Page 36 of Doctor Second Chance

He nods enthusiastically, grabs my hand, and tugs me inside. As we move through the house, a mouthwatering aroma hits me. Sizzling onions and something rich and savory fills the air, making my stomach growl.

We enter the kitchen, and there's Shep, donning an apron and stirring something on the stove. He glances up, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Hey, you're back," he says. "Dinner should be ready soon. I hope you're hungry."

"Starving," I admit, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest at the sight of him being so domestic.

Shep reaches into the fridge and pulls out a bottle. "Rosé?" he asks, already pouring me a glass.

I can't help but smile. "You remembered my go-to." I'd like to think it is just me, but I have a feeling this is a skill he has honed over the years.

He hands me the chilled glass, our fingers brushing. "Some things are important. Like which drink helps a person unwind."

As I sip the wine, the tension in my shoulders starts to ease. Opie tugs on my shirt, eager to show me his latest creation.

“So, what does L stand for?”

"What's that?" I ask, caught off guard by his earnest question. This precious little thing stands there with his hands behind his back like a little man.

"Like, L-M-N-O-P. What does the L stand for? I know your name can’t just be a letter.”

"Oh, I get it! It sounds like a letter, but it is my nickname, which is short for Eloise. Which, as it turns out, starts with an E.”

“Okay, that makes more sense. Look what I made!" he says, holding up an intricate Lego structure.

I crouch down to his level, examining it closely. "Wow, Opie! This is incredible. Is it a house?"

His face lights up as he launches into a detailed explanation of his fireman house, as he calls it. I listen intently, asking questions and praising his creativity. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Shep watching us, a soft expression on his face.

As Opie chatters on, I finally feel entirely at ease. I no longer feel like a complete interloper.

7:48 pm

I'm sitting on the patio, enjoying the peaceful evening, when Shep joins me after putting Opie to bed. The cool air makes for another peaceful night in Shep's little slice of paradise in the middle of the city sprawl.

"Dinner was amazing," I tell him, genuinely impressed. My taste buds are still tingling from the explosion of flavors.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I pulled out all the stops to impress you.”

“You succeeded.”

Shep holds his wine glass high, accepting the praise. I can’t leave it there, though. My mouth is still watering at the thought of it. “You've got some serious culinary skills hiding behind that doctor's coat, Shep."

Shep grins, looking pleased. “I enjoy grilling. I've picked up a few culinary skills over the years."

"I can tell. Quite the change from the guy who could barely boil water for ramen."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I feel the shift in the air. The remainder of our shared past hangs between us, heavy and unspoken.

Shep clears his throat. "Elle, about that... about us, back then… I want to talk about that if it’s alright with you.”

I brace myself, waiting for the familiar urge to change the subject. But it doesn't come. Maybe it's the wine softening my edges, or perhaps it's Izzy's words echoing in my head. Whatever the reason, I find myself ready to listen.

“Sure. That’s probably not a bad idea, considering everything.”

"I owe you an apology," Shep continues, his voice low and sincere. The way I treated you and ended things wasn't fair. I was selfish, so focused on my career that I didn't see what I was throwing away."

I watch him, feeling a mix of emotions I can't quite name. Part of me wants to brush it off, to say it's ancient history. But another part, a part that has grown hard and mistrustful with my feelings, needs to hear this.

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