Page 40 of Miss Fortune

“When I was four years old, the doctors discovered I had a heart defect. They monitored it for years, and I took various medications, but we always knew there was no fix. Two and a half years ago it got so bad I had to have a transplant.”

I wasn’t often shocked, but this was completely unexpected. “You had a heart transplant?”

“Yes.”

I raked my hand through my hair, my brain recalling everything she’d said to me about quitting her job and moving to LA. About life being too short. It was all coming together now. “Your change of heart was literal.”

She smiled sadly. “It was. NASA was amazing with their medical coverage, but after being given a second chance at life, I realized I no longer wanted the same one. My parents, of course, believe I’ve squandered my education and career. My colleagues were shocked to hear I wasn’t coming back. But as for me, well, I’m still searching for what it is I want out of life. I love my independence and the ability to help people whenever I can. It’s what my grandmother hoped I’d do. She was the only one who didn’t judge when I told her I didn’t want to return to my old life. Then when she passed away, she gave me the means to do it.”

Hadn’t I judged her before I knew the entire story? “People will always have opinions, and there will always be someone disappointed no matter what you do. Some people spend their entire lives asking what if, but you actually did something to find out. It’s remarkable.” I was envious of her bravery for charting a path for herself regardless of what others thought.

She appeared taken aback for a half a second. “Really?”

“Yeah. I’ll admit when I first saw your—as you called it—unconventional job history, it didn’t make sense. But now it does. I’m sorry for judging.”

She laughed it off. “If I’d seen a resumé which included MIT, NASA, and dog walking, I’d judge too. But now you have the full story.”

This was definitely deeper than anything I’d shared. “I didn’t mean to push you.”

“It wasn’t a push as much as it was a nudge. Don’t worry, I never do anything I don’t want to anymore. It’s a relief to have told you.”

“What is the prognosis, long term? Can you still do things a normal person could?” Instantly, I cringed over using the word “normal.”

“Well, ‘normal’ to me has never been normal. But I can do more now post-transplant than I could as a kid. Of course, I have to take my medication, guard against infection, limit my drinking, eat a heart-healthy diet, and exercise. Also, it affects my driving.”

Wait, what? “Your heart transplant affects your driving?”

She started giggling, the sound contagious and triggering me to smile.

“Ah, more like the rain affected your driving on the morning you hit me. Or maybe it’s the ridiculous eyelashes on your headlights.”

She scoffed. “How dare you call Betsey’s eyelashes ridiculous They set her apart amongst the masses, I’ll have you know.”

Sort of like Daisy herself. Everything about her stood out. Why was it I couldn’t fall for her again? The list of reasons I’d come up with to convince myself were getting harder to remember.

Chapter Eighteen

Daisy

Despite what I’d call a friendship breakthrough on Saturday, come Monday morning Caleb acted as if we had no connection whatsoever. I tried not to take it personally. After all, we were at the office, and it made sense to act professional. But while he could flip a switch and be all business, I was having a harder time with the masquerade.

As he’d instructed, I knocked on the conference room door to interrupt his current meeting enabling him to make his next scheduled phone call. He stood up, as did his female client. I knew from her file she was in the process of divorcing her third husband.

Caleb took her outstretched hand. “Nice to see you again, Sheila. I have to run to my next meeting, but I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”

The beautiful woman glanced at me but didn’t seem to mind the audience as she danced her fingers down his tie. “Tomorrow works great. You have my number in case you change your mind about Friday night.”

Subtle she was not. My jealousy threatened to make an appearance.

His jaw was tense. “I do have your number. Thank you.”

While I ushered Sheila to the elevators, Caleb went to his office for his call. But when I returned to my desk, I didn’t see the light on his phone line.

After knocking on his door lightly, I heard, “Come in.”

I stepped inside. “Do I need to reschedule your call?”

“The client requested ten more minutes since he’s in the car with his kids. I needed the breather, so good timing.”