Page 40 of The Risks of Reuniting

I shake my head. "Not until the moment he saw me at the Atlanta airport on our way here. The universe threw us both a huge curveball."

"Wow," Dr. J whistles. "That's one heck of a plot twist."

"Yeah," I mumble.

"And he says he still loves you?" he asks.

I nod. "Yeah."

"Do you believe him?" he asks.

But before I have to answer, I'm saved once again by a patient. Two women come in the doorway, one crying and the other supporting her. Just like Dr. J said, today was going to be extra interesting.

Chapter 16

Chloe

ThatnightIeatmy dinner sitting on an overturned bucket outside our bunk doorway. The night is dark and pleasant. A little chilly now that the sun has set, but not uncomfortable. I can see Holt across the courtyard, but I don't think he's seen me. He's playing soccer in the dirt with two teen boys whose parents work as cooks for Lifting Hope. The boys are laughing and taunting Holt, who engages with them in the typical trash-talk of sports. At least that's what I assume is happening, because it's all in Spanish.

I watch him play and think about all the times I turned down adventures because I didn't have the money, or I was too new at my job to take time off, or I wanted to get a head start on repainting my new condo. So maybe I sometimes chose myself over him. It's not a comfortable thought.

Dr. J asked if I think he really still loves me. I lean my head back against the plaster wall and look up at the night sky where not one single star is peeking through the haze. If I'm honest, I can believe he still loves me, because I still care for him. I haven't gone on a single date since we broke up, nor have I wanted to. I wonder if it's been the same for him. And I wonder what to do with that knowledge, because losing him once nearly killed me, and I am definitely not interested in going through it again.

His laugh fills the air and I look back to where someone has scored a goal by kicking the ball into a tipped-over fruit box. It must have been one of the boys, because they both dance and cheer and point their fingers at Holt who is breathing hard with his hands on his hips. His smile is wide as he says something to them that has them diving toward him in a renewed struggle to win.

My phone chimes and I glance down, surprised. Someone in the universe must love me, because it's my cousin group chat and this is two days in a row that messages have come through. They're talking about how Grandma Sue keeps signing her texts with 'LOL :) Cordially, Grandma Sue'

Dani

Someone has to tell Grandma Sue that LOL does not mean Lots of Love!

Avery

Not it

Lucy

Not it

Poppy

Not it

Sadie

Not it

Dani

Guess it's you, Chloe. Good luck!

Hey, that's not fair. You all know I have sketchy service while I'm in Peru. I don't even know when this was sent.

Poppy

It was sent yesterday, but you're still it.

Also, did you guys see that Kaden posted about a girlfriend? I think she's probably AI.

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