Page 45 of Doctor Hot Mess

“Listen, Harp. I’m not saying Jonah’s some closet romantic planning your happily-ever-after, but you don’t know what it means if you’re sitting here playing the ‘What If’ Olympics instead of, I don’t know, talking to him. Or seeing where this goes. Maybe you’re making yourself crazy for nothing.”

“Or maybe I’m saving myself a disaster.”

“Or maybe,” he says, leaning forward with a smirk, “you’re being a control freak. Which is fine, but let me remind you of one little detail: you’re out of here in, what, two months? Worst-case scenario, you hook up, it fizzles, and you leave Birmingham with a couple of great orgasms and a good story. Best-case scenario... well, who knows? Either way, you’re not stuck here long enough to make it a big deal. So why not enjoy it?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It is simple, babe. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to read his mind or assume you know what he’s thinking. Just explore it. Or don’t. But sitting here spiraling? Not your best look.”

His words are like an open-handed slap to my face, as always. That's why I love this man. He doesn't hold back, and sometimes, I need that.

Jonah’s Condo

4:18 PM

The condo door swings open,and Jonah’s standing there in a plain black T-shirt and jeans, barefoot and holding a spatula like he’s been interrupted mid-flip. His brow furrows, then lifts in surprise when he sees me.

“Harper?” he says, his voice carrying equal parts confusion and curiosity. “What are you doing here?”

I hold up the Yeti water bottle in my hand. “Saw this at the gym. I knew it was yours and thought you might need it.”

His gaze flicks to the bottle, then back to me. “Man, I knew I forgot something this morning. I went early, and my brain wasn’t fully functioning yet. Thanks for grabbing it.”

“No problem,” I say, feeling a little self-conscious now. “I didn’t mean to interrupt—just thought I’d drop it off.”

Jonah’s lips curve into an easy smile, the kind that always makes it hard to tell what’s running through his head. “You’ve got perfect timing. I’m grilling burgers for Lila and me for an early dinner. She conks out early but was craving a cookout. So, it’s an early dinner for us. And I made extra. I’ve got a juicy one with your name on it. Come on in.”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose,” I start, but he’s already stepping aside, gesturing me in.

“You’re not imposing,” he insists. “It’s just burgers, Harper. Besides, Lila’s been looking forward to some company who isn’t me.”

That earns a laugh as I step inside. “Well, if you’re sure…”

“Positive,” he says, taking the water bottle from me and heading toward the kitchen. “Lila’s on the balcony soaking up some of this amazing spring sun. Make yourself at home.”

I follow him through the open floor plan to the sliding glass doors that lead to the balcony. The sight of it pulls me right back to last night. It’s the same spot where, not even twenty-four hours ago, his lips were on mine in this exact spot.

“Harper, you coming?” Jonah’s voice breaks through the memory, snapping me back to the present. He slides the door open and steps aside, gesturing for me to follow. The corner of his mouth quirks up, curious but casual, as if he’s completely unaware of the storm still brewing in my chest.

“Yeah, sorry,” I mutter, shaking off the thought as I step outside. The balcony feels different in the light of day, the tension of last night replaced by the easy warmth of the afternoon sun.

Lila is stretched out in a chair, a glass of iced water in hand and a blanket draped over her lap despite the warm weather. She perks up when she sees me.

“Harper! I didn’t know you were coming by.”

“Neither did I,” I admit with a smile. “I just got done at the gym and wanted to bring Jonah's water bottle by. I'm not staying.”

"Jonah would forget his head if it weren't attached. And you better stay. Too much testosterone running through this place, and I'm stuck."

"I'm sweaty, and y'all are about to eat?—_

She cuts me off, "I said stay. I mean it. Sit down,” she says, motioning to the chair beside her. “He’s been driving me crazy with his grilling experiments, and I need someone besides him to talk to.”

“Hey,” Jonah protests from the grill. “Those ‘experiments’ have been excellent, thank you very much.”

“Sure,” Lila drawls. “If you like charcoal-flavored everything.”

I laugh, settling into the chair as Jonah feigns offense, flipping a burger with exaggerated flair. “You’ve got jokes, huh? Just wait till you taste this masterpiece.”

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