“I need a half day next Friday, you'd have to cover my patients for the afternoon clinic.”
There’s exactly three seconds of silence before he says, “Done.”
Just like that.
I blink. “Really?”
“Tell my wife it came from you and I'll have you on call for a month straight. I want all the credit for this.”
I walk away laughing and stunned. It gives me a buzz, like I’ve just discovered a secret, a key only I hold. One text from a rock star and suddenly my notoriously strict mentor folds like wet cardboard. When I text Rafe back, my fingers are trembling a little. A mix of exhilaration and power.
He said yes. I can’t believe that actually worked.
I told you. I’m very persuasive when properly motivated.
now I just need your details for booking. friday night flight in, sunday morning back.hotel, passes, I'll get everything sorted with Elise and Olivia.
I can’t believe this is happening.This can’t be real.
believe it.
miami’s waiting.
I stare at the screen, heart thundering, the clinic spinning faintly around me. I’m supposed to feel guilty, conflicted, and maybe I do, but under all of it, there’s something else, impossible to ignore.
Excitement runs through my veins, reckless and alive.
Chapter 25
Kochana
By the time the clinic ends, I’m lighter, but I'm still worried about seeing Dominik and Zosia. I try to swallow down the nerves about telling everyone about Miami on the drive over. Mama’s house is alive in every direction: pots clattering, voices overlapping, smells of dill and onions and baked bread. Piotr already has a beer in hand, arguing with Tata about some soccer score. Aga’s on the couch, balancing Kacper on the curve of her bump while she spoons mashed carrots toward his mouth. Natalia’s muttering about lighting and product placement while arranging jewelry on the couch cushion. It’s chaos in the most familiar way, warm, loud, and full of interruptions. I glance at the door.
Piotr catches it. “Not here yet, doktorka,” he teases, waving hisbottle. “Patience. I’m shocked you weren’t with them?”
“Clinic,” I say, as if that’s the only word required.
Everyone looks up. Dominik steps in first, carrying Zosia’s backpack, the little one trailing behind him. But something’s different, the easy spark from before is gone. His shoulders are stiff, his smile faint and Zosia doesn’t come running like usual. She just wanders toward Aga, holding a new drawing, and launches straight into explaining every color she used, everyone exchanges glances. Dominik shoots me an apologetic look across the room and my throat tightens. Before anyone can say anything, I excuse myself, mumbling something about washing up. The bathroom is small, beige tiles with faded floral edges, a crocheted cover on the spare toilet paper, a tiny frosted window that smells faintly of rain and lemon cleaner. The counter barely fits a sink, the mirror a little chipped at one corner. I close the door, sit on the counter. The sobs come fast and uncontrollable.
A soft knock. “Kasia, kochanie,” Mama says in Polish. “Why are you crying? What’s wrong?”
I try to compose myself, dabbing at my face with a wad of tissue. “Nothing, Mama. I’m fine, work’s just been hard.”
The tears betray me again, harder this time. I hear her footsteps retreating, voices outside low and worried, then Dominik’s.
A murmur in Polish : “I’ll take care of her, Mama. I promise.”
The door handle jiggles. His voice follows, careful. “Kasia… please. Talk to me, let me in.”
I open it and he fills the doorway, his frame taking up most of the light. His expression softens the moment he sees my face, eyes red, cheeks blotchy, tissue balled in my hand. He closes the door behind him, the bathroom barely fits the two of us. I shift onto the counter, knees drawn in, and he steps closer, the scent of cool air and soap washing over me.
“She hates me now,” I manage.
He shakes his head immediately. “No, shedoesn’t. She just got confused. Her Auntie did something she didn’t expect. Give her a minute, kids adjust.”
I let out a brittle laugh. “If I can't kiss you again without breaking her heart, how are we supposed to date?”
He sets his hands gently on my shoulders. “Look at me, Kasia. Please.”
