AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My thoughts returned to Jenna when the elevator arrived, and we shuffled onto it. I swiped my fob and hit the number for my floor, then she did the same, except she pressed P for the penthouse. With nine children, Justice had been creative in expanding his two-level, three-bedroom apartment.
Blair’s father had occupied the other apartment on his floor, but when his daughter gave birth to his fourth grandchild, he moved down a few. Then Justice had taken over the entirety of three floors to create a triplex penthouse that had almost twenty-thousand square feet.
I considered whether to buy or create a similar residence, especially since Justice had also made sure there was over two thousand square feet of outdoor space for his kids to play in. A townhouse would offer more privacy, but it would likely have less of a yard. Somehow, I would need to figure out a way to learn Jenna’s preference without her guessing my motivation. Quickly, because I wanted to have our home ready before the ink was dry on our marriage license. And it would make things much harder for her father to try to take her from me if we weren’t living in the same building.
“I’m glad your first day went so well, sunshine.”
Jenna beamed and stepped toward me, then paused and moved back, clenching her arms around her middle. My jaw clenched, pissed that she wasn’t wrapped around me instead. I hated anything that got to touch her when I didn’t, even her arms. Or her teeth biting her plump pink lips. It would be a miracle if I survived the next seven weeks.
The elevator reached my floor, and I debated riding to the top with Jenna to make sure she made it home safely, but I didn’t want to run into anyone else and risk them sensing what I felt for her. Especially Blair or Justice.
“Good night, sunshine.” I walked out of the lift, but before the doors slid shut, I turned around. “Come to my office first tomorrow,” I told her.
She didn’t have time to reply before the elevator shut and surged upward.
I trudged to my apartment door and unlocked it, then frowned when I stepped inside the cold, quiet space. It had never seemed as empty as it did now that I could imagine Jenna filling my life.
Once I’d taken off my coat and hung it up in the closet, I set my scarf and gloves on a little entry table. Then I meandered back to the primary bedroom and didn’t bother to turn on the lights as I changed into jeans and a T-shirt. Sunset was around four thirty this time of year, so the view from my floor-to-ceiling windows was beautiful.
I padded barefoot out to the kitchen and told my smart device to turn on the lights, then I opened the refrigerator and stared at my meager options. Since I spent so much time at the hospital, I wasn’t often home at meal times. Something I would start changing right away. The hospital staff could take the next couple of months to get used to my working on administrative tasks from home more often.
My phone dinged with a text message, so I shut the fridge and wandered over to the counter where I’d set it.
Unknown:
Hi, this is Jenna Kendall. My mom gave me your number. I wanted to thank you again. And I thought you should have my number in case you need me.
I most definitely needed her.
Unknown:
I mean, need me at the hospital. When I’m not scheduled. Or if anything changes.
The text bubble appeared, then disappeared a few times, and I couldn’t help chuckling as I pictured her blushing over rambling in a text. I added her to my contacts, then typed out a response.
Me:
No thanks necessary. I’m lucky to have you—
I deleted the last part and rephrased it.
Me:
No thanks necessary. We’re lucky to have you.
I contemplated changing it back, then hit send before I did.
Then I followed up with another message.
Me:
Don’t forget what I said about tomorrow.
Sunshine:
I won’t. Good night, Dr. Sutton.
Sunshine:
