Page 8 of A Place Like You

“Did they say anything else?” I ask before taking another refreshing sip of my iced tea, hoping that’ll help me swallow the news better.

Regina shakes her head. “Nope. They caught sight of me and scurried away. That’s when my dad dropped the bombshell that I have a new aunt.”

“That settles it, Wren. You should hire him,” Sutton orders while Jez scrunches her nose.

“What’s with the face?” I ask Jez, ignoring Sutton’s excitement.

Jez’s gaze meets mine, her lips curling into a grimace. “The thought of keeping those two on board for years . . . All my employees are seasonal.”

Regina gasps dramatically, her hand fluttering to her chest. “Oh no, you have to commit to giving these men a job for over a month. The horror.”

“Don’t you dare utter the c-word in her presence.” Sutton feigns shock, her eyes wide as she turns to Jez. “Oops, sorry, she mentioned commitment in front of you.”

I can’t help but burst into laughter. This is what I love about being with my friends—for a few moments, we can forget about life’s hardships and the future challenges ahead.

“That’s another fifty bucks in the jar,” I point at my empty glass. “No one dares speak that forbidden word in this fine establishment.”

“It’s like saying ‘Voldemort’ in front of Harry Potter,” Sutton quips, a playful smirk spreading across her face.

Jez shakes her head, a chuckle escaping her. “You’re such a nerd, Sutton.” She sighs. “But God, I love you.”

Regina raises an expectant eyebrow. “If you love us so much, where is our food? My patients will be knocking down my door soon.”

“More like barking.” Sutton grins.

Jez shakes her head in mock exasperation, shooting Regina a playfully reproachful look. “You’re too demanding,” she jokes before disappearing in the direction of the kitchen.

As the laughter dies down, Sutton turns to me, her hand reaching out to give mine a gentle squeeze. “I know change is tough for you,” she begins, her voice soft but insistent. “But give yourself and that doctor a chance. Think about what this could do for your stress levels. Not every male doctor in the world is an asshole.”

Sutton’s words hang in the air, filling the space between us with unspoken questions and possibilities. The light chatter of the bar, the clinking of glasses, and the murmur of conversation fade into the background.

Should I take a chance and hire Drake?

The mere thought of it stirs up a whirlwind of uncertainty within me.

Allowing him into my clinic and personal space would undoubtedly change many things. I can’t help but question if they would truly be for the better. It feels like I would be surrendering a part of myself, relinquishing control in the process.

Can I rely on him to care for my patients?

Doubts linger in the air, anchoring me in the midst of my wavering confidence. The weight of the decision settles deep within my bones, urging me to question myself further. “Can I truly go through with this?”

Chapter Four

Wren

As a gentle glow of dawn filters through the curtains, my alarm pierces the silence of my cozy room. It’s 6:30 AM, and another day in the captivating yet often hectic world of Heartwood Lake is about to begin.

Being a single mom and the only doctor in town means my mornings are always a flurry of activity. There’s no time for leisure—I have to tackle my tasks before tending to everyone else’s needs.

The first ten minutes of my day are dedicated to meditation—it’s what keeps me sane throughout my entire day. That’s followed by a quick shower. Once out, I apply moisturizer and foundation to look decent enough. I gather my auburn hair into a neat ponytail and slip into a pair of jeans and a cozy sweatshirt, embracing the laid-back Friday vibe. That’s the beauty of being my own boss. I can take small liberties—like deciding on the dress code. Although I haven’t yet instituted “pajama day,” I’m often seen in lounging pants during late-night emergency calls.

The rich aroma of coffee fills the small kitchen as I hurry to prepare a quick breakfast. I’m thankful for this automatic coffee maker that magically brews coffee when I’m ready for my caffeine fix.

When I check on Milo, he’s already up, his face lighting up in excitement as he chatters nonstop about dinosaurs and their mind-boggling enormity.

“Mommy, did you know that the Argentinosaurus is the biggest dinosaur? It’s even larger than our town,” he exclaims, his innocent wonder captivating me. “Do you think Grampa Charles will take me to the moose? Or maybe we can bring the fozys to us.”

“First off, it’s museum, not moose, and they are fossils, not fozys,” I correct him, trying to suppress the tender amusement tugging at my lips. “We’ll see what we can do about the museum, though.”

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