Page 129 of The Choices I've Made
“Just be glad it’s not you.”
“I’d kill her. Or vice versa. Anyway, have a nice weekend, and don’t forget the barbecue at my house on Sunday. Bring your husband and kids.”
“Absolutely. Can we make anything?” she asked, grabbing her purse to head out with me.
“Nope. I’ve got it this time.”
We said our good-byes as I locked up. Looking up at the sign that proudly displayed my name,Jameson Family Practice, I tried to come up with something to say tonight to the group of medical students I’d be talking with.
How would I inspire them to keep going?
To stay motivated?
When I had been in medical school, I had been a beast. I’d just kept going because I didn’t know any other way. Studying had been my form of crack. It’d kept me from dealing with all the shit that had happened in my life, stuff I spent years desperately trying to ignore.
Hopping into my car, I drove the short distance to the restaurant. Makayla had rented out the entire back, using money she’d talked out of me. But I was more than willing to help. This gave the students a chance to get out of their apartments and dorms and away from the city.
I still remembered the first time I’d actually driven into the suburbs of Chicago. It had been like stepping into another world. As much as I still loved the hustle and bustle of the city, it was sometimes nice to slow down and enjoy something a little more chill.
And that was exactly what these stressed out medical students needed—chill.
So, Makayla had picked a casual place with fresh food and drinks. People could eat and drink as I talked, and afterward, it would be the perfect atmosphere for socializing.
As soon as I walked in, I knew she’d nailed it. If we’d settled on something like a classroom or meeting room of a library, it would have only upped their stress level.
Waving hands immediately caught my attention.
“You’re early!” Makayla nearly screeched, pulling me into a giant hug. Dressed in casual jeans and a college sweatshirt, she looked nothing like the sexpot I’d sat next to in first class.
But then again, neither did I.
“Where’s Mara?” I asked, looking around for her other half.
“At home with the dog. She’s still potty-training, and if we leave the little shit alone for more than a few hours, it’s like hell on earth when we get home.”
“Gross,” I replied.
“You have no idea, but I figure it’s good training for a baby, so…” She shrugged.
“Baby?” I asked. “Are you talking kids already?”
She shook her head as she searched the crowd for others. “No, not yet. But someday. Maybe when I finish med school. All I know is, I want them.”
I smiled warmly in her direction. “You’ll make great moms.”
“Yeah?” she asked. “I think so, too.”
“Can I be the godfather?”
“What?” She laughed, hitting me on the arm. “You can’t just ask to be the godfather.”
“Why not? If it wasn’t for me, you two wouldn’t even be together.”
She looked at me, stunned. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“I’m not,” I deadpanned. “If I’d given in to your wild advances that day on the plane, you would have fallen so deeply in love with me, there would have been no room for Mara. You’d have been totally smitten.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.”
