I bit down on the inside of my cheek, nodding, albeit reluctantly. She clearly knew the details. She knew what I was apologizing for. And shestilldidn’t blame me.
She blew out a breath, smiling through her tears as she stepped back. “Come on. Come inside. Let me make you something to eat while we catch up.”
As I followed her inside, I could feel it...a minuscule fraction of that weight I’d been carrying lifting from my shoulders.
Chapter 20
“How’s NP life treating you?”
I glanced across the Sunday dinner table at Morgan, who was in her usual spot beside Wes. “It has its moments…but I love it.”
“Bet you’re loving those paychecks a lot more,” Wes teased with a chuckle.
I laughed. “Yeah, that’s definitely a perk.”
“And how has it been precepting with Blake?” my mom asked.
“It’s been good,” I answered. “He definitely knows his shit.”
“I don’t know why, but at first glance…he doesn’t scream doctor to me.” Morgan chuckled. “I forget he is one half the time.”
“What does that mean?” Wes snorted. “What does a doctor look like?”
“I don't know. He’s just so…big.” I choked on my water as Morgan laughed at Wes’s expression. “I just mean that he looks like he could crush someone, but instead, he’s saving lives.”Wes playfully arched his brow, and she laughed harder. “I’m gonna shut up now.”
Since my breakdown after losing that patient, work returned to normal. Death was an inevitable part of my job, but after that case, I felt the sharp edge of that reality more than ever.
At first, I blamed myself, feeling like my choices shaped what happened. And while Blake helped me see that it wasn’t my fault, it took time for me to accept it. In the days that followed, I kept replaying the case, searching for any mistakes I might have made, or anything I might have missed, but the outcome never changed. I had to accept that it was out of my control.
Whenever I remembered that moment with Blake after he found me—his understanding and kindness—something different would surface, blending comfort with a deeper, more confusing feeling. The way he looked at me felt less like a colleague’s concern and more like there was some kind of unspoken affection between us. I was quick to push that thought aside, though, because there was more than a good chance I was reading too much into it. You know, stupid, hopeless romantic heart and all.
I’d noticed a subtle shift in Blake as well. Maybe only someone watching as closely as I did would notice the difference, but while he still carried his usual weight, he seemed lighter in a sense, quicker to smile and joke. Seeing him a little more carefree made me happy, but it also deepened the confusion I was wrestling with.
One evening, Blake and I left the hospital together after our shift, walking alongside Marie.
As we made our way to the employee parking lot, Marie glanced over. “Dr. Dimples, are you coming to the Anchor with us tomorrow?”
Blake snorted. “Dr.Dimples? Really?”
“Oh…is that the first time I’ve called you that to your face?”
I covered my mouth with my hand to stifle my giggle as Blake narrowed his eyes playfully. “You’ve been calling me that behind my back, Graham?”
“Did you justlast nameme?”
“You just called meDr. Dimples,” he countered.
“Fair,” Marie said with a shrug. “And yes, I’ve been calling you that since day one. Now you know. So, are you coming or not?”
Blake huffed out a laugh. “And what is happening at the Anchor tomorrow?”
“A bunch of us are going out to celebrate Marie’s birthday,” I answered.
“Starting our weekend off the right way,” Marie added.
“Ah,” he said with a nod. “Well, I offered to cover for Dr. Wileman tomorrow, so I have to work, but I’ll see how the shift goes.”
Marie scoffed playfully as she veered off toward her car. “Fine. I guess that’s acceptable.”
