By 5:45 AM, she was downstairs. The house was silent except for the gentle hum of the baby monitor and the occasional creak of settling walls. She moved through the familiar rhythm: coffee brewed, eggs cracked, bacon sizzling.
She packed Jake Jr.’s lunch turkey sandwich, chips, and the little muffins he liked. Then Jake’s: salad, dressing on the side, a chilled bottle of sparkling water.
The kitchen smelled like bacon and toasted bread when the footsteps finally began.
Macy stumbled in first, rubbing her eyes, dragging her favorite stuffed unicorn by the horn.
Then Jake Jr., already dressed in his football hoodie, hair sticking up in five directions.
Jake came in last, fresh from his shower, wearing dark navy scrubs that clung perfectly to his lean, muscular frame. His name Dr.Jake Waterman, M.D.was embroidered on the chest in crisp white thread, just above where the fabric stretched across his broad shoulders. His sleeves were pushed halfway up his forearms, revealing strong, veined arms that made him look more like a model in a luxury skincare ad than a surgeon. His blonde hair was still damp, slicked back with precision, and the faint scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air long after he passed. Even half-awake, he looked like he belonged in a magazine the kind of man women glanced twice at in the grocery store.
He was still breathtaking. Still the man who made her stomach flip when he smiled from across a room. Still the boy who once snuck her into his truck on summer nights just to kiss her under the stars. But now? He barely looked at her. Barely touched her. She could be in full makeup, hair curled, wearing silk and he’d walk right past her like she was a lamp in the corner of the room.
It hurt more than she ever admitted.
Because if a man that beautiful stopped seeing you… it made you question if you were ever beautiful at all.She used to believe they were soulmates. Now, she wasn’t sure if they were even friends.
“Morning,” Kylee offered, placing a plate in front of him.
“Morning,” he said, distracted. He picked up a piece of toast and bit into it while scrolling through emails on his phone.
They all sat at the table, a moment of calm before the daily storm. Kylee smiled as Macy reached over and tried to steal bacon from her brother’s plate.
Just as Jake Jr. started talking about his upcoming game, Jake cut in. “I’ve got to head out early today,” he said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “Hired a new receptionist. I need to get her set up with the intake system.”
Kylee blinked. “You didn’t tell me you were hiring someone new.”
He shrugged. “Didn’t think it mattered. My last one quit suddenly. Rachel’s 21, young, but she seems sharp.”
Kylee sipped her coffee slowly, studying him. “21, huh?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Bubbly, kind of eager. But she’s fast on a computer and already knows the booking software. Should be a good fit.”
“She sounds... very eager,” Kylee said, her voice even.
He glanced up at her and smirked, missing the edge in her tone. “Don’t start. She’s just helping with phones and scheduling. Nothing serious.”
The rest of the day passed in a whirlwind of constant motion and little pauses.With the house quiet for just a moment, Kylee folded a pile of laundry, tiny onesies and shirts stained from toddler adventures and put them away with a tired sigh.
Just then, her phone buzzed on the counter. She smiled, recognizing the familiar name flashing on the screen.
“Hey, Kel!” Kylee answered, her voice brightening.
“Kylee! How’s the Idaho tundra treating you?” Kelly’s warm, teasing tone filled the kitchen.
Kylee laughed softly. “Cold as ever. But the kids keep me busy enough to forget the frost.”
“What’s new with you? Spill the tea,” Kelly said, her voice bubbling with curiosity.
Kylee hesitated, then decided to keep it light. “Same old, same old. Busy day with the kids. Jake’s working late again. You know the drill.”
Kelly sighed sympathetically. “Girl, you need a vacation. Or at least a margarita night.”
Kylee grinned. “Believe me, I’m dreaming of both.”
They chatted for a few more minutes, Kelly sharing stories about her new job and disastrous dating adventures, Kylee teasing her about the latest episode of their favorite show. The laughter was a warm balm, a brief escape from the relentless pace of Kylee’s day.
When the call ended, Kylee felt a little lighter, like she’d touched something familiar and steady amid the chaos.
