Page 94 of Holiday Love
Together, we turn and walk slowly toward the exit door.
She continues, “I have several extra shifts that need to be filled this month. I figured you’d take them.”
She’s right. In the past, I would’ve jumped at the chance. I used to bury myself in work, convincing myself that productivity equaled purpose. It was a way to pass the time, to make myself feel good, like my worth was something I had to earn over and over again, but I don’t feel that need anymore. Not how I used to.
For the first time, I’m learning that the deepest validation doesn’t come from a title, a degree, or a badge. It comes from knowing who you are and choosing the life you want to lead. Teddy cares about me, flaws, awkwardness, and all. My mom needs me, and I want to be there for her while I still have the chance. My life is fuller now. Less perfect and more real.
I offer Dr. Reynolds a polite smile. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll pass. I’m glad to be back, but during my days off I have people who need me and who I need as well. I’m going to spend time with them.”
Chapter forty-two
Teddy
Rain is a steady drumbeat in the night. It falls in waves against the condo windows and slides down the glass door that leads to the balcony. It feels private, like the universe queued it up just for us, background music while I try, and fail, to coax Helen into bed.
She’s energetic. Restless. Still riding the high from being reinstated at the hospital earlier today. To celebrate, we went out to dinner with Jamie and Lindsey. Helen had argued that we shouldn’t go, that I needed to study, but I countered that every success in life deserved to be celebrated and her going back to the hospital was a huge win. Finally, she’d agreed, but only if I promised to study for another hour when we got back home.
The restaurant was a seafood joint down by the pier. With Christmas just five days away, the place was decked out for theholidays with twinkle lights strung around the fish tanks and garlands dangling from the ceiling beams. Even the fish statues on the wall were wearing fuzzy Santa hats.
Helen laughed at that, a sound I’d bottle if I could.
As the four of us ate dinner, Christmas songs played overhead and everyone talked at once. Even with the chatter, I couldn’t take my eyes off Helen. She looked alive again. Not weighed down by guilt or fear of losing her career. Not trapped in her head. Just Helen, sharp, witty, rolling her eyes at Jamie’s stories, snorting at Lindsey’s jokes, sipping her wine, and smiling the entire time.
We’re back home, in her bedroom, and instead of winding down she’s pacing like she’s had three espressos too many. She’s already reorganized the bookshelf, fluffed the pillows, and refolded the throw blankets. Now she’s across the room at her desk gathering supplies for me to study.
I’m propped against the headboard, sheets pooled around my waist, wearing only my boxers with my cast propped on a pillow. I watch her move swift and purposeful like she’s a storm of her own. She’s beautiful, focused, and much too far away from me.
“Helen,” I call out, my voice cutting through the patter of the rain. “Come to bed.”
She glances at me over her shoulder as she picks up pencils and a notepad. “We’re not going to sleep yet. You still need to study.”
“I can study tomorrow.” I pat the empty spot beside me. “Come cuddle with me.” I sing out like I’m a used car salesman, “Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don’t miss out.”
She bites back a smile and shuffles through papers on the desk. I groan dramatically, dragging a hand over my face. “Unbelievable. My doctor girlfriend gets reinstated and suddenly she’s too good for me.”
That makes her pause. “Girlfriend?” she repeats slowly, tilting her head like she’s testing the word.
“Yeah.” I stare directly into her eyes, daring her to argue. I’ve been wanting to call her that ever since the night with the mirror, but I waited until after her committee meeting. No need to pile on pressure while she was fighting for her career. “Unless you’re planning on firing me. In which case, I demand severance pay in kisses.” I fix her with a look and add, “with tongue.”
Chuckling, she crosses the room and climbs onto the bed. The storm outside pounds harder, a staccato beat, but in here, all I hear is her soft sigh as she settles against me. I have about one second to enjoy that sound before she slaps me in the chest with the thick ASVAB study guide.
“Ouch,” I say, rubbing the spot where paper met flesh.
“Sorry.” Helen places a small peck on my cheek. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” a long pause, then she tacks on a shy, whispered, “boyfriend.”
I think my face might actually split in two. That’s how big I smile.
“Mmm,” I hum, pulling her close. “More kisses would make it feel better.”
I try to pull her face up to me, but she giggles and ducks. “No time for that. You need to study.”
“There’s always time for kissing,” I argue back.
“Not when it leads to…” her cheeks tinging the prettiest shade of pink, “other things.”
“Other things areexactlywhat I had in mind.” I run my hand down her arm, then around to gently palm her breast. She’s in that white tank top, and the feeling of her nipple stiffening against the ribbed fabric is enough to make desire rise up in me, raging like the storm outside.
Undeterred, she shoves a stack of practice exams onto my chest, and I groan like she’s stabbed me. “Helen. You can’t bring homework into bed.”
