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I gently shook my head and watched the kids playing as the sun started going down.
“Oh my God, I knew it! You’re still smitten!” Onyx shouted.
“What? No I’m not!”Why was my voice so squeaky?
D couldn’t stop laughing.
“I amnot! I don’t know why you’re laughing like that.”
“I know you, cuz. You can keep that tone and your poker face, but those shoulders give you away every time.”
Willing my shoulders to loosen, I shrugged. “There’s nothing to give away. I’m sure it’ll fizzle out soon and we can all get on with our lives.”
“Yeah, once you jump his bones.”
Onyx didn’t even try to cover her laugh, so I shot her a look. I kept watching the kids play as Onyx and D picked up a different conversation finally. Once the lightning bugs started popping up every few seconds, D stood and stretched.
“Kids, let’s go get Granny and Paw and get home.”
Onyx stood and reached her hand out to me. I took it and she pulled me from my chair. We had been there for hours. I walked in to say our goodbyes to Uncle Len and Aunt Belle then Onyx and I tidied up the kitchen while Mom and Dad saw them out.
“Girls, leave that. I’ll get it in the morning,” Mom said as she came back to the kitchen.
“It’s done now, and Dad would get onto us if we left it.” Onyx chuckled but she knew I was right. “Thanks for dinner guys. But I need to get home and try to get some rest.” I hugged Mom and she pulled me close.
“Honey, we are so proud of you. I justknowyou will be wonderful.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m excited.”
She patted my cheek. “And do be kind to Mike. It must be strange coming back after all this time and so many of your friends have moved away, at least outside of our little town.”
“You’re right. It’s just strange seeing him after all this time. But it’s been a long time so I can get over all that.”
Her brow furrowed. “Over what, honey? What happened?”
I shook my head and smiled. Grabbing her wrist, I squeezed lightly. “Nothing, just young love and breakups, ya know.”
She nodded as her lips thinned. She clearly wanted to say something else but didn’t. Instead, she pulled me in for another embrace then let me go as I turned to walk to the front door.
Onyx and I said our goodbyes to Dad, and she hugged Mom before we finally made our way to the car. The ride home was quiet, and I stared out the window replaying the weekend and all the times I lied.
And how it felt to be in his arms again.
Chapter 8
Mike
After donning my new grey scrubs, the color for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants at my new place of employment, I grabbed my lunch bag, coffee, and wallet then headed for the door. It was still dark since it was only half past six, but when I opened the door, the muggy heat smacked me in the face. It was going to take a while to get used to this heat again after being in Northern Cali so long.
My door had just clicked shut when I heard a door upstairs do the same. Keys clinked together then a pair of long legs with dark blue scrub pants descended down the stairs, causing my breath to hitch. I didn’t want to startle her, so I spoke up. “Good morning,” I said as she took the last step down.
Wide brown eyes shot over to me, but the look quickly melted into a pleasant smile. “Good morning. First day for us both, it appears.”
I waved her ahead of me and then started toward my car. She walked to hers and turned with a tight smile and nod as she climbed in. I waved and nodded before getting into my own. Once inside with the door shut, I blew out a huge breath through puffed cheeks.
On the drive to the hospital, I sipped my coffee and thought about the last few days and this morning. Maybe she was warming up. Or maybe she was trying to make the best of an awkward situation. The first night was definitely not as I expected, but Saturday she seemed to loosen up, at least a little. If you call finally being able to look me in the eye loose.
Confused and unable to process anything, I took one last sip of my coffee as I pulled into a parking spot. Looking around the lot, I didn’t see Jaz and I wasn’t sure if I was happy or sad about that. Reminding myself I had to focus at work, I shrugged off the thought and went inside. I had to find the human resources department before I could do anything, and my understanding was I would be in orientation for the day before I shadowed someone.
