Page 28 of Not Catching Love

“Then do it.”

Don’t fucking tempt me, dammit. “I can’t.” I’m firm about that. “But one day, I might be able to move up this way.”

“Or finally take off doing all that nurse stuff you want to do.”

That’s one thing I’m confident will never happen. “Maybe that too,” I lie. Hypocritical of me, considering I told Xander he should be truthful, but no matter what people think of me, I’m far from perfect. Which includes the lying. Sue me.

Manny hooks a thumb back over his shoulder. “Want to stay for lunch?”

After him insisting he’d pick me up, I really should stay for a while before he has to drop me home, but then I picture myphone ringing. Having to explain to him why I need to get back. Trying to justify my inappropriate attachment to a patient.

But worse than all of that is Xander. Xander showing up to the pharmacy and me not being there to help him.

I give Manny a tight smile, already dreading the words I’m about to say. Iwantto stay, but I can’t.

“I can’t today.”

“Damn, huh?” He sweeps a hand over his face. “Maybe next time?”

“For sure.”

That’s a lie as well.

Chapter Eleven

Xander

“So … why is this a secret again?” Seven asks, pulling his car up out the front of the nursing home.

“Because I don’t want Aggy to be mad at me.”

Seven splutters. “I don’t want her mad withmeeither. Tell me you’re not going to try and muscle her into a place like this. You know she’ll never go.”

“If she keeps annoying me, she will.” I chew on my bottom lip, not sure how much to tell Seven. Knowing my luck, he’ll tattle to Molly, who’ll say something to Aggy during their weekly baking. “I really like spending time with the old people.”

“The … old people. Do you call them that?”

“Sometimes.”

“Do they hate you?”

“Probably, but not for that.” I grin at him innocently.

“Here’s an idea.” He reaches across me to pop open mydoor. “Don’t insult their age and try to get to know them. We should be so lucky to live the lives they have.”

“Youwill.” He and Molly will have long, happy lives. “I’m fully committed to dying in my thirties.”

“You shouldn’t put that out into the universe.”

“I’m not. The universe is putting it on me.” Besides, as far as I’m concerned, my Bertha brothers will likely be sick of me by then, so it’s as good of a time as any to go. If nothing else gets me, heartache can. It sounds morbidly romantic. Maybe if I have it etched onto my tombstone, someone in fifty years will read it and be sad for me.

“You get yearly blood tests, and you’re always perfectly fine. Stop talking yourself into it.”

“My white blood cells were up last time.”

“Only from your previous test.” Seven laughs. “They were still within range.”

That’s what he thinks. They might be in the average range, but the elevated levels weren’t averagefor me. Which means there’s something going on with me, and the doctor wouldn’t sign off on the extra testing I requested. If I drop dead tomorrow, I’ve given Seven strict instructions to sue him.

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