, Ms. Mysterious.”
Did I just saypleaselike a good little submissive?
She snickers, and I can tell she’s cute. There’s no way she’s not the most adorable creature I will ever lay my eyes…or hands on.
“I’m a nurse. Nurse Administrator. And on slow days, I like to visit the geriatric floors. I sit with them and let them tell me their stories. The lives they lived. The people they loved. The things their families probably take for granted. I’ve traveled to a million places through their memories. Allowing them to share, but actually taking an interest in them, does something for both of us in those moments.”
Bloody hell.
She’sreal.
And I feel it—clear as day.
I don’t even know her name, but I’m already gone.
Bloody fucking hell.
Chapter One
Hip Replacements + the “Hell Yes” Rule
Aspen
Six months ago.
“Ms. Lilly!” I say, stepping into the room with a raised brow and a hand on my hip. “Didn’t you tell me you were going to sleep last time I checked on you?”
She waves a hand at me. “That was before I remembered my show was on tonight!”
“And what show is that?” I ask, because it’s too late in the evening for it to be herstories.
She looks at me as if I should already know. “SightUnseen!”
