Page 43 of Dr. Harley

“Thank you, Dr. Cooper. I learned so much in your class. I’m excited to learn even more.” He gives me a little extra squeeze and smile. I hope no one saw that.

* * *

Over the next two weeks,we do exactly as Dr. McCrevis mentioned. We spend time in the labs where we’re taught surgical techniques, and we observe several surgeries from the gallery. We’re still another few weeks from being allowed to scrub in, but it’s fun to watch these people work. It’s fun to see the techniques from the lab brought to life.

It’s Saturday night, and we’re having a big family meal at a nice restaurant.

“To Darian and Jackson. May they have a happy and long marriage.”

We join all of our champagne glasses with that of Aunt Cass, and in unison say, “To Darian and Jackson.”

Mom and Jackson got engaged shortly after the New Year. There was a bit of drama after he proposed on New Year’s Eve, with Mom freaking out, but she eventually proposed back to him live on the jumbotron at the Eagles game.

It was all over the news. Everyone at the hospital saw it and got a good laugh. My whole new big family is out for a celebratory dinner.

Trevor interrupts my thoughts. “I would also like to toast to the latest and greatest version of the Brady Bunch. To my new sisters, who are going to be so good to me, and hook me up with all their hot friends.”

He holds up his glass, but only Reagan hits it with hers. She winks at him. “I’ve got you, brother. It goes both ways though.” They high-five. I swear they’re twins separated at birth.

Mom and Jackson are beaming. I’m so happy for them. Seeing Mom bounce back after such heartbreak is giving me hope.

It’s getting hard for me to continue to resist Brody. Seeing him every day is basically making it impossible to consider moving on. I couldn’t move on when he was on the other side of the world. Now his handsome face is in my face every day. I don’t stand a chance at staying away from him for much longer. On some level, I know we’re inevitable.

He leaves daily notes in my locker letting me know he’s thinking about me, wanting me, and waiting for me to change my mind. Some days he leaves thoughtful gifts.

Yesterday he left me really good sushi. He remembered from the first day of class when I said that good sushi is my favorite food. The other day he left me a key to his shore house, with a note letting me know the house is as much mine as it is his, and that he can’t wait until I change my mind so we can spend time down there together. He left me my underwear from that first night we were together, with a note that he doesn’t need the memory anymore since he’ll soon have the real thing. It’s constant, and my defenses aren’t going to hold up forever.

If I thought seeing his gorgeous face all the time was breaking me down, watching him perform surgery is next level. It’s basically my own personal form of porn. I get turned on every time I watch him perform surgery.

I feel an elbow from Reagan. “Are you awake?”

“Yes, sorry. My head was elsewhere.”

“Was it between Brody’s legs where it belongs?”

A giggle. “Maybe a little.”

“Good. What’s going on there?”

“He’s relentless. Every single day he does something to pursue me.”

“Let him succeed.”

“You know my reasons.”

“They’re stupid. Grow up. Stop being so fucking concerned about what other people think. Do what makes you happy. Look at Mom right now.” I look up and she’s on Jackson’s lap with her arms around him. He’s constantly kissing and touching her. She’s literally beaming.

“Look how happy she is. Don’t you want that? Don’t you think you deserve to have that same shit-eating grin that she has right now? I don’t want that right now, I’m too young, but I want that one day. Exactly that. You’re ready for it, and have it in the palm of your hand, yet you’re doing nothing about it. How long do you think this guy is going to keep begging? Men that look like him don’t beg forever.”

“I’ll think about it.” She’s definitely given me a lot to consider.

Fortunately, she changes topics. “Are we on for Operation Spygate tomorrow night?”

I roll my eyes. “Are we seriously doing this?”

“Absolutely. Skylar is in deep with this guy. We need to find out once and for all if he’s cheating on her. I don’t mean to be a bitch, but she may need to physically see it to believe it and move on. The three of us are meeting in front of his apartment at 9:00 tomorrow night. Skylar said she thinks he’ll be leaving around then. Make sure you’re wearing all black.”

“Are you kidding me? This is so stupid.”

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