Page 50 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

‘I’m pushing again. We can talk about something else.’

‘No, it’s only that…’ I paused because it was hard to frame my response without making my parents look like the villains in my origin story. ‘They were… hesitant.’

Her brows pinched together and she winced like she’d forgotten the cut above her eye. ‘That doesn’t make sense.’

‘They had other plans in mind. None of which included me graduating from residency and flying across the world the next day. They especially hated it when a year later I left the ship and went to work in a field hospital with Doctors in Service.’

‘Yes.’ Her gaze went serious. ‘My brother told me about that.’

‘It was hard and not a good fit for me. After I was done, I went right back to the ship in Senegal.’

She must have noticed the stress in my voice because she said, ‘Tell me more about Africa.’

‘It’s beautiful and the people are wonderful.’ I sighed, a familiar warmth falling over me. ‘They’re generous and kind. In Senegal, they have this word they use… Teranga. It means being human first. That we each have value. That you are welcome the minute you enter the community. The wards on the ship’s surgical units are a symbol of that idea. Most of the beds are only a few feet apart. It’s much different than in the US. The patients don’t mind though. They comfort one another. Encourage each other through treatment. It’s life-changing to see.’

‘I’m beginning to understand why you enjoy it so much.’

I took another slice to keep my mind off the fact that, if I leaned in closer, I could brush my mouth over hers, taste the fresh basil and mozzarella on her lips.

‘And you like living on a ship? I would imagine it gets cramped.’

‘My single-berth room is small. There’s only space for a bed, a desk and very tiny bathroom. All I really do there is sleep. If I’m not on shift, I’m out exploring.’

She set her slice on her plate and brushed the crumbs off her fingertips. ‘It sounds fascinating. Tell me more.’

‘There’s this spot called La Corniche that’s a pathway along the public beaches. In certain places, they have restaurants where they cook fresh fish on outdoor grills. They also serve madd, which is a fruit. Locals mix the pulp with sugar and water and it’s delicious. There’s also Lake Retba. Also known as Lac Rose. Pink Lake. The algae in it produces a pinkish hue that’s stunning. Locals mine it for salt to preserve fish. In the last few years it’s become Instagram famous.’

She tilted her head and held me in that gorgeous amber gaze. ‘You miss it.’

‘I do,’ I said, not realizing how much until I had started talking about it. ‘That’s enough about me. How about you and Beck? Are you alike?’

‘A little.’ She slid her plate onto the table. ‘But I suppose that’s because we’re bonded through trauma.’

The way she wrapped her arms around herself, protecting her body like a fortress, warned I was stepping into uncomfortable territory for her.

I wanted to say the right thing, insist she could trust me. My mind spun with the ways I could put her at ease until my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a message from the clinic, requesting I call a patient who had a question about a new medication.

It was for the best. I’d laid a quiet foundation for a friendship with her tonight, and I didn’t need to press my luck.

‘I should go. That’s the after-hours answering service.’

‘Sure.’

For a flicker of a second I could have sworn she was disappointed I was leaving.

‘Thanks for the pizza.’

‘No problem. Don’t go hanging on any more shower rods, all right?’

‘That’s not what happened,’ she laughed, swatting at my shoulder.

I caught her hand in midair. We stayed in a smoldering haze, neither of us moving. I took a step closer, her beautiful red lips drawing me in. Her eyes were a stunning blend of gold and brown with small specks of green around the edges. And, fuck, her hair smelled like coffee and vanilla and I wanted to bury myself in the scent of her.

I pushed a lock of hair away from her cheek and her breath caught. Feeling that undeniable pull toward her, I slid my hand behind her neck. She shuttered her eyes as if waiting for me. I leaned in, so close to brushing my mouth over hers, until my phone buzzed again. The shock of it forced me to take a step back, making some space between us.

‘I should go.’

Her gentle eyes took me in and I softly ran my thumb over the bandage on her head.

‘Goodnight, Bird.’

A soft smile lifted her lips when she said goodbye.

Friends, I reminded myself as I walked to my own door. That’s what we agreed. But when I closed my eyes tonight, I suspected the only thing I’d be dreaming about was her.