Page 8 of Lie for a Lie

I have never felt anything like this in my life.

“I’m going to head home. If you need someone to come pick you up, just text Chris,” she says softly, half smiling, before pointing toward the waiting room.

I can feel the disappointment settle on my brow before I neutralize it.

“I’ll figure it out.”

I smiled before noticing a few male staff members huddling around the nearby nurse’s station, checking her out. I laugh and can’t blame them for noticing her long, toned legs in that dress.

She is a goddess.

“Do you always have a fan club?”

I nod and wave at the men, clearly, eye fucking her from the nurse’s station. She lets out a soft giggle before following my line of sight.

“No. Just around here.”

She waves softly towards the men before walking over to them, throwing me a smile over her shoulder. I can’t help but watch her sway her hips as one of the men pulls her into a hug with his multi-colored manicure before smiling flatly at the older balding man in a white coat. Paige seems uncomfortable because she is clinging to the well-manicured one.

Who is that?

My mind is spiraling, and I turn towards Katherine. A new kind of disappointment begins to fester in my chest. My eyes look up for Paige again, but she appears to have left with the well-manicured man as I notice the old one in the white coat focusing on his phone.

I sigh, frustrated, and gently brush my fingers across Kat’s engagement ring. When we met, I was on top of the world. I had purchased my first house and gained access to my trust, all while finishing my second year of residency. I was ready to find someone after being alone for so long.

Yes, I had a few girlfriends, but Kat was the only one I was ever serious about. Nothing ever felt the same between us, though, after losing our daughter.

I ended up selling most of my grandparents’ estate in hopes of putting a large down payment on a forever home. Something with a few acres and some water nearby for my boat.

I knew growing up I didn’t want to live in Missouri my whole life, and since we were stationed in Austin, I paid cash for a two-bedroom townhouse near the base before investing almost everything else.

I close my eyes, attempting to rest, when I hear a soft knock on the door. A small brunette with large round glasses and a white coat enters the room and introduces herself as Katherine’s doctor before the bald man follows.

Chapter 5

Paige

Iam running late for work, completely exhausted from last night’s events, and need a serious caffeine fix. I mobile order an extra-large iced-caramel latte as I rush out the door.

Fortunately, traffic is a little lighter than usual this Sunday evening—one of my favorite reasons for working weekends. Tonight is my first shift this week. I am on call and need the extra cash for our trip in a few months. I plan to shop like a starved animal throughout Europe.

Bre’s reaction to her birthday present has led to her non-stop interrupting my sleep today with phone calls and messages. She’s even gone as far as creating an entire Pinterest board full of ideas and attractions that are all must-see. I have already, more than once, had to remind her that we only have four weeks. I eventually just told her to call my travel agent, who I am sure will contact me at some point to tell my sister to back off.

I know this vacation will be life-changing for us, but my mind races with the remainder of my contract and how I haven’t told my sister I plan to take a travel assignment after we return from Europe.

A few months ago, I contacted a recruiter and planned to start the first week of October at the Denver Regional Trauma Center. It’s time for me to find myself. I am finally ready to be an adult and let my sister live life for herself.

Bre’s new boyfriend, Chris, seems to be someone who will be around for a while, and I don’t want to interfere in any way. I want them to fall in love, get married, and make me an aunt to as many babies as her heart desires. A small smile dances across my lips at that thought.

Back to focusing on the road, I turn into my favorite coffee shop before parking my car. I only have about ten minutes before my shift starts. The hospital is about seven minutes away.

If I run from the parking lot, I can make it with a minute to spare.

It is a little lie I always tell myself.

Lost in my plotting, I am halted by the scent of freshly brewed coffee. When I enter, the faint jingle of the doorbell echoes through the space as I momentarily linger in the doorway.

The rustic space is pretty empty. Only two middle-aged women are in line discussing what to order when I head towards the pick-up counter. I see several drinks, but none of them are mine. A different barista walks up with two additional beverages, and the doorbell chimes.

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