He moved as well so we faced each other. Even through the dim light in the room, I could see his face brighten with what looked a lot like pride. “I, uh, I won something.” The words on his lips sounded more like an admission of guilt than something boastful.
“Likethe lottery or something?” I asked, completely unsure of what he was getting at.
Of course your mind goes to money,I yelled at myself in my own head.
“No,” he dismissed my suggestion, laughing a little. “Something far less important.”
Pulling myself up to an upright position, I moved the blanket over my lap as if I had to cover my junk when I was around Noah. Following suit, Noah did the same,fidgeting with his fingers in his blanket-covered lap. “It’s at work,” he clarified, continuing to twist his hands.
“Well, spill it already, will ya? I’m on the edge of my seat here,” I kidded, anxiously waiting for him to tell me what he’d won.
“Doctor of the Year,” he blurted. “My boss, Doctor Cosentina, informed me.”
Shock washed over me, not for any other reason than he seemed so ashamedof it, so much so it was almost as if he didn’t want to mention it in the first place. Finally letting the words ring in my ears, I called out, “That’s fucking amazing,” as I pulled him into a tight embrace. “My God, Noah. You had me thinking it was something awful or some shit like that. Doctor of the Year, that’s amazing.”
He shrugged, before his face finally gave way to pride I was certainhe was feeling inside. “Thanks. I’m kind of excited about it.”
“Kind of?” I asked, astonished he wasn’t jumping up and down in the bed. “It’s fucking incredible.”
Brushing a hand through his hair, he smiled at me before pulling my face to his. He kissed me, long and deep, before resting his forehead on mine. “Thanks, babe. It means a lot to me that you’re excited. So I take it you’ll come withme?” he asked, pulling my head back against his chest. “It’s black tie and whatnot, but it would mean a lot—”
“Don’t you dare say another word. I’ll be there with all the bells and whistles on that you tell me I need. I’m really so fucking proud of you,” I said, pulling his body next to mine. “But why did you sound so out of it?” Curiosity got the best of me. He’d won something that most peoplewould only hope to earn in their entire career. And here he was, a year into his residency, and he was being graced with an achievement award unlike many others. He’d just earned some serious props, but instead of gloating about it and celebrating it, he was shy, almost ashamed. Like he’d done something wrong.
Before the words were even out of his mouth, I knew what he was thinking about andhated thattheywere the reason he’d questioned his integrity as a doctor.
