Page 76 of Meant to Be
He nodded but hoped she wasn’t about to launch into a discussion about their past. He’d had enough of opening old wounds for one day.
“Your accent is more pronounced now than I remember.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “When in Rome.” His words dripped with southern drawl.
“That’s true. I actually said ‘y’all’ the other day.”
“Uh-oh. That’s the gateway word to full southern speaking.”
She laughed. “I do enjoy listening to it. There are some wonderful turns of phrases in the south.”
“I suspect much of life here is different than in New York.” He’d spent some time in New York, usually with her, when he was in college. The city was vibrant and bright. A fun place to visit, but he wasn’t sure he’d be able to live there. Did Sydney think Charlotte Tavern was boring, too quiet?
“Yes. I miss the amazing variety of food and cultural events, but I like the slowness here. The friendliness.”
“I bet you can’t find macs and cheese like this in New York.” He scooped up the creamy pasta.
“Not that I’ve found.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes until Mitch broke it. “Why did you go to Jordan?”
Her eyes widened in surprise. He supposed his question was out of the blue. He wasn’t even sure why he asked it, except the Sydney he’d known in college wouldn’t have done something that was so risky and out of her sphere of experience.
“I went because I wanted to help people who might not otherwise get help.” She paused and looked at him. “I wanted to do that because of you.”
“Me?” He sat back. He remembered dragging her out to a few volunteer activities, usually to a homeless shelter, because, despite her small world, she was curious about how she could help. But he didn’t remember ever encouraging her to go abroad. In fact, he’d planned to marry her and keep her as close as possible.
“It’s no secret I lived a sheltered, planned life. I was aware there were problems in the world, but they were so distant from me. You helped me make the connection. While my family donated money to help homeless people, you volunteered your time at a soup kitchen. You took me to one when we were at Princeton. Remember?”
He nodded, ridiculously pleased she’d remembered.
“And then you were compelled to enlist. To serve your country. I wanted to help too. Not by enlisting, but by helping the many people, women in particular, who need healthcare. In fact, I don’t know if you remember, but originally, I planned to become a dermatologist. I chose obstetrics and gynecology to help women.”
He’d done that? He’d never considered the impact he’d had on her life. If he’d had any sway over her decisions, why had she let her parents talk her out of marrying him?
“It’s one reason why I’m here. The free clinic helps so many poor, rural women. And they need it. There are still a lot of old wives’ tales where birth control is concerned.”
“Is that what happened with Hank’s daughter?”
“Well, I can’t discuss her situation specifically. But teens aren’t the only ones who are misinformed about reproduction.”
“I suppose. Passion has a way of fogging the brain.”
He and Sydney had let passion get the best of them once in college. Fortunately, the timing had been wrong, and she went on the pill right after that. But he’d been slightly disappointed she hadn’t gotten pregnant. That was when he was certain he loved her and wanted to spend his life with her. He proposed a few months later on her twenty-first birthday.
As desperate and needy as he’d been tonight, he hadn’t forgotten to use condoms, although, he was annoyed at the delay getting them and putting them on caused.
“Are you on the pill?”
She stared at him for a long moment, and he got the feeling he’d asked the wrong question. “Yes, but considering your lifestyle—”
“Jesus.” He tossed his bunched-up paper towel square on the table. “I’m not infected. I’m not even as active as my reputation would suggest.”
She flinched at his outburst and then sighed, wiping her mouth and folding her makeshift napkin. “Mitch, I’m a doctor who specializes in reproductive health for women. That means I know a lot about sex and the health risks that go with it. Did you know STDs are on the rise? It doesn’t matter if you’ve been with one woman or a hundred. I’m not going to apologize for wanting to protect myself. Have you always used a condom?”
“Yes.” And it was the truth. He’d never had sex with a stranger, so his concerns had been more about avoiding an unplanned pregnancy. He’d used condoms even with the women who said they were on the pill. Just to be safe. So why was he so mad now? God. He was losing his mind.
“Then clearly you know what I’m talking about.”
