Page 85 of Doctor Hot Mess

“So,” I say, popping a fry into my mouth, “what’s it like being the golden child of the Bellinger family now that your parents are stepping up for Lila?”

He chuckles, wiping his hands on a napkin. “Golden child? Nah. More like the guy who thought he had to fix everything for everyone.” He pauses, shaking his head slightly. “I didn’t even realize how much of a weight that was until recently.”

I tilt my head, studying him. “And now?”

He meets my eyes, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips. “Now, it’s nice to feel like it’s not all on me. Like I can help without being the one to carry the whole damn load. And... you were right. I hate admitting that,” he adds with a smirk, his tone lightening, “but you were.”

“Right about what?” I ask, feigning innocence.

“You don’t need to rub it in,” he says, rolling his eyes. “But yeah, letting Lila handle her own shit—with support, not me swooping in and solving it—was the right move. It’s better for her, and honestly, it’s better for me.”

I smile, reaching across the table to touch his hand briefly. “I think they call that growth, Jonah.”

He shrugs, though his expression softens. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to me giving you credit. I’m not in the business of personal growth,” he says with a genuine laugh. “I’m a surgeon, hear me roar.”

“Ah, the glue,” I tease. “Holding everything together with sheer willpower and a steady diet of greasy diner food.”

“Don’t knock it,” he replies, grinning. “Caffeine, adrenaline, and bacon cheeseburgers—it’s a flawless system.”

“For now,” I counter, raising an eyebrow. “But one day, your body’s going to stage a full rebellion, and you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”

He smirks, leaning back in the booth. “You offering to nurse me back to health when that happens?”

“Depends,” I say with a smirk of my own. “I demand excellent bedside manner.”

“I've got more bedside manner than you can handle, Missy,” he says, raising his milkshake like a toast.

After we finish our meal, Jonah walks me to my car. His hand brushes against mine as we walk, and I feel a true connection with him that seems to strengthen every time we are together..

“Thanks for meeting me,” he says, his voice low. “I needed this: food and your company. These two things are my fuel.”

“Anytime,” I reply, meaning it.

With that, he closes the distance between us. His hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin as he tilts my face toward his. When his lips meet mine, it’s not rushed or tentative—it’s deep, purposeful, and filled with everything we haven’t said out loud.

I melt into him, and the world fades away until it’s just us in the dim glow of the parking lot. His other hand finds my waist, pulling me closer, and I grip his shirt to steady myself, my heart pounding in my chest.

When he finally pulls back, his eyes search mine, a quiet intensity in them that makes my breath catch. “I need to go by my place to grab a few,” he murmurs, his voice low and warm. "Are you okay if I come back to yours afterward? I want to hold you tonight."

“Absolutely,” I manage, my voice softer than I intended. "I would be offended if you didn't."

As I watch him walk to his car, my lips tingle from the kiss. Crippling anxiety steals the joy, though, as my mind circles back to the Hawaii offer and Mason’s words.

Fuck. Why does he have to be so perfect?

THIRTY-ONE

Jonah

Jonah’s Condo

7:07 PM

I park outside my building.The familiar sight of my condo complex feels oddly foreign after spending most of my time lately at Harper’s. The thought of her waiting for me back at her place makes me want to grab my stuff and head right back. But as I climb the steps to my door, I hear voices inside—my family.

Sweet. Exactly what I want to deal with after the day I've had.

I step inside, immediately met with the sight of my mom perched on the edge of the sofa, clutching a mug of tea like it’s the only thing keeping her upright.

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