Page 28 of Doctor Hot Mess

“So glad you have family here with you,” I say softly, tucking my hands into my pockets. “You're in good hands.”

Lila’s lips curve into a faint smile, and Jonah’s gaze flickers to mine. There’s something in his expression—maybe gratitude, maybe curiosity—but I don’t linger long enough to untangle it.

I nod once, more to myself than to them, and head for the door. This whole situation is a mess of emotions I’m not ready to sort through. The good news is that she's healing and isn't alone. My job here is done.

The door closes softly behind me, and I have an extra pep in my step now that the mystery is solved and my patient is on the mend. I stop to say goodbye to the nurses at the nurse’s desk when his voice catches me off guard.

“Harper, wait.”

I turn to find him standing in the doorway, his expression as open and charming as ever, but with a gravity I don’t usually associate with him. It’s not that he’s never serious—it’s just that his usual brand of charm often smooths over moments like this. Today, though, there’s no humor or deflection in his eyes. Just sincerity.

“I just…” He rubs the back of his neck, his usual confidence replaced with something quieter. “I wanted to thank you. For taking care of her.”

I nod, unsure how to respond. “Of course. It’s my job," I say, defaulting to professionalism. "And I'm happy I could, especially knowing she belongs to you.”

“No,” he says firmly, his eyes meeting mine. “All of this wasn't your job. I know Lila, Harper. She didn’t feel alone because of you, and that’s…that’s huge. More than I can put into words.”

The emotion in his voice takes me off guard, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say. “She’s been through a lot. She deserved to have someone in her corner. Until we could figure out who that someone was, I was happy to be there for her.”

Jonah exhales, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I should’ve been that person. She showed up on my doorstep out of nowhere Friday night, and I...I didn’t do enough."

He pauses, and I can see there is more he wants to share, but it almost feels like he doesn't know how. "I thought it was just her being her, you know?"

No, I don't know, I want to say. But I don't. We aren't at that level anymore. I am a nurse, and he is a surgeon. Period. We aren't friends, and I'm not his therapist.

He continues, "But seeing her now, knowing what she’s been through…” He trails off, his voice tight, and for a moment, the ever-steady Jonah looks shaken.

“You’re here now,” I say, softening, unable to keep the professional hat on. “That’s what matters.”

His eyes meet mine, and something unspoken passes between us. For a second, I forget the wall I’ve built between us. He shifts his weight, his usual easy confidence tempered by something rawer.

His eyes lock onto mine, searching, and I can see the conflict there—the vulnerability he rarely lets show. “Look, I owe you an apology,” he says, his tone earnest.

“For what?” I ask, even though I already know he does. It comes as such a shock that I need to defer for a moment to wrap my mind around the fact that he’s addressing something deeper than surface happiness.

“For being an ass,” he says simply. “For making that stupid comment last week about us hooking up again. I wasn’t thinking, and I crossed a line. I treated you like you were just another one of my flings, and you’re not. You never were. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I did, and I’m sorry.”

His words couldn't have surprised me more if he told me he was joining a cult and moving to Uzbekistan. I'm speechless for a moment. “Thank you,” I say finally, my voice softer than I intended.

He leans against the wall, still watching me. “I don’t want us to stay stuck in this...weirdness,” he says, gesturing vaguely between us. “I miss how things were. I know I can’t undo what happened, but if there’s a chance we can get back somehow, I’d like that. I miss my friend.”

His openness takes me off guard. Jonah’s always been charming, but this isn't charm. This is raw in a way I’m not used to seeing from him. “I don’t know,” I say honestly. “It’s not just about what happened last week, Jonah. It’s about everything. I think we would need to address all of it so we both are clear on where we are coming from.”

“I get that,” he says, nodding slowly. “I'd like to try if you don't hate me too much that it isn't worth it.”

"I do still hate you a lot, but let me think about it. You're stunningly frustrating."

"That's an understatement. I even frustrate myself." He hesitates for a moment, then adds, “I’m going to stick around with Lila for a bit, but when I leave, can I call you? Maybe we could grab a drink or dinner and just talk.”

I hesitate, the weight of his request settling between us. But then I think about the way he’s been with Lila, the way he’s trying, and the part of me that misses our friendship more than I want to admit. “Alright,” I say finally. “You can call, but I can't guarantee I won't be completely booked with all of my social obligations.”

We both laugh, and there is a sliver of our normal, easy friendship peeking through. It feels good.

His cautious smile widens, and it's free of his usual bravado. “Thanks, Harper. I’ll try not to blow it this time.”

“Good luck,” I reply lightly, but the corners of my lips tug upward despite myself.

As I turn and walk away, I catch myself feeling lighter, as if the weight of the past week has finally started to lift.

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