Alex: He’s such a green flag I’m surprised he’s still single. Like capital G for GO, green.
Cate: I love this for you, B. It sounds like you’ve found yourself a mountain man to call your own.
Blair: Honest. Handsome. Thoughtful.
Alex: Look at you swooning over your new Alaskan boyfriend.
Blair: We’ve had two dates. He’s not my boyfriend.
Cate: Yet.
Blair: We haven’t even kissed. But yes, there have definitely been some swoony moments.
Cate: There’s no way a man that is all those things and treats you like that isn’t a good kisser.
Blair: How would you know?
Cate: Duh. I’ve read all of Aster’s books, remember. All her men are strong, protective, and swoony. They’re like PERFECT.
Blair: If only it was real, right?
Cate: Exactly!!
“Blair!” Turning around, I see Isla waving as she walks toward me.
Blair: Gotta go. Talk soon. Love and miss you both.
Cate: Miss you more even if it’s only been three weeks since you left us.
Blair: Is that all? It feels like I’ve been here forever.
Alex: Miss you the most. And yes, three weeks feels like a lifetime.
“Hey. I’m guessing you had the same idea as me?” I ask.
She laughs. “To escape the hospital? Are we even medical professionals if we don’t have that thought at least once a shift?”
“Too true. Sometimes more than one. Do you want to join me?”
“You sure you don’t mind?” She nods to the phone in my hand. “You looked like you were havin’ a good time textin’.”
“I did?”
“You were grinnin’ when I first spotted you.”
“My best friends were messaging me,” I reply.
“Ah yes. They’re always the best chats. “She holds up her packed lunch from home. “Wanna share this delicious egg salad sandwich Case made for me? He stole the recipe from Sutton after he found leftovers on Sunday.”
“You don’t mind?”
She arches a brow sassily. “Would I have offered otherwise?”
“Touche.”
Sitting on the park bench with me, we share our lunches—her sandwiches and my chicken salad.
“I’ve been meanin’ to catch up with you,” she says. “I’ve just beensobusy with the weddin’.”
