“So you’re not having doubts?”
“I’m not, not really. But also, how sure can either of us be after two weeks?”
I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but I’ve been feeling quite sure. If she needs this, though, I’ll give it to her.
“Okay. Two weeks of torture. Maybe it’s a good idea.”
She smiles and squeezes my hand. “Thank you.”
“How’re you holding up?” Rory stepped into the E.D. a few minutes after me, a bag and two coffees in hand. He passed me one of the drinks and sat the bag down on the nurses station counter. “I brought scones, just in case.”
“In case I need to eat my feelings?”
He shrugs. “I know you preferred extra exercise when Cait left, but the situation with Makenna is different. And I figured if you didny want it, I’d eat it. I love scones.”
“I’ll eat it, but not because I need to eat my feelings.”
“If you say so, mate.” Rory pulls one out and hands it to me.
“Thank you.”
“So how many times have you texted her already? Is she on her flight yet?”
“None, and no, she doesn’t take off for another two hours.”
“And you hevny texted her?”
“Nope. She asked that we take a two-week break to see how we feel at the end of it. Was this a vacation romance, or something more?”
“What? That’s … I mean, that would have never crossed my mind.”
“Mine either. And it might not have crossed Makenna’s, but someone at the gala told her a cautionary tale of a failed vacation romance turned marriage.”
“Who?”
“Apparently Dr. Mackenzie’s wife had been married before.”
“Oooh.”
I shrug. “The only thing I can figure is that maybe it’s different for Makenna. She was literally on vacation. I’ve been inmy real life. Granted, it’s been much different, but I’ve been in my home, been around my family, going to my job. It all felt natural to me. Maybesheneeds this, though.”
“Maybe so. And I bet it will be one of those absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder situations,” Rory says, then bites into his scone.
I take a bite of mine. Blueberry. Rory’s a good friend; he knows what I like.
“I hope so.” Then I change the subject hoping distraction now will help me focus later. “I didny miss you sitting close to Isla at the pub Friday.”
He grins. “I’ve given up on you setting us up. I’m also choosing not to be offended by the fact that you hevny.”
“I knew she’d prefer you pursuing her yourself. I’ve just been waiting for it to happen.”
“You could have said something.” He sips his coffee, then takes off the lid to blow into the cup.
“It was more fun waiting on you to make the decision yourself.”
“I guess I’ll forgive you since we’ll be brothers one day.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Isla will be a tough nut to crack.”
