Page 67 of Keeping It Professional

“You can’t save every patient, or every relationship.” Brian patted my shoulder. “Sometimes people die, or things don’t work out. But that doesn’t mean you don’t try your best. Would you dump a patient because he’s circling the drain?”

Had I jumped on that day as an excuse to leave Sophie? To deny myself happiness because I’d failed Nick?

“You love her, don’t you?”

I closed my eyes. I did. Of course I loved Sophie, so much it hurt.

“I’ll help you clean up.” Brian reached for a trash bag. “But after that, the rest is on you. You need to decide if you want to live, or if you want to stay stagnant, stuck in the past.”

I grabbed a sack of my own. Brian was right. I had a choice to make, one I’d pretended I didn’t. If I wanted to call Sophie, I could do that. I could be happy, or at least try. Maybe I deserved it and maybe I didn’t. Maybe I could earn it, starting with Sophie’s forgiveness. Forgive myself, maybe. I could start there.

“Thanks,” I said.

“Mm?”

“For not giving up on me.”

“You’re worth it.” Brian jostled me. “Pray Sophie agrees.”

CHAPTER 24

SOPHIE

Iwas asleep when the flood struck, sprawled on my couch. I’d face-planted there after a long double shift, and when my phone rang, I answered half-dreaming.

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry. Is Sophie Reeves home?”

I sniffed and sat up. “Uh-huh. That’s me.”

“Oh! This is Clive. You don’t sound like yourself. You aren’t sick, are you?”

I should’ve said yes and gone back to bed. Instead, I pinched myself. “No. I’m okay.”

“Good. Then, we need you. It’s all hands on deck.” He explained that the rain we’d been having all day had set off a flash flood in a nearby town. With the flood had come a massive landslide. “Normally, the locals would have it in hand, but they were having their annual fair. The slide ran right through it, through all those tourists, so anyone free, we’re asking?—”

I was already halfway out the door, zipping my coat up. Inhaling a protein bar. “No worries, Clive. I’m on my way.”

“Thanks so much, Sophie. You’re the best.”

Through most of my drive, my mind was on coffee: where I could stop for some, how fast I could drink it. How much I’d need to get through the day. I filled up my Thermos at a greasy truck stop, and got an extra cup to drink in the car. By the time I arrived, I was glass-eyed and buzzing, ready to take on whatever the day brought.

“Paramedic?” A cop ran up as I parked my car. “Head straight for the triage tent. They’ll direct you from there.”

I grabbed my bag and set out, and I made it three steps. Three steps, and I froze. My heart took a dive. I couldn’t breathe.

“No way. Noway.”

The man by the triage tent had his back turned. His dark hair was drenched, plastered flat to his neck. I knew him anyway, by his shape. By his stance. By the way he was gesturing as he issued commands. Even the dumb way he pulled down his cuffs, like they wouldn’t ride up again the second he moved.

“Miles.”

He turned like he’d heard me, though the rain drowned my voice. His brows shot up, and he broke off mid-sentence.

“Sophie? You’re here?”

I couldn’t tell from his tone if he was happy to see me, or if he was angry, or felt anything at all. And I didn’t have time to figure it out. Next thing I knew, I was paired up with Miles, assigned toa parking lot hit by the landslide. Our job was to help dig out the drowned cars, and anyone trapped alive, we were to help them.

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