I kissed her goodbye and watched her walk toward the elevator. She looked back once, smiled, and that same certaintysettled in my chest. Choosing her was the best decision I’d made in a long time.
The rest of the day passed in the usual blur of meetings and budget reviews. I even consulted on a complex cardiac case where people still valued my surgical opinion even if I wasn't the one holding the scalpel.
I stayed a few minutes longer than necessary, watching through the observation window as they worked. My hands had gone still at my sides without me realizing it, like they were waiting for something they no longer belonged to.
I forced myself to turn away before the instinct to step in got any stronger.
Cassian stopped by my office around three, sat down, and studied me.
“You look different,” he finally said.
“Different how?”
“You don't look like you’re about to murder someone anymore.”
“I was never going to murder anyone, Cassian.”
“That’s debatable.” He grinned. “But seriously. You seem… I don't know. You seem content.”
The word fit perfectly. “I am.”
“Is it because of Mireya?”
I nodded solemnly. “Mireya. Emma. This job. It's all of it.”
Cassian nodded slowly. “Good. You deserve to be happy after everything you’ve been through.”
I looked away, a tightness in my throat I didn't bother fighting.
“Bree mentioned that Mireya is doing excellent work,” Cassian said, changing the subject. “She says Mireya is one of the best assistants she has ever worked with.”
After he left, I finished my work while thinking about the evening. I was looking forward to dinner with Mireya and maybea movie. Those ordinary moments felt extraordinary because we were choosing to spend them together.
I left the hospital at six and drove through the traffic. Normally it would have annoyed me, but today it didn't. I got home to find Mireya already in the kitchen. She had changed into leggings and a big sweater, and she was chopping vegetables with total focus.
“How was the surgery?” I asked, dropping my keys on the counter.
“It was perfect. No complications at all. Bree said I have a gift for knowing what she needs before she even says it.” She glanced at me. “I already knew that, of course, but it’s nice to hear it from someone who isn't my boyfriend.”
“I'm not obligated to give you compliments.”
“You’re dating me. That’s basically the same thing.”
I moved behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. “You are impossible.”
“And you love it.”
“I really do.”
“How was the coffee with your mom and Emma?” I asked.
“It was chaotic. My mom spent the whole time asking Emma questions and telling embarrassing stories about me.” She turned around in my arms. “Apparently, I was a very serious child who organized all my dolls by their height and medical condition.”
“That sounds exactly like you.”
“Emma thought it was hilarious. They really bonded over how intense I am.”
“That also sounds like you.”
