Page 67 of Doctor Second Chance

So, I thought having a little Drifters and Smokey Robinson setting the tone was a nice touch. A big smile spreads across her face as she starts to sing along to “ Under the Boardwalk.”

"So," I begin, setting down my glass. "We should probably talk about where we go from here."

Elle nods, her eyes meeting mine. "I've been thinking about that too. A lot, actually."

"I know I want to give this another shot," I say, touching her finger as it rests on the base of the wine glass. "But I also know it's not going to be simple."

She squeezes my fingers. "I want that too, Shep. But you're right—there are some big hurdles."

I take a deep breath. "The distance is the biggest one. You'll be heading back to Florida soon."

"Yeah," Elle sighs. "My medical leave is for six weeks, but after that, I have to get back to work. My whole life is there."

"And mine is here," I add softly. "With Opie, my practice..."

We sit silently for a moment, the weight of reality settling over us.

"Maybe we could do weekends?" Elle suggests. "Alternating visits?"

I nod slowly. "That could work. It's about a six-hour drive, right, and a two-hour flight? We could make that happen."

"And there's always FaceTime," Elle adds with a small smile. "It's not ideal, but it's something."

I lean back in my chair, considering. "It won't be easy. But I think there is something still there between us worth exploring."

Her eyes soften. "I feel the same way, Shep."

"I don't know what is going to happen with Ari. I spoke with her team today, and there haven't really been any improvements. These things can take months, or there is the possibility she will never wake up. So that means, at least for the foreseeable future, I will always have Opie in tow."

"That doesn't bother me in the least. I love Opie. The question is, how do you feel about that? I know this has all been unconventional, but I imagine you don't introduce him to your lady friends so quickly. What if things don't work out?"

Hearing those words stings. Yes, she is right. Most of the women I've been with have never even met him, much less gotten to spend so much time with him.

But more than that, the notion that this might not work is a real possibility. We have the odds stacked against us in several ways.

"Well, to be honest, no one I've dated has ever really spent time with him. If someone met him, it was by pure coincidence and fleeting. I love that you get a glimpse into our life and be around him because doing this will require a lot of quality time together. To answer your question, I don't feel at all hesitant."

She nods her head and takes a sip of her wine. I swirl mine and sniff before doing the same.

"So, here is a big one. Are we just going to do a casual thing, or is this exclusive?"

She comes in hard and fast. We only broached this not even a full twenty-four hours ago. In fairness, this has been bubbling since we saw each other two weeks ago. But under any circumstances, this is happening at lightning speed.

"You know, that is a legitimate question. You might find it hard to believe, but I haven't been in an exclusive relationship since we broke up over ten years ago. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you the idea of that scares the shit out of me.”

I listen intently as Elle shares her dating history since our breakup. Her honesty is refreshing, and I find myself opening up about my own experiences.

"I appreciate your candor about Justin," I say. "Ending things because you knew he wasn't the one, that takes courage."

Elle nods. "It wasn't easy, but it felt right. What about you? Any serious relationships?"

I shake my head. "Nothing long-term. I've dated but never committed. I've seen too many friends fall into comfortable routines, staying together out of habit rather than love. That's not what I want."

"I get that," Elle says. "I'm not necessarily asking for exclusivity right now. I just want us to be honest with each other."

Her words ease some of the tension I've been feeling. "Transparency is important to me, too. And right now, I'm not looking to date anyone else."

Elle smiles. "Neither am I. I think we can make this work, Shep. It won't be easy with the distance, but I'm willing to try if you are."

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