Page 140 of The Golden Hour

“Hm. That’s a beautiful name,” he murmurs, before looking back and forth between Honey and Mason. “Is there anything else I can answer for you today?”

“Actually,” Mason says, “yes, there is.”

Honey’s face is bright and excited, and she nods reassuringly at Mason. It fills his chest with the confidence to ask what he’s been fretting over for the last month.

Honey had gently suggested that he could ask Dr. Adonis for his input, since he had the necessary experience.

“I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of your time?” Mason asks. “If you have patients⁠⁠—”

“No, I’m free after this,” Dr. Adonis says, looking genuinely surprised. “What can I help you with?”

“I’ll go schedule our next appointment,” Honey says, standing once Daisy is buckled into the car seat. “Thank you, Dr. Adonis.”

“We’ll see you next month, Honey,” Dr. Adonis says easily. “Any questions, just call the office. They’ll connect you right to me.”

Honey nods before shooting Mason an encouraging smile and then walks out the door with Daisy in her car seat.

Dr. Adonis turns to Mason expectantly.

“So… I quit,” Mason starts, before cringing. “St. Mary’s, I mean. I don’t think emergency medicine is right for me.”

Dr. Adonis looks sympathetic and nods, “It’s a brutal specialty.”

“It is, but… it wasn’t just the specialty,” Mason says. “It was coming before my family. It was running my entire life. I can’t do it anymore.”

“It’s very admirable of you,” Dr. Adonis says. “Most men don’t recognize that until it’s too late.”

Mason looks at him in surprise, and Dr. Adonis shrugs.

“People think pediatrics is slow and boring, but this is where you really see everyone’s closet full of skeletons,” Dr. Adonis’ mouth flattens. “And it’s worse because there are children involved.”

“But I digress,” he says, clapping Mason’s shoulder. “I admire you for that, Mason.”

“Thank you,” Mason says, feeling wholly unworthy of the admiration. But also appreciative.

“I wanted to… I don’t know,” Mason says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I did a rotation in pediatrics, and I really enjoyed it. But then I did my ED rotation after and… yeah.”

“Yeah, indeed,” Dr. Adonis nods. “So, you were thinking of changing to pediatrics?”

“Yes,” Mason nods. “I know, I’ll have to pretty much start at square one, but…”

Mason pauses, glancing in the direction Honey left, and smiles.

“It’s worth it,” Mason says firmly.

When he looks back, Dr. Adonis’s brow is furrowed, a pensive expression on his face.

“I finished my residency at CHOP about ten years ago, but I’m still in touch with my mentor there,” Dr. Adonis says with a shrug. “You do your part, get your paperwork transferred, and I could send over a letter of recommendation.”

Mason blinks. “You would do that?”

“Yeah, why not?” Dr. Adonis smiles. “I’d be happy to help. Send me your CV, your residency evaluations, whatever you’re comfortable sharing. We’ll talk more. If it feels right, I’ll write the letter.”

Mason winces.

“I don’t know if you’ve realized, but I’m kind of an asshole to you.”

Dr. Adonis throws his head back and laughs. “You and every single one of my patients’ husbands. I’m used to it by now.”