Page 39 of More Than a Match

“Love you!”

“Love you too.”

I hang up with Katie and allow my mind to run back over the events of last night. Maybe she was right, maybe I was just letting my imagination run away with me. All I know is that this is likely going to be one of those forever-unsolved mysteries, and it was going to bug me for the rest of time.

My shifts at the hospital seem to drag on these days, the same shit day after day. My comfort lies in knowing that when I get off work, Alex will be waiting for me. Knowing I have him in my life as a rock is a relief.

It has been more than a month since that first dinner with my family, and it has become a tradition to have a meal all together once a week. He really feels like part of the family now, and I’m pretty sure my mother is just as enamored with him as I am.

He is always the perfect guest; offering to help prepare and clean up, bringing wit, flattery, and charm to every conversation, and proving over and over to my family that I am his beloved and best friend. Things couldn’t be better.

I practically float down the hallway, moving on auto-pilot from one task to another, simply waiting out the time till I can be back in his arms. My bliss is broken by Katie, who barrels around the corner at full speed, almost knocking me over.

“Oh my god, Mina, I’m glad I found you!”

“Girl, where are you going in such a rush?”

“Looking for you!” Katie pants, catching her breath. “Your mother is here.”

My blood turns to ice in my veins. “What? Why didn’t you just call me?”

“Oh, I guess I didn’t think about that.”

“Jesus. She’s really here? What for?”

“Yeah, I saw her at the front desk asking about you, and I heard her mention Alex.”

“Oh my god. Oh no, this is bad.”

“Yeah, no shit. Doesn’t she think he’s some kind of hot-shot doctor here?”

“Yes,” I groan. “We have to get her out of here before she can ask too many questions.”

“I’ll track her down and distract her, you warn Alex to lay low.”

“Will do. Thanks, by the way.”

“Of course! I know you’d do the same thing for me.”

Katie turns and hustles back the way she came, and I pull out my phone. Alex answers on the second ring.

“Hey babe, what’s up?”

“Are you still at work?”

“Yeah, did you need something?”

“My mom’s here, and she’s looking for us.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah. I need you to lay low or even get out of here if you can.”

“My shift is almost over for the day. I can definitely dip shortly. I’ll tell them my stomach is feeling funny.”

“I hate to make you run but—”

“I get it. Don’t worry. Today isn’t the day everything ends.”

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