AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hear him laugh. “I can’t just call my son to say hello?”
I smile. “Of course, you can. How are you?”
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling.” Oh no. I hope he’s not sick. “Brody, I met someone.”
What a relief. “That’s great, Dad.” He’s on and off dated since Mom died. I’ve met a few of them. There’s never been anyone too serious though.
“We’re getting married in a few weeks. Do you think you can come out here for the wedding?” What? “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
I think I need to sit down. “Wow, Dad. This is kind of shocking. Give me a second here to digest.”
He laughs. “Take your time. I understand.”
“I’m certainly happy for you. This just kind of came out of nowhere. I’ve never heard about her.”
“Her name is Melanie. She’s amazing. I don’t know how to explain it to someone who’s never been in love. When the right person comes into your life, you just know it. You can’t think of anyone but them. They consume your every thought. You can’t even see other women anymore.” I get it more than he knows.
“That’s great, Dad. You’re a lucky man. Why don’t you text me all the details. Of course, I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Fantastic. I wasn’t sure you could get the time off. You haven’t even been at that hospital for a year yet.”
“I’m considering a highly specialized fellowship overseas. I may not be here much longer. I’m not sure that Philly is the right place for me.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you were struggling.”
“I’m not struggling.” That’s a lie. “I might just need some different scenery. Frankly, this is a hard opportunity to pass up.”
“Okay. We can discuss it more when you visit. I’ll text you all the details. I can’t wait to see you, and I can’t wait for you to meet Melanie.”
“If you love her, I’m sure I will too.”
We say our goodbyes and he texts me the information. It’s in three weeks. I think I know what I need to do.
* * *
It’sthe last day of classes for the school year. I texted Harley before class and asked her to meet me in my office at the end of the day.
At precisely 3:00, she walks in the door to my office. My heart genuinely skips a beat when I see her. I can feel it. Her delicious scent immediately takes over the room. Every ounce of me is drawn to her. I won’t ever be okay unless I’m far away from her.
She closes the door without having to be asked. She sits down in the chair in front of my desk. “Hey, Dr. Cooper. You wanted to see me?”
“Harley, I’m not your professor anymore. Please call me Brody.”
She shakes her head. “You’re still a professor at this school.”
“That’s what I want to talk to you about.” I take a deep breath. “I want to confirm one final time, that if I were to resign from the medical school, you still wouldn’t consider dating me?”
She looks pained. Nearly as pained as I do.
“Brody, I need you to understand me. I need you toreallyhear me because I’m being one-hundred percent honest with you. I want to be with you. I’m insanely attracted to you. Obviously to the point of losing control at times. It’s a struggle every damn day not to be with you.”
She pauses as she swallows hard. “But I’ve spent every day of my twenty-four years working toward the goal of becoming a surgeon. If I become the whore that slept with her professor, it will have all been for nothing. I can’t do that to my family. I can’t do it to myself.”
She looks at me with tears brewing in her big, beautiful eyes. “I wish things were different, but they’re not.”
I nod. I genuinely think I would feel better if she said she wasn’t attracted to me. That would make this easier. The fact that I want her, and she wants me, yet we can’t be together, is enough to make my head explode.
“Okay. I understand and respect your decision. I don’t agree with it, but I’ll respect your wishes.”
