Rolling over in my bed, I check the time and decide it’s not too late to call her. If it is, I’ll face the consequences later. Right now, I just need to hear her voice.
My head rests on my pillow, my hair rumpled in my reflection on the screen of my phone. If I’m gonna get in trouble for waking her up, I might as well get a chance to see her face, so I opt for a video call instead. Nervously I clear my throat hoping she answers.
“Hello?”
Hearing her rough voice makes me laugh. “Did I wake you?” Her wild hair is piled in a bun with several loose strands framing her face. The smile on her face will make any anger worth it.
“No,” she sits up, the camera shifting to the sound of ruffling sheets, “I was reading on my phone.”
I don’t know what I was expecting when she popped on the screen, but the satin gold spaghetti strap sleep top that’s barely there has my heart thundering out of my chest. How did I get so lucky?
“Good. I’m glad I didn’t wake you, but I needed to see you. Hear your voice.”
“Oh,” she says playfully with the raise of an eyebrow, “Is this one of those booty calls? I always wanted to get one of those.”
“Seriously?” I laugh, grinning like a fool.
Hazel’s eyes squint adorably as she giggles. “No.”
How have I lived thirty years without having her in my life?
I arch my eyebrows playfully. “We could make it one if we wanted to.” I’d much rather have my hands all over her, but I’ll do anything for her.
She narrows her eyes at me. “Oh really?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t mind getting a repeat of the other night, even if I don’t get to touch you.”
She tries to hide it, but her breath hitches. “Don’t tempt me. I might have to get out of bed and sneak over to your house, which would be hard considering I don’t know where you live, but I could do it.” Instead, she does the opposite, sinking under her covers and laying her head on her pillow.
Why am I constantly smiling around her?
“I believe you could.” I agree as she pulls her blanket up to her chin. “We can save that for another time.”
And there will be another time.
“Thanks,” she says through a yawn.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have called this late. I’ll let you sleep.”
“No,” she rushes, sitting up so quickly the blankets slip down her torso making my heart hammer once again. “Don’t hang up. I like talking to you.”
“Okay.” A sense of calming happiness settles in my chest. “What do you want to talk about?”
A relieved expression flits across her face as she lowers herself back to her bed. “Hmmm…” She taps her chin. “Why did you become a pediatrician?”
“Wow, you’re wanting to fall asleep fast, huh?” She issues a soft disagreement, urging me to continue. “My grandpa was my favorite person in the world growing up. He was a pediatrician for forty years. I’d go to his office after school until my parents got off of work. He’d let me mess with all sorts of stuff, usually getting myself into trouble in the process.” I snort at the memory. “I think all that time seeing him with his patients andspending time in his office wore off on me. He said his proudest day was when I graduated med school.”
“I love that story. It sounds like he loves you.”
I sigh. “He did. I wish he would’ve been able to meet Harrison. He would’ve loved meeting the great-grandson who’s named after him.”
Hazel’s voice is soft. “I’m sorry.”
Grandpa Harrison died three weeks after my graduation. Knowing I made him proud in his final weeks keeps me going to this day. Absently, I reach across my chest with my free hand to rub the caduceus tattoo I got in his honor on my arm. “How was brunch?” The dull light of her bedroom makes her freckles stand out and I wish I was there with her to kiss each one of them.
“It was good. Maybe you feel this way when you meet up with Cole and Wells, but life seems easier when Jo’s around.” I nod. No matter what, when they’re around, everything’s good. “She’s super busy downtown at her corporate office and barely has any free time. The older we get the harder it is to find a time to meet up. I’m lucky she can carve out a slot for Sunday brunch.”
That’s why we have a designated night where all three of us hang out. Between Wells’ busy season, Cole constantly running around like a chicken with his head cut off, and me with the practice and coaching, it feels like time hardly slows down.
