Page 5 of The Heart Shot
I groaned again, coming to a stop when I finally made it out of the bras…and entered the section of men’s underwear. I snorted at my terrible luck, and Maya sniggered. I turned to glower at her, but the pleading in her eyes stopped me cold. Why couldn’t I simply sayno?
Worse, why did my heart want me to sayyes?
What was happening to me? I was content to be alone and single. It kept me safe.
But still…
Would it really be so bad?
After all, it was only a photoshoot.
With a stranger.
There would be no flirting, or falling in love, or any danger to my heart. It was simply some pictures with a guy.
What could go wrong?
I dropped my head back and sighed. “Fine, Maya. But no kissing.”
Jameson
Iclosed the door to my office as the last patient of the day exited the clinic, my entire body shaking with fatigue after the longest day of work ever. How I spent the last year working twelve-hour shifts six days a week, I wasn’t sure.
Thankfully, today was my last day atthisclinic.
I threw the last of my personal items into the box on the desk, then wiped down the table with an antiseptic solution. I didn’t even bother looking back as I turned off the light and left the claustrophobic room that had been my life for the past year.
I tried my best to be optimistic in all things because why would anyonechooseto be a negative Nancy? Life was hard enough without adding pessimism into the mix. Even though change was always challenging, I was determined to make the most of this. I was ready for bigger and better things.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I fished it out, climbing into the cab of my truck. My sister’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hey, Emma.”
“Jamie! How’s my big brother?”
“The better question is how is my little sister at her fancy college?” I expertly dodged the question. There was a five-year gap between us, but we had always been close, and watching our mom fight for her life had brought us even closer. Still, it was hard to admit to her that things hadn’t been great. She didn’t needmystress added to hers.
Emma laughed. “I don’t think I’d consider Iowa State to befancy.”
“Anything is fancy compared to Meridel Community College.”
“No argument there.”
Emma’s bright laugh eased the ache in my heart ever so slightly. That was one thing we had in common, despite all we had been through. We were great at keeping a good attitude and staying optimistic. Yet another reason why I didn’t want to bring her down with how I was really feeling.
Emma had spent three years taking classes at the local college, but with Mom finally doing better, she decided to finish her bachelor’s at a school that offered the degree she wanted.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?” I asked, needing to shake those thoughts from my head.
“Oh, I just wanted to hear your voice. It’s weird not having you and Mom close by at all hours. I miss you guys.” And just like that, the ache was back. “Have you been up to anything fun lately?”
I snorted. “You know all I do is work.”
“Maya mentioned that you’re starting at a new clinic. That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yeah,” I said, letting out a long breath. “Today was my last day at the old one. I’m ready to put twelve-hour days behind me.”
“Yeah,” she echoed, something strange creeping into her voice. “And now you’ll have more time for things like dating.”
