Page 98 of Stay this Christmas
I grinned even though I tried to stop it. “We’re figuring things out.”
“He didn’t seem like he had all that many questions.”
Giddy happiness fizzed through me over how obvious he’d been. I might have had reservations at first, but Sam sure wasn’t trying to hide anything.
The waiter came back with a tray of enchiladas for me and a fat burrito smothered in cream for Callie. The smell of cumin and chipotle had my mouth watering before my plate ever touched the table.
“These burritos are what angels serve for dinner in Heaven,” she said after her first bite.
“Lupe’s gets all the stars.”
“So do your patients try to meddle in your love life, too, or is that just a thing my granny and her friends do?”
“Oh, no, they meddle. Getting fingers in everyone else’s lives is an Olympic sport over there.” Had to admit, though, this time around they’d done a pretty good job.
“Is it bad I’m kind of relieved you can relate?”
“I’m sure they’re not as invested as relatives would be, but they do their best to match me up. Even when the guy gives off verynot interestedvibes.”
She laughed. “That’s good, though, right? It shows how much they care about you. Or at least, that’s the way my granny and her friends justify getting their fingerprints all over my life.”
“They do care about me.” Even if I wasn’t supposed to blur the lines of professionalism, many of my patients cared a lot. Like Eliza always said, they doted on me over there.
Callie’s eyebrows tugged together. “Why do you sound sad about that?”
I sighed, dragging my fork through the enchilada sauce. “It’s wonderful they’re so invested, but it makes it that much harder if I ever think of leaving.”
Didn’t even like to say those words out loud, honestly.
“You want to leave your job?” she asked softly.
“No.” I didn’t. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t keep giving in to Olivia’s changing demands. The fear she wouldn’t back down and I’d end up losing my whole career in one fell swoop was the only thing keeping me from speaking up about the ridiculousness of her on-call scheme, or how unnecessary spoiling my Christmas break was.
“But…” Callie prompted, sounding exactly like June or Eden might.
“I don’t want to leave, but there are some…conditions…about the job I don’t love. But having so many people I’ve grown attached to there makes it harder to look at those issues logically.”
Among the people I would disappoint if I left—or was asked to leave—would be all of my patients I’d dedicated the last three years to. I would let them down if I rocked the boat. And I’d never been all that great at rocking boats.
“I totally understand. I cried for two days straight after my first Kindergarten class graduated to First Grade. I’d invested so much in them, it hurt to let them go. But I realized that’s what I’d signed up for—I’d teach them their basics and get them started in school, and then I had to see them off. But I’d do my best for every single one of them for as long as I had them. Maybe it’s kind of the same thing for you and your patients. You do the best for them while you’re there, but you’re not necessarily meant to stay with them forever.”
I sucked in a breath that she could clarify it so easily. I’d been so worried about letting my patients down if I stood up for myself with Olivia, I’d ignored just how much I helped them every day. Like she said, I did my best for them day in, day out—changing jobs tomorrow wouldn’t erase one minute of that.
“Or maybe I’m way off base,” Callie said with a little trill of nervous laughter.
“No, no, I was thinking you’re exactly right. I don’t want to leave my job, but if I ever did, I know I’ve given them the best I could while I was there.” It really was as simple as that. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You know, I’m really glad I ran into you at that honky tonk.”
“I’m really glad I didn’t break your toes.” She took another bite and held a hand in front of her mouth while she finished chewing. “Two days before Christmas, obligatory question: what are your plans for the holiday?”
“My parents are hosting a big family dinner party this year. My sisters and cousins and all their partners, my uncle, and my cousin’s kids, my grandma.” I counted them up in my head. “Eighteen of us, I think. And that’s not including in-laws who might join in.”
Pretty sure Booker’s parents had said they’d come. Ty’s brother, Bret, obviously had not been extended an invite, but I wasn’t sure about the rest.
“I love that. I’ve always wondered what a big family Christmas would be like. It was always just me, Mom, and Granny, and then later, just me and Granny.” She made a dismissive gesture, forking up another bite of burrito. “Me and Granny and her three friends now, I guess.”
