Page 14 of Dr. Do-Right
Mal’s palms scraped down his face. “That’s the fucking thing. He had to come with me. I’m leaving straight from here to go to the airport.”
“What?” I sucked in a breath, blew it out. Malachi was a Big Deal. I knew that. The people around us had already started nudging each other and looking over at our table. But most of the time, when it was just us, or hanging out at a party like last night, I only saw him as mine. My Malachi.
It was easy to forget, when we were laughing like morons over a Rick and Morty episode, that he was a serious entrepreneur worth millions and millions of dollars. When work stuff did pop up, I tried to be understanding. I worked in an intense job, too. Things happened.
But tonight…I’d thought this discussion with Sonia was a priority for him. I’d thought us clearing the air and then actuallybeing togetherwas a big deal. I knew, logically, that a relationship with me was small fries compared with his multi-million dollar enterprise, but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“I know, Kitten, I,fuck, I’m sorry.” He reached out again, this time closing his fingers around mine. “You are important to me. More important than work. I wouldn’t be here right now if that wasn’t true. There’s just…a fire I can’t put out long-distance.”
My heart fluttered at the feel of his hand on mine. “I understand.” I glanced down at where Siggy had settled into my lap.
Mal’s grip tightened. “Look at me, Rija. It’s important to me that you know you’re my priority. Always. If I had any other option, I’d park my ass on your couch for the next month.”
I met his eyes. He looked concerned. Underneath that, a little crazed, which wasn’t his usual style. “I believe you. Mal, what happened—”
“Whoa, you two look serious. Need me to leave?” Sonia set the bowl down by my feet and plopped into her chair.
Mal sat back as well, releasing my hand. My fingers felt cold, even when I buried them in Siggy’s fur. He sighed. “Ihave to leave, Sonnie.”
Her head whipped around from where she’d been air kissing the dog’s nose. “Leave? I thought you were here for a while?”
“Yeah, that was the original plan.” He raked fingers through his hair. It looked like he’d done that multiple times today. “Very crappy thing back in Colorado. Somehow coinciding with contracting issues in Chicago. Real shit storm.”
“But you’ll be back in town for the gala next week, right?” Sonia pressed, her brow furrowed. She leaned into the table like his answer was critical.
“The gala where I’m the keynote speaker? Yes, I’ll be back for that,” he drawled. “That’s move-in day, anyway.”
Sonia relaxed back into her chair. “I can’t believe you set all this up behind our backs. Sneaky brother.”
“I like a good surprise.” He stole a sip from my sangria, grimacing when he realized it didn’t have any wine in it.
Sonia snorted. “Yeah, but you can’t keep a secret for shit.”
His eyes flashed to mine. Was it time? Did this feel like too soon? Too rushed? When did he need to leave? He nodded, giving me the encouragement I needed, steeling me. Siggy grumbled and jumped down as I sat forward. “Listen, Sonnie. There’s something—”
“I can’t keep a secret either, though! I’m going to New York tomorrow.” A smug smile tilted her lips.
“—we have… New York?” My carefully thought-out confession died on my lips.
Sonia bounced in her seat. “Yes! I just took a last-minute contract over there. My friend Shaina is going for a few months and said they needed another nurse, so, Big Apple, here I come!”
“Tomorrow?” Mal sounded as shocked as I felt.
Sonia was a travel nurse, which meant she took jobs and contracts with hospitals all over the city. Demand for nurses was high, and it meant she could jump around from place to place without being tied down. She enjoyed the freedom it gave her, not to mention the sizable paychecks.
But Sonia hadn’t taken a gig outside of Chicago in years. Not since her first few months out of nursing school.
“I’m a free spirit, Ri, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy sleeping in temporary housing,”she’d informed me, shuddering.
“I didn’t know you were looking for a job outside of the city.” She was between contracts right now, and I knew she’d been shopping around for her next gig for a few weeks. She could afford to be picky, and this seemed…sudden.
Sonia topped off her glass from the pitcher, shaking her head like I was the crazy one. “No, silly. Nothing like that. I know it’s last minute, but Shaina and I just happened to hook up today for lunch and she mentioned it. It’s only a few weeks. Eight, tops. It’ll be good to get out. Shake things up a little.”
“Two months? I’m moving in next week.” The tic in Malachi’s jaw told me this was one more piece of unexpected news on top of an already overwhelming day. I wanted to stroke his leg, still the bouncing he’d started without realizing it.
“You’ll have some time to acclimate to the city while I’m not here. It’ll be good for you.” She beamed at us. “Rija will be here to show you around!”
Heat flooded my face, body flashing hot when I thought about spending weeks and weeks with Malachi without having to tiptoe around Sonia. It would be…incredible. So freeing and nice and we could sleep in the same bed and…
