“Baby Daddy?” I hold back my smile and raise my eyebrows. I still don’t love the term, but it’s annoyinglyaccurate.
He makes a face. “Tryagain.”
“I Fix BrokenBones?”
“Boring.” He sips again, eyeingme.
“World’s GreatestDad?”
He thinks for a moment. “A little cliché but I’ll takeit.”
“We can go today. Find that new mug of yours. And then you can drink from a mug as cool as mine.” I peer at him over the brim of my cup, and hesmiles.
This thing we’re doing right now… It’s nice. We’re loose, light, and airy, with none of the awkward tension I anticipated. It takes Claire another hour to wake up, and during that time, Isaac and I are crooked grins, friendly talk about work, and comfortablesilences.
I don’t think Isaac’s even trying. He’s only being himself. The man I met five years ago is still in there, bright and sunny, ready to take on the world with his anything-is-possibleattitude.
Correction: the man I met five years ago ishere.Right beside me, his elbow bumping mine. Claire came out of her room, and now she looks at home on his lap, tucked into the crook of his arm. And I’m six inches away, my insides swirling, feeling everything buttranquil.
It won’t always be like this. Soon this will be your normal. This willpass.
“Dr. Cordova,you have a pharma rep in exam roomthree.”
I lean forward in my chair, my interest piqued. “Thanks, Morgan. Do you knowif—?”
The lineclicks.
Nevermind.
It’s probably not her. What reason would she have to show uphere?
I try to come up with answers as I leave my office and walk toward the room, but I have none. It’s definitely nother.
Whoever it is, this won’t take long. I’m meeting my sister for lunch in twenty minutes, and I can’t be late. Lauren will be late, which means I need to be on time and order for us. I have surgery scheduled for threep.m.
Before entering the room I throw two quick knocks on the door, then pressin.
I was wrong. It isher.
“Jenna,hello.”
She stands across the small space, arms crossed. I’m relieved to feel nothing in my chest when I see her. Not that it surprises me. It’s just good to know there aren’t residual feelingslurking.
“Isaac,” she nods curtly. “This isn’t a professional visit, in case you’rewondering.”
“Unless you’re suddenly in the business of selling metal pins, I didn’t think it was.” I tilt my head and wait for her tospeak.
She barks an awkward laugh, fingering her silk collar. The Jenna I know doesn’t fidget. The Jenna I know is never nervous. Then again, I’m beginning to think I never knew her verywell.
Jenna brings her hand down to meet the other, fingers intertwining in front of her navy blue knee-length skirt. “I came here to talk some sense intoyou.”
My chin raises a fraction of an inch, muscles tensing. Even though I already know what she’s going to say, and I’m so confident of it that I'd bet my right thumb, I ask “Aboutwhat?”
“Your choice to sacrifice yourcareer.”
Annoyance flares. “Your concern is touching. Now if you’ll excuse me.” I move toleave.
“Isaac, wait.” Her hand goes out to stop me, although she’s nowhere near touching me. “I’m here to help you see reason. God knows she won’t. She probably has no idea what you’re giving up for her. And herchild.”
