Page 91 of Doctor Hot Mess

“Yes,” I admit. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Jonah. But I also don’t want to walk away from this. From us.”

His lips press into a thin line, and he nods slowly. “Right.”

I feel a lump rising in my throat. “I know it’s a lot to spring on you, but I didn’t want to make the decision without talking to you.”

Jonah stands abruptly, crossing the room to lean against the kitchen counter. “Harper, I don’t know what you want me to say.”

I blink, startled by the sharpness in his tone. “I just thought we could talk about it. Figure out how to make it work if I go.”

He exhales sharply, shaking his head. “Make it work? You’d be across the goddamn Pacific Ocean, Harper. Six months is a long time. Hell, two weeks from now doesn’t even give us a chance to figure out where this—whatever this is—is going.”

I don't tell him I only have days to decide. Two weeks is when I would leave.

“I know it’s not ideal,” I say, my voice trembling. “But it’s not forever. And it’s important to me.”

“I get that,” he says, his tone quieter now but still tense. “I do. And I’m not saying you shouldn’t take it. But Jesus, Harper, you’re dropping this on me out of nowhere. What do you want me to say? That I’m fine with it? That it doesn’t matter?”

“That’s not fair,” I snap, standing now, too. “I’m trying to be honest with you. To figure this out together.”

Jonah shakes his head, looking away. “I need to clear my head,” he says finally, his voice flat. “I’ll probably just crash at my place tonight. Early day tomorrow.”

The words hit like a punch to the chest. “Jonah?—”

“Look, I’m tired, Harper,” he cuts me off. “We’ll talk later, okay?”

He grabs his bag without another word and walks out the door before I can stop him.

I sink back onto the couch, the room suddenly too quiet. My chest feels hollow. His reaction was worse than I could have imagined. I don’t blame him for being upset, but I wasn’t expecting him to shut down like that.

A knock at the door jolts me from my thoughts, and my heart leaps despite myself. Maybe he changed his mind. Maybe he cooled off and came back to talk it out.

I rush to the door, smoothing my hair as I reach for the handle. But when I open it, my breath catches—not with relief, but with disappointment. The Uber Eats driver stands there, holding a large brown bag and a smile that’s way too cheerful for my current state.

“Thai food for Harper?” he says, his voice chipper.

“Yeah,” I say weakly, forcing a small smile as I take the bag. “Thanks.”

He nods and heads back to his car, and I stand there for a moment, clutching the warm bag in my hands. The scent of lemongrass and spices wafts up, but instead of making me hungry, it just makes the knot in my stomach twist tighter.

I close the door and set the bag on the counter, staring at it like it might explode. There’s no way I can eat right now—not with my appetite completely obliterated. But the sight of all the food, enough for two people, makes the ache in my chest sharper.

I grab a fork and carry one of the containers to the sofa. Out of habit more than anything else, I open it. Pad Thai, perfectly sauced and still steaming. Jonah’s favorite. I poke at it halfheartedly before setting it aside. I’m completely beside myself.

This isn’t how tonight was supposed to go. And now, instead of clarity, I’m left with unanswered questions and a growing sense of dread.

THIRTY-THREE

Jonah

Jonah’s Condo

7:18 PM

I savorthe silence and solitude and curse it. Lila has already gone to her room for the night, which I appreciate, and my parents are at their hotel. The three of them leave for North Carolina to check Lila into rehab in the morning.

The sound of a sharp knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. I glance at the clock. Who the hell is knocking this late? My stomach twists as I stand with the weight of my conversation with Harper still fresh and raw in my chest.

When I open the door, two uniformed police officers stand on the other side. Their expressions are firm but professional. I recognize them immediately as the men who came to the hospital asking about Lila.

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