Page 22 of Rival Hearts

Riley looked at her with an expression of shock and, really? “Well,” Riley said, “what do you want to know?”

“Everything,” Jett said. “I know you grew up in foster care and that you didn’t know your parents. That your coolest foster mom was a marine biologist, that you’re an incredible surgeon, sexy as hell, and I think really sweet and caring under a tough exterior. But I want to know more about you, Riley. Starting with whether or not you have any pets, any hobbies, unrealized dreams, just whatever.”

Riley paused for a moment, a little stunned, and nodded. “I don’t have any pets,” she said, “but when I was a kid, I was convinced that I was going to be a lonely old cat lady with twenty cats. But I work too much to really even have one. I don’t really have time for hobbies anymore, but to relax I’ll watch TV and crochet socks.”

That last bit was definitely not what Jett was expecting. “Really?” she asked. “Do you have any pictures of your socks?”

“No,” Riley said, “but I’m wearing a pair.” She pulled up her pant leg and sure enough, she revealed a baby pink and blue striped sock that was very obviously handmade.

“Wow,” Jett said, “that’s kind of impressive. Are they comfortable?”

“Yeah,” Riley said, “that’s actually why I make my own socks. The store-bought ones are too thin and uncomfortable.”

“That’s cool as hell,” Jett said.

“Thanks,” Riley said, “but what about you? I want to learn about you, too.”

“Okay,” Jett said with a smile, “I don’t have any pets, but I did have a dog from the time I was a kid until a couple of years ago. His name was James and he was the best boy on the planet. I also can’t really think of hobbies unless you count cooking and baking, but those are basic survival skills.”

Riley smiled. “You like to cook?”

“I love it,” Jett said, “and I also love baking. I have a major sweet tooth, so it works out well.”

“I actually hate cooking,” Riley said, “and I’m pretty bad at it, too.”

“Really?” Jett asked. “How come?”

“I was never really taught how. When I aged out of foster care, there were a lot of things that I didn’t know how to do, that I had to learn how to do, and am still really bad at,” Riley said. “I’m that way with laundry, too. I did finally figure out how to use a washer and dryer, but not before breaking one when I went off to college.”

Jett winced. “Damn,” she said, “that’s rough. I guess I’ve kind of always taken my upbringing for granted. My mom was really good at teaching me and my brother how to clean, cook, and take care of ourselves.”

“I didn’t know you have a brother,” Riley said.

“Oh, yeah,” Jett said, wondering how she could have forgotten to bring him up. “His name is Brody, and he’s actually going to make me an aunt soon with his wife, Hannah.”

Riley smiled, a sad kind of smile. A smile of longing. “That’s amazing.”

Jett didn’t want to be insensitive, but she wanted to ask. “I don’t suppose you have any siblings?”

“According to what little records I could find, I do, but I’ve never met them,” Riley said.

“I’m sorry,” Jett said.

“It’s okay,” Riley said.

There was an awkward pause, and Jett decided to change the subject again. “So, what made you become a trauma surgeon?”

Riley smiled. “Well, when I was a kid, I was always really good at school, and my third-grade teacher, the best teacher I ever had, once told me I was smart enough to become a doctor. And so little me decided that’s what I wanted to do. And when I was looking into medical school I had no clue what I wanted to do, but I heard someone say that a surgeon is one of the hardest professions, and I always did like a challenge.” Riley laughed.

“But when I was in residency, I really fell in love with it, and one of my mentors was a trauma surgeon, and just generally one of the best doctors on the planet. She was brilliant and kind, and she actually asked me to train to be a trauma surgeon under her, and I said yes,” Riley finished.

“Wow,” Jett said, “so it sounds like you got to where you are due to some really good teachers.”

“Oh, absolutely,” Riley said. “When I retire I was thinking I might want to be a teacher or something.”

Jett nodded. “That’s really sweet. I think you’d make a good teacher.”

Riley gave a sweet smile and nod and looked at Jett. “So what about you?” she asked. “What caused you to be a firefighter paramedic?”

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