“Oh, that? Just family stuff. My sister’s dating someone new and we don’t know anything about him.”
Beth latched on to the only part of the conversation with her mom that she could share without lying. It wasn’t the whole truth, but it was true enough—and it explained why she might look upset without opening the door to everything she was really feeling.
“I didn’t know you had a sister. Older or younger?”
“Younger. By five years.”
“So how old does that make her—if you don’t mind me asking? I guess I just realized how little I know about you after two years of working together.”
“Three years,” Beth corrected, breaking into a smile for the first time all day.
“Three? Well, that proves my point.”
“It’s because you’re a doctor,” she teased. “Isn’t it part of the doctor code to flirt with all the nurses while never making time for personal conversations?”
Bryce rejoined them just in time to catch that last line. Eric grinned and leaned in. “This sounds fascinating. Please, Nurse Stoner, do elaborate.”
“Being a doctor is exactly why you don’t know anything about me. If you were another nurse—or even a hospital staff member—you’d spend more time talking to nurses than asking them out or giving them orders. It’s part of the code: minimal conversation, maximum charm. That’s why you know diddly squat about Elizabeth Jean Stoner.”
She leaned back, feigning smugness, and pretended to file her nails. It was nice finding comfort in acting normal.
Eric laughed. “You’re on to something. They should include that in the Hippocratic Oath: flirt with all female staff—nurses, medics, receptionists, even valet drivers. Think of the possibilities!”
He stood, smoothing his shirt with exaggerated flair.
“Speaking of possibilities—check out the blonde at the coffee kiosk. I’ll be back before you miss me.”
Tossing them a grin, he strolled off like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Beth laughed despite herself.
“While you were on the phone,” Bryce said, leaning closer, “Eric apologized for ditching us last night. Apparently, he had agreat time with a blonde. He doesn’t know anything because he left before our nuptials.”
Beth exhaled, her shoulders sagging. “That’s good news.”
Yet, somehow, it didn’t feel good. The words rang hollow in her own ears, dragging her right back to this morning. Her stomach clenched.
Around them, the airport was full—families, business travelers, announcements blaring overhead—but it all faded into white noise. Sitting there with Bryce, she felt utterly exposed.
She wasn’t alone in the literal sense, but emotionally she might as well have been the only person on the planet.
She wrapped her arms tighter around herself. Being with Bryce felt like sitting across from a walking, breathing reminder of one giant mistake. The worst part? He didn’t look guilty. He looked calm, maybe even concerned, for her. The weight of that, of everything, made her skin itch with discomfort as she avoided looking at him.
“Lizzy, if you won’t even look at me, people are going to get suspicious.”
Her eyes flicked to his and then away again. She still didn’t pick up on the nickname he’d been calling her all day.
“You’re right, but I’m still too embarrassed. Besides, we aren’t on rotation together until next week. I’ll get it together by then.”
“You don’t have anything to beemba—”
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN COURTESY BOARDING FOR FLIGHT 791 WITH NONSTOP SERVICE TO DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. WITH CONTINUING SERVICE TO COLORADO SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. PASSENGERS TRAVELING WITH SMALL CHILDREN OR NEEDING EXTRA TIME MAY NOW BOARD.”
“Time to go!” Beth grabbed her bag and hurried toward the gate. Bryce didn’t stop her. She didn’t know that during check-in he had given up his first-class ticket to ensure he’d be seated next to her on the flight.
He waited until pre-boarding finished and Eric returned to grab his things. When the gate agent called for first class, Eric turned to Bryce with a puzzled look.
“Aren’t you boarding now?”
