Page 56 of Rival Hearts

“Bye,” Josephine said.

“Bye Josephine,” Jett said and Josephine whipped her head around to look at Jett.

“And how long have you been awake?” Josephine asked.

“Not long,” Jett said. “I just woke up.”

“Okay,” Josephine said with a shake of her head and roll of her eyes. She walked over to Jett’s bed and leaned down to give her a hug.

“Sorry I couldn’t stay long, but I’ve got a hospital to run. I’ll make sure to see you tomorrow before you get released,” Josephine said. “Make sure all the paperwork is properly done and all that.”

“Thanks,” Jett said with a smile and hugged Josephine back before she left.

She looked at Riley, who stuck her tongue out at Jett in a teasing manner. “You eavesdropper,” Riley said with a laugh.

“Yeah, yeah,” Jett said. “Aren’t you going to give me a hug?”

Riley looked shocked. “Yeah, of course.”.

“You know, I think you’re the only one who hasn’t given me a hug yet,” Jett said.

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” Riley said. “I’m worried that if I give you a hug I’ll be so excited that I’ll squeeze too hard.”

“Well I’m a lot better now,” Jett said, “so you’re welcome to squeeze as hard as you want.”

“If I did that, your eyes would probably pop out of your head,” Riley said.

Jett laughed as she looked at Riley’s strong tattooed arms as though to assess her strength. “Okay, maybe hold back a little, then.”

“I will,” Riley promised, and she gave Jett a hug. She wasn’t as gentle as everyone else had been, but she was definitely holding back and Jett appreciated that. Jett wanted to lose herself in Riley’s arms forever.

Jett then sighed after Riley pulled away. “I can’t believe I still have one more day,” Jett said.

“Well, It’s actually only about sixteen hours now,” Riley said. “It’s already five o’clock and your doctor came in the room while you were sleeping and said they are going to try and have your discharge papers ready for you by eight, nine at the latest.”

Jett threw her head back against the hospital pillow and let out a groan of relief. “Thank God,” she said.

“I think the doctors definitely know how impatient you are right now,” Riley said.

“Good,” Jett said. “They should.”

Riley laughed and it was the most beautiful sound in the world.

“Stay with me, while I’m recovering?” Jett asked and Riley squeezed her hand and smiled, her green eyes shining.

“There is nowhere I would rather be.”

15

RILEY

Riley was watching TV at home while crocheting some more socks. Jett was supposed to home in about another hour, so Riley was just trying to relax and pass the time while she waited for her girlfriend. It still made her giddy, being able to call Jett her girlfriend.

It didn’t feel real, dating Jett, and half of the time Riley felt like she was going to wake up and realize everything had been a dream, but it wasn’t. Riley smiled to herself as she watched her show. It was another shitty medical drama. Riley wasn’t sure why she was so addicted to those things, but she loved them.

Riley thought about Jett and all that she’d learned since meeting her. She’d grown so much as a person, even in aspects of her life that didn’t involve her relationship. From her first interactions with Jett, she had learned how to be a better doctor. She had always been a good doctor, but sometimes she had a tendency to rush into things.

She’d always had a desire to be a medical pioneer and sometimes that led to her overlooking tried and true techniques for something more bold. Jett’s interactions with her in the workplace led to her having a more balanced practice. Riley was still always trying to find the best way to help her patients, but she had come to realize the best way was not always some experimental technique.

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