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Brooke
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Caleb was helping me take my loaded suitcases downstairs and was planning to drive me to LAX in the morning for my flight.
“Do you think if you keep asking the question, you’ll get a different answer,” I retorted and laughed when he stuck his tongue out at me.
“I just want you to be certain.”
“Of course I’m not one hundred percent certain. It’s a rash decision and one I might end up regretting, but I’m willing to take a chance on it.” I’d finished my last days with Dr. Marshall’s practice, given myself one day to pack, and tomorrow morning I was off.
There was a healthy dose of adrenaline and anxiety, but I was determined to make a fresh start, and this would be diving into it headfirst. All the way to Houston for a week of training and ultimately to Haiti, where I’d accepted a three-month assignment with Doctors Without Borders.
It’s what I needed. To help deliver babies in communities where medical care was scarce and also to get away from California for a much-needed reset. My brother had seemed on board when we’d researched it a week ago.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Daisy shouted out from the kitchen.
Caleb sighed. “What she’s doing is wonderful, but I worry about your safety, sis.”
“I appreciate it, but it’s an organization with a great reputation.” And since their wedding was set for two weeks after I returned, the planning was perfect for me to return in time.
I walked into the kitchen to help Daisy set out dinner, a smorgasbord of all my favorite foods, when I noticed the extra place setting at the table.
“Is there someone else coming to dinner?”
Daisy shared a look with Caleb, but nobody bothered to enlighten me. The sound of the doorbell interrupted.
“If it is any one of our family members, Caleb, I’m taking my food to go.”
My brother shook his head. “No, but I’m glad your mind went to worst-case scenarios. Now you might get less mad at me. Go answer the door.”
I walked slowly, trying not to get my hopes up. I hadn’t heard from him since the morning I’d sat in his car, and frankly, I hadn’t expected to. But of course, Lucas would be the type to come say goodbye.
When I opened the door, I had to suck in a breath at how gorgeous he looked wearing a short-sleeved, blue-and-white-checkered button-down paired with khaki shorts. In contrast, I was dressed in leggings, a T-shirt, and had my hair up in a ponytail. I hadn’t even put on makeup.
“Hi,” he whispered.
“Hi,” I whispered back, hardly able to find my voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Caleb told me about you leaving.”
Oh, now it made sense. He thought it was “safe” to engage with me now that I was only around for a limited time before traveling to Haiti for the next three months. Although I was disappointed, since the goal for me had been to end as friends, I smiled and moved aside. “Come on in.”
Although my heart threatened to beat out of my chest when he took the seat beside me at the dinner table, the atmosphere was casual and easy. It was Lucas’ superpower to put everyone around him at ease. As soon as I was finished eating, I practically jumped out of my chair with the excuse of cleaning up the kitchen. Anything to get away from him.
But Daisy wouldn’t hear of it. “Absolutely not. You’re the guest of honor. Why don’t you and Lucas run to the store to get dessert?”
“I don’t need dessert.” Aside from being stuffed, I did not need to be in an enclosed space with him right now.
“I’d love dessert.” Caleb either chose to ignore my panic or didn’t care.
My dirty looks fell on blind eyes. The two of them pretended it was perfectly normal for me to go off with Lucas.
I thought to glance down at my ensemble as I walked toward the foyer. “I, um, should go change first.”
“You are beautiful as you are. Come on.” Lucas opened the front door.
“Fine, but I need shoes.” I was turning to go fetch a pair from upstairs when he swept me up in his arms.
“Here, allow me.”
