Page 22 of Egotistical Jerk
She blew away the few caramel strands flopping over her forehead and planted a hand on her hip.
"Mia! Come in!" Smiling, she stepped aside to allow me entry.
"Hey," I gave her a small wave as I took a step forward and then another and another until I was standing inside her very spacious living room.
There was a make-shift tea party set up on the coffee table standing in the middle of the black leather couches, and an array of stuffed animals littered the room.
"The girls were having a tea party before their dad decided it was time for a tickle fight."
She shook her head as if it was the most ridiculous thing on earth, but her eyes told me just how much moments like that meant to her.
And damn if I couldn't relate.
I might not have had a lot growing up, but what I never lacked was love. It didn't matter how busy my dad had been, he'd always made time for me. Always made sure I knew I was his number one girl.
"That's nice," I told her honestly.
She made a noise that managed to sound both dreamy and approving. When I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, it was easy to see how happy and at peace she was. Something heavy and unfamiliar settled right between my breasts. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought it felt a lot like loneliness.
Impossible.
Relationships weren't something that I wanted or had time for. Building my career and becoming the best damn doctor I could be were the only aspirations I had. And yet, listening to Bridget talk these past few weeks, and seeing the look on her face now, I had to wonder what it would be like to walk through the door after a long shift and not find the place dark and silent.
"You okay?" Bridget touched my arm, her brows dipping low.
With a smile, I pushed the stupid thoughts to the back of my mind where they belonged.
"Yeah, all of this," I circled the room with my index finger. "Reminds me of my own childhood."
She nodded as if she understood exactly what I meant, and I was happy when she didn't ask me to elaborate. Not that she would have gotten the chance anyway, because right then two little people barreled into the room in a blur of hair and pink dresses, closely followed by Dr. Hogue with his hands lifted to his face like claws and weird roaring sounds coming out of his mouth.
"No, Daddy!" The little girls yelled in unison, their voices strained with laughter. Before Dr. Hogue could tickle his daughters, Bridget cleared her throat and not-so-subtly jerked her head in my direction.
Flashing his teeth in a wide grin, Dr. Hogue straightened and dragged his fingers through his hair. Walking over, he draped an arm over his wife's shoulder and tugged her close. "Hey, Mia. I can call you Mia, right?" Before I could open my mouth, he spoke again. "Oh, and please, none of that Dr. Hogue business today."
"Look, it's Merida!" Squealed one of the girls.
My fingers went to my curls of their own accord. Thanks to the humidity, they were extra frizzy today.
Grinning at the two identical faces watching me with curiosity, I said, "I wish. She's way cooler than I am." My tone was exaggerated, and I added a tiny wink for good measure. "I'm Mia."
The girls looked at each other before giggling and disappearing down the hall. Simon kissed his wife, and after telling us he was going to freshen up, he too exited the living room.
"Eleanor and Elizabeth. Girly-girls, hellraisers, and lights of my life." Bridget rolled her eyes dramatically, the glow in them never dissipating.
"You have a son too, right?"
Bridget nodded. "Brendan. He's visiting a friend. When they're little you secretly pray to be left alone for a few minutes. The instant they hit puberty, though, you pray they'll give you a few minutes."
I didn't know what to say to that, so I just laughed, feeling like an idiot.
"Shoot," she suddenly exclaimed, slapping her palm against her forehead. "I have to go finish up in the kitchen. Ginny was supposed to bring dessert, but her grandma fell this morning and they're stuck at the ER dealing with a fractured ankle."
"Oh no! She'll be okay, though?"
Bridget laughed. "Heavens, yes. I'll bet my firstborn on the fact that Karen is driving everyone, including her granddaughter, up the wall as we speak." She took a step backward. "I'll just be a minute."
"Anything I can help with?" I might not have been the world's greatest cook, but I could read a recipe and follow instructions.
