Page 42 of Nicky

“Ah, that explains it. You’re bored and lonely.”

The corner of my mouth twitched. “How’s San Francisco?”

“Expensive. Crowded. Beautiful. You know the drill.”

Before I could reply, Mom’s voice cut in, loud and dramatic as ever. “Is that Markus? Leah, let me talk to my son!”

There was a shuffle, then her voice came through louder. “Markus! You better not be skipping meals again. I’ve told you before, doctors are the worst patients. You looked thin in that last picture you sent.”

“I’m eating, Mom,” I said, eyeing my half-eaten sandwich on the desk. “A very nutritious sandwich.”

“Nutritious?” she shot back. “What’s in it?”

I sighed, leaning closer as if she could somehow sense the sandwich through sheer maternal intuition. “Turkey.”

“And?”

“Mayo. Cheese.”

She sighed like I’d confessed to a crime. “No vegetables? Markus, you can’t live on bread and cold cuts. What kind of doctor are you?”

Leah’s laugh crackled through the speaker. “He’s a single one, Mom. That’s why his diet’s so tragic.”

I rolled my eyes, glancing at the sandwich like it had personally betrayed me. “Glad to see you two have teamed up against me,” I muttered, though my lips twitched in a reluctant smile.

“How’s it at Juniper Haven?”

“Juniper Hollow,” I corrected.

“Hollow? Even the name sounds lonely. You need someone to fill that place up, Markus. I’m telling you.”

Leah snorted in the background. “Don’t worry, Mom. He can’t wait for you to visit. Right, Markus?”

I choked on my laughter. “I can’t wait,” I deadpanned.

“Oh, I’d love to visit! Maybe for Easter. Yes, that sounds perfect. Leah, make a note. Easter in Juniper Hollow. Now, let me tell you both what I found at the thrift store today?—”

“Mom, the kids are too quiet,” Leah interrupted, a trace of mischief in her tone. “I think they’re destroying your Christmas village.”

“Those little monsters!” The sound of her hurried footsteps followed. “Chris!” she called, referring to my brother-in-law, Leah’s husband. “Keep an eye on them! They’re tearing apart Bethlehem!”

“Thank God.” The sound of Leah’s voice shifted—closer, clearer, evidence that she’d switched off the speakerphone.“Mom will be busy now for at least ten minutes. You’re welcome.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’re evil.”

“Efficient,” she corrected. She paused. “So, seriously, have you met anyone?”

I tensed, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms. “Define ‘met.’”

“Markus!”

“There’s… someone,” I admitted, my throat tight.

Her voice softened. “Tell me about him.”

“Nicholas. He’s nothing like Josh.”

“Hallelujah! Is he cute?”

---