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“And what did she say?”
“She said she didn’t. That he wanted to, but she never did.”
Benji chuckles, but it sounds judgmental and lacks even an ounce of humor. “And let me guess … you didn’t believe her.”
I glance away and stay silent. I can see Benji finish the last of his coffee from the corner of my eye.
“Maybe it’s for the better,” I murmur. “She was always leaving anyway.”
“She interviewed for that job over at the urgent care. They plan to offer Lo the position.”
Something squeezes inside my chest. “How did you find that out?”
“I talked to Mary Wilson,” he says. “And I told her they’d be crazy not to offer it to her. Mary agreed. Said all of them were ready to hire her a minute after meeting Lo. And that her résumé and her experience make her perfect for the position.”
“Is she going to take it?” I hold my breath.
He shrugs. “That, I don’t know. But I plan to find out.” He slides out of the booth, pulling his wallet from his back pocket to leave a tip on the table. “If you were smart, you’d find out too.” He takes a few steps but pauses just before leaving. “I know you’re used to flying solo, Z. It’s comfortable. I get it. I’m in the same boat. But Lo … she’s … special.” He has the ghost of a smile on his face as he thinks about the woman who’s turned my life upside down the past few weeks. The same one who has bewitched my friends at the same time. “If you have the chance at something good with her … don’t fuck it up.”
The problem is, I think I already have.
He leaves, the door ringing as he pushes it open. I watch his back disappear into the crowd on the sidewalk as I consider my next move.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
WILLOW
I find myself sitting across the desk from Jeff again in his corner office. It’s Monday morning—exactly three weeks from the day that I found out I was being replaced. The only difference is that Dr. Cooper is missing this time. According to Jeff, he had so many surgeries to perform that he scheduled himself out of the clinic and into the operating room for the day. He always preferred surgery to the clinic. I would think it was strategic if he’d known I was coming today. But he didn’t. No one did.
I still haven’t heard from Ron. And I’m pretty sure I never will. But somehow, I think it’s for the best.
I glance around the space. It looks unchanged, but it feels completely different. Or maybe it’s me who feels different. I’m not the same person I was even three short weeks ago.
“Dr. Cooper is prepared to give you a month’s severance,” Jeff starts. “But he doesn’t think it’d be good for the two of you to work together anymore.”
Translation: Dr. Cooper thinks I’ll be spiteful and punish him for his decision. I wouldn’t. At this point, I just want to leave it all behind.
In hindsight, it was a relief to find out the truth about Dr. Cooper and the affair. It freed me from the burden of it all. I can walk away now, bruised but not beaten. Cut and scarred, but wiser somehow.
“Okay,” I agree.
We discuss the details of my departure, and I leave his office. I stop by the hallway where I’ve spent endless days over the past six years and clean out my desk. I talk to our medical assistant and a surgery scheduler, both who have become close friends. I tell them the truth about things—that I’m being replaced and I won’t be returning. And then I leave.
I don’t feel the weight of the world on my shoulders like I did before when I walked out of the building. It’s strange, driving out of the parking garage. But it isn’t suffocating like it was.
Mary calls when I pull into my driveway at home and offers me the urgent care job. We discuss the details, like benefits and salary. I’m still sitting in the driver’s seat with the engine turned off when I counter, asking for more pay than they initially offered. She goes back to the physicians, and they meet my demands later that afternoon. The contract is emailed to me by that evening, and I drive to my parents’ house to talk over the terms with them. I accept the position the next morning. I won’t start for another month or two though.
And then I spend the next two weeks arranging things.
With the help of Wyatt and Benji, I find a condominium online to rent until I can buy a place of my own in Sullivan’s Way. I put my home up for sale in the city. Luckily, it’s a seller’s market right now. The agent and I move quickly, and we have an openhouse over the weekend. I receive an offer three days later. Agoodoffer, reinforcing that this is the right decision for me.
Everything seems to be falling into place.
And the entire time, Zane stays tucked in the back of my head.
He texts me a few times. Just casual messages. I guess it’s his way of trying to break the ice that’s formed between us. But that ice remains frozen solid since I don’t answer.
Things felt unresolved between the two of us when I left town. They still do. But I have too much on my plate right now to confront him. Plus, part of me wants to punish him for his assumptions. Somehow, I know our day of reckoning is coming. And ready or not, I’m moving to Sullivan’s Way. His town. It’s time to start over.
