Page 95 of Sharkbait
“I already am,” I say.
This time, I’m the one whose body stills.
It just slipped out.
I didn’t plan it.
But there’s no way I can regret it.
I wouldn’t deny my daughter for anything in the world. Truth be told, I want to talk about Iris every second of every day to whoever will listen to me. But every time I’ve tried to find a way to tell Louise about her, it gets hammered home that that will be the end of us. Realistically, I know there is a built-in end date to whatever this thing is between us. We’re down to eleven weeks until I’m gone. But is it so terrible that I want it to last as long as possible while I’m still here?
It is. It is terrible. That kid is my heart and soul. Without knowing Iris, Louise doesn’t truly know me. And what’s that saying...? “A lie of omission is still a lie?”
Without meaning to, I’ve been lying to her all this time.
I close my eyes and brace myself for what comes next, sad but relieved that the truth is finally out.
Louise is so still and quiet.
“Louise?”
Nothing.
“Louise, did you hear what I said?” I stroke her hair. “I have a six-year-old daughter. Her name is Iris, and I love her very much. When I said I’m moving to Hawaii to start my new business, that was only partly the truth. The main reason I’m going is to be with my daughter because I can’t stand being apart from her anymore.”
The only response is a loud snore that rumbles directly into my ear.
Well. So much for pouring my heart out to the girl.
It’s at that moment that Alec walks back in and finds us holding each other and swaying in the middle of the room.
“Is this a new kink your generation is embracing? Getting cozy in surgical suites? Should I prepare myself for more of this?” he asks with a laugh.
“Nope!” I say. “No kink. As soon as you give us the all clear, we’ll get out of your hair. You’ve gone above and beyond for me today, man. Thank you.”
I give Louise a vigorous rub on the back, and she wakes.
As soon as she spots the doctor across the room, she purrs, “I’ll take ‘What Women Want’ for eight hundred, Alex.”
“How about I go get those discharge papers,” he says.
I nod. “That sounds like an excellent plan.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Louise
JAMES:Hey, Cold Brew. How are you feeling three days post-op?
ME:Pretty good. Apparently, I’m a quick healer. I still look a little chipmunky, but swelling is down so I’m back at work today.
JAMES:On hump day?
ME:Well, I don’t have labs on Wednesdays anymore thanks to orgy-gate, so I’m free to hang with Meilani on hump day now.
JAMES:#silverlining
ME:Totally. How’s Hawaii?
