Page 112 of A Really Bad Idea

I ignore him and agree with Mrs. Lerry, “Natasha is a fantastic nurse. She cared for my mother as well.”

She smiles. “My nephew came to see me in the hospital, and I think I saw a few sparks fly between the two. Wouldn’t that be something? Maybe everything happens for a reason.”

I check the level on my monitor and remove the device from her finger. “I am a firm believer in Karma.”

“And wishes,” Thomas says.

I have a lot of wishes that have come true. A few I’m still waiting on.

The appointment ends, and I head to the next exam room.

It’s a busy day of appointments, and when I get my stack of files back to the front desk, Angela is sucking on a lollipop, eager to talk.

“Guess who has upgraded to having a drawer?” She swivels in her chair. Her long, dark hair sways with the turns.

I look around, trying to figure out what the hell she’s talking about.

“Me, silly! Denny gave me a drawer in his place. Told me I could leave my clothes there for sleepovers.”

I give her a congratulatory smile. “Let me guess; you gave him a whole dresser?”

She grins. “Damn right! That boy can move himself in anytime he wants. Although his building has a doorman, so I’d much prefer to move in there.”

“You’ve gone from toothbrush to beyond a box in a short time. I have high hopes for you. Pun intended.”

“Don’t knock it. I’ve been using his hemp conditioner, and my hair has never been so smooth.” She hands me a piece of paper. “Your mother called while you were in your appointment. She told me not to bother you while you were with a patient but to please ask you to bring her hairspray and compression socks because she didn’t like the ones from the hospital.”

I laugh, happy to know Mom is back up to her usual self. “How did she sound?”

“Fantastic for someone who had valve replacement surgery two days ago.” Angela purses her lips. “She spent a long time talking about the best positions to procreate. Is that common for people who have near-death experiences?”

My guffaw bursts out. I have to cover my mouth to retain my laugh. “I might have told her you were trying to get pregnant. It’s a long story. One I will tell you tomorrow over drinks?”

She practically falls out of her seat. “You want to come out on a weekday?”

“I think it’s time I got out of my routines.”

She taps her feet and raises her arms in victory. “There is the swankiest little wine bar downtown that has the best cheese platter. Denny is lactose intolerant, so I never get to go anymore.”

I hand her my last file. “It’s a date.”

“Who’s dating?” Christian asks as he approaches the desk.

I didn’t notice him walk out of the exam room.

“Meadow and I are going out tomorrow. Wine and cheese for me! Oh, can we see if Beth wants to come? I am dying to see if she was serious about that offer to work for her.”

Christian looks at her with the drop of his chin. “Not something you should tell your boss’s son.”

“Stilettos over stents,” Angela sings and then adds, “Oh, come on. You know I’m only teasing.” She puts her hand to the side of her mouth, blocking it from Christian, and whispers to me, “I’m not teasing.”

I gently hit her in the head with my pen and walk away from the desk, toward the break room. It’s been a long day, as I’ve been trying to keep Thomas on schedule, so I can get out of here on time and see my mom. She’s still in the ICU, but she’s awake, and the breathing tube has been removed. Hopefully, they’ll move her to a regular room tonight.

Focusing on Mom and work is a great distraction as I ponder what exactly I’m going to say to Christian.

I’ve worked through our conversation in my head a hundred different ways, and each has a new outcome. It’s why I don’t know what to say, how to say it, or when. So, I’m just not saying anything.

I enter the break room and grab my bag from my locker. As I turn toward the door, Christian walks in and puts his back to the closed door, trapping me in.