“What’s wrong with hope, Elias?” Dr. Warrick asks, a look of sadness or pity filling his eyes. “Without hope, you have a very empty life. You’ll work harder to fill it, but the emptiness will only get bigger.”
“Maybe.”
He stands after checking the time. “I have patients, but think about what I said and maybe we can get a drink sometime this week. No more of this isolation you’ve put yourself in.”
“How did you know?” I grin.
“Because I’ve been you. And it’s lonely.” He gives the door a soft knock as he leaves.
Lonely.
I’m not lonely. He couldn’t be more wrong.
Picking up my phone, I do the one thing I told myself I wouldn’t.
I text her.
Me:Hey, how are you?
There. That’s good.
I slip my phone in my pocket and get back to work. Surgeries fill my evening and in the brief moment I check my phone, she hasn’t answered my text.
I’ve ruined it.
4
OLIVIA
“I am soproud of you for going out and putting yourself out there.” My mom sips her glass of red, smiling at me with flushed cheeks.
It’s Saturday and we decided to go to brunch, shop, and eat at one of our favorite restaurants. It’s been awhile since we’ve spent the day together, and since Dr. Warrick gave me my birthday off, it means I also got a long weekend.
Mom and I weren’t ready to stop having fun today, so we came back to my apartment, popped a bottle of wine, got a little tipsy, and for some reason, she helped me set up an online dating profile.
I’m regretting it.
There’s so much regret.
And there’s no turning back now. Not with how happy my mom is, her eyes watering as if I’m about to go meet the love of my life.
“Mom, it’s just a date. Nothing more. Don’t read into it, okay?”
“I know. I can’t help it. I want you to meet someone who will love you.”
I swipe a light pink lipstick on, then rub my lips together. “You want grandkids.”
She downs the rest of her wine, then pours herself another glass. “There’s nothing wrong with hoping for the future, Olivia.”
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you that I won’t be getting pregnant on the first date, Mom.”
She holds a hand to her chest, pouting her bottom lip. “A mom can dream.”
I roll my eyes with a smile, checking the app to see if my date has messaged to cancel.
A girl can dream.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I haven’t dated since my breakup, and even before my ex, I didn’t really date. My mom is always telling me to put myself out there more, and I know it’s because she doesn’t want me to be alone. She never wanted me to be alone growing up. She wanted to have more kids, but when Dad died, she stopped caring about her future, about her wants, her dreams, and she threw every ounce of energy into making sure I was happy.
