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I want to ask about the chemo but that moment has passed. I’m not even sure she realizes that she let the word slip.
“Do you need to go be a surgeon now?” She hands me back the empty glass. “I think I’ll be fine now.”
“I’ll take you home on my way.”
She’s saved by the bell. Literally. My phone starts ringing again.
Fuck that thing.
I pick it up from where I tossed it on the bed. “What is it?”
I hang my head as I listen to Kylie rattle off a series of numbers that should be making sense to me. I can’t focus. All I can think about is the fact that Chloe had chemo at some point in her life.
“I’m leaving now,” I say brusquely before I end the call.
“I’ll be fine to get home on my own.” Chloe stands and puts her hands on her hips. “I’m good as new.”
I look at her face. Jesus. All I want is to tuck her in my bed and keep her there. This woman has been through way too much in her life already.
My phone starts up again. I want to smash it against the wall but I can’t. I fucking can’t because I need to get to work so I can assist Kylie in surgery.
“I’ll get dressed and find my way home.” Chloe leans forward and kisses my cheek. “Thank you for everything, Evan.”
Thank you for storming into my life. I ache to say the words but I don’t. Instead I answer my phone and watch her get dressed before she walks away.
Chapter 29
Chloe
“Can food poisoning last a week?” I take a seat on a bench in Central Park. “I was queasy again today.”
“You look a little green.” Gabi tugs on the end of my hair. “Maybe it is the flu. It’s prime flu season. Don’t breathe on me.”
I can’t help but laugh. “There are other symptoms with the flu. It’s not just nausea.”
“You said you almost passed out at Evan’s apartment last week.” She juts her index finger in the air. “That’s another symptom. If I were a doctor, I’d diagnose it as the flu.”
“You’re not a doctor,” I point out the obvious. “Maybe I need to go see mine.”
“I get worried.” She reaches for my hand and gives it a tight squeeze. “I always get worried when you’re feeling under the weather.”
I do too but this is not anything serious. I know my body. I’ve been in remission for years. “It’s nothing to be worried about, Gabi.”
“Promise me you’ll make an appointment with Dr. Reynolds to get checked out.”
I did miss my yearly physical so it wouldn’t hurt to have a check-up. “I’ll make the appointment as soon as we’re back at the office.”
She shoves her phone into my hand. “Do it now, Chloe. She may have an opening today.”
***
I scratch the back of my neck while I wait for Dr. Reynolds in her office. When I called for an appointment, the receptionist told me that they had a cancellation at the end of the day. I was tempted to pass on it since I felt so tired today, but I knew that Gabi would steal the phone from me and agree to the appointment herself.
I twirl a piece of my hair around my finger. I have a feeling that she’s going to tell me to eat three square meals a day and work out. I strive for the first, but the second is where I falter.
Going to the gym doesn’t fit into my schedule. I don’t have the time to devote to it right now and if she pushes, I’ll tell her that I’ll stroll around Central Park on my lunch break.
I turn in the chair I’m sitting in when I hear the door to her office click shut. The sound is innocent but it washes over me like a tidal wave of memories.
