Page 44 of Just One Kiss

But he didn’t have a good dad.

The words shot through her mind like a missile and landed squarely in the spot of her brain reserved for common sense. She took a step back. “I should go.”

He nodded. “You look beautiful.”

David had told her she looked “really great.” It hadn’t sent a shiver down her spine. Why was she shivering now?

She didn’t respond—she couldn’t. Instead, she ducked past him into the ladies’ restroom, where she begged her heart to stop racing.

What was happening to her? This was ludicrous—letting herself get worked up overJosh.

Get it together, Carly. You’re on a date with a perfectly nice man. He’s a really good guy. You’re having a good time. Okay, a good-ish time. Your alternative is a pajama/Netflix/Ben & Jerry’s night, so knock it off and give this guy a chance. You owe it to yourself.

Josh already had his chance.

12

“We have the results from Jaden’s testing.”

Carly and Josh perched on the edges of two chairs next to the exam table where Jaden sat. Dr. Willette (not David at the moment) rested on the rolling stool that fit nicely under the desk.

She decided she would much rather be on the rolling stool than in this hot seat. She would much rather be the one collecting information, not giving it. And she would much rather be out of the room when bad news was delivered.

But now, bad news was being delivered to her. She could tell by Dr. Willette’s furrowed brow.

“What is it?” Josh asked.

“We believe Jaden has something called Long QT Syndrome,” he said. “It’s a genetic disorder affecting the heart.”

Her mind searched her mental archives for any recollection of this disease. She found none. Hadn’t they taught her anything in nursing school? Where was her knowledge when she needed it?

“That sounds bad,” Jaden said.

She resisted the urge to rush to her son’s side and pull him into a tight hug.

Jaden had his phone out. Was he texting? Now?

“So it’s a heart rhythm condition.” He glanced up from his phone. Not texting. Googling. She wished he’d been texting.

“Jaden, what have I told you about Dr. Google?” Carly said.

“Can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats, which can trigger fainting or seizure.” He mumbled through the rest of the sentence, then added, “Can cause sudden death.”

“Death?” Josh grabbed the phone from their son.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Dr. Willette said.

Carly’s head spun. Long QT syndrome—a genetic heart condition. Had he gotten this from her? From Josh? Neither of them had any trouble with their hearts.

“This is very treatable,” the doctor said.

Josh clicked Jaden’s phone off. “What’s the treatment?” He shifted and their knees touched. She moved away.

He glanced at her, but she kept her eyes on the doctor.

Her only focus was to figure out how to make sure their son had the best possible care. Josh’s feelings were secondary.

“There are a few different options, but the one I’d like to discuss is an implantable defibrillator,” Dr. Willette said. “I’ve asked one of my colleagues, Dr. Roby, to join us this morning to explain it a little better. This is more in his wheelhouse.”

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