Page 92 of Hello Doctor

“Nothing like that. They were at Sugar Rush.”

My chest ached. That was Regina and Maya’s place. One of the few things they had that was special to both of them. “Regina...”

“I like her,” Regina said. “Just tell her she doesn’t need to threaten me again.”

My eyebrows rose. That didn’t sound like Liv at all. “Threaten you? What the hell?”

There was a resigned smile in Regina’s voice. “She said I needed to start showing up for Maya more. Or she’d make me regret it.”

My heart turned liquid. Liv had stood up for my daughter to the most important woman in Maya’s life. Not to separate them further, but to repair what had become so broken.

“The thing is, I already regret the way I’ve behaved,” Regina said. “Seeing Maya today... for the first time, I didn’t see you. I saw our daughter.” Her voice broke, and she took in a shaky breath. “I miss her.”

“She’s misses you too,” I said.

Banging sounded on the front door, along with muffled shouts. Adrenaline started pumping through my veins. “Regina, I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

It was never a good sign for someone to be banging here. My mind covered every possibility from drug addict to a medical emergency. But when I made it to the front door, I saw Rhett yelling at me through the glass.

“I need to talk to you,” he bellowed.

I opened the door, stepping aside so he could come in, then shut and locked it behind him. “What the hell is going on?” I asked Rhett as he paced a hole in the waiting room floor.

“When were you going to tell me about you and Liv?” he demanded, still marching back and forth.

My breath caught. “Will you stand still for a second? You’re making me nervous,” I said.

He beat his chest. “I’mmakingyounervous? I’m the one waiting on a cancer diagnosis while you’re fooling around with my little sister!”

His words nearly took the air from my chest. “Liv and I wanted to talk to you together, but regarding your diagnosis, we’ll have information soon. We can’t make any big decisions until then.”

Now he seemed taken aback. “As far as I’m concerned, this is the only time to make big decisions. Don’t you want the clarity you get when you know you might have limited time?”

I shook my head. “I got that when my mom died. I’d do anything not to have known what was coming to me. To enjoy a day where she was just my mom and not a dying woman.”

He gave me a smile that had no joy. “Are you using cancer to keep me from kicking your ass?”

“Is it working?”

“No, I’m pissed.”

“Why?” I asked. “I know you have your reasons for thinking Liv can do better, but you know as well as I do that love doesn’t always follow logic.”

He let out a sigh then stopped on his path and looked at me. “You have to see it my way.”

“What’s your way, Rhett? Because honestly, I’m starting to feel hurt. I know we don’t talk about our feelings much, but you’re my best friend. After everything we’ve been through, all the ways you’ve seen me change in the last eight years, do you really think I wouldn’t do everything I could to keep your sister happy?”

“It’s not that.” He sat in the chair, not meeting my eyes.

“What is it?” I asked, sitting across from him and resting my elbows on my knees.

“It’s Maya.”

“Liv’s great for Maya,” I said, flattered that he worried so much about my daughter to care for her happiness. “And Liv and I already agreed; if something happens between us, Maya will still take priority.”

“That’s the problem,” Rhett said.

My eyebrows drew together. “You’re calling Maya a problem.”

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