Page 37 of Doctor Hot Mess

Lila raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to go on.

“She’s the kind of person who actually cares, you know?” I continue, my voice quieter. “About her patients, her friends… me. I was immature and treated her like just another girl. Mistake number one. Making a joke about it, mistake number two.”

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Lila says, crossing her arms. “You think you’re the only one with baggage? Newsflash: Everyone’s got something. But she sees through your bullshit, right? That’s worth more than you realize.”

“Yeah, well, I think I might’ve screwed up any chance of fixing things.”

Lila leans forward, her expression softening. “Jonah, you’re a lot of things—some of them questionable—but you’re not a quitter. If you want to fix this, do it. Apologize. Be honest. And maybe, I don’t know, stop being such a coward.”

"Easy, tiger," I urge her. I didn't intend to get advice from my little sister who can't seem to get her shit together.

Lila leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. Her expression shifts, losing its teasing edge. “Jonah, let me give you some sisterly advice: You need to make a move.”

“I already apologized,” I say, exhaling sharply. “I told her I was an idiot for what I said, and we’re…better now, I think. Back on good terms. Sort of.”

“Apologizing is great,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Gold star for you. But if you’re serious about Harper, you’ve got to show her she’s not just another one-night thing. She needs to know she’s different.”

I pause, fiddling with the edge of my coffee cup. “What if I’m not ready for that? I never said I wanted to get serious with her or anyone.”

"You didn't have to."

"I don't know what I want."

Lila tilts her head, studying me. “Then you need to decide what that is, Jonah. You don’t get to keep your foot in both lanes. If you want to keep being a player, fine—stay in your lane and own it. But if you want someone like Harper, you’ve got to step up. That means commitment, effort, and a lot less running away when things get messy.”

Her words are like a thousand-pound weight on my chest. “And what if she wouldn't be interested in a guy like me? She knows my history. Our history. What if I blew my shot?”

Lila leans back, her smirk returning. “You’ll never know unless you ask. But don’t half-ass it. Talk to her. Be real with her. And stop being so scared of what might happen or that she might say no. That is entirely possible, but you won't know until you broach it.”

“Easy for you to say,” I mutter. “You’re not the one who has to risk making an idiot out of yourself.”

“Oh, please.” She waves a hand dismissively. “If I can face down debt collectors and admit I need rehab, you can ask a girl where she stands.”

I bark out a laugh, shaking my head. “You really know how to drive the point home.”

“That’s why I’m the smarter sibling,” she says, her grin widening. “But seriously, Jonah. She’s worth it. I personally love her. Don’t be too scared to find out if this thing with her could be something real.”

I sit back, letting her words settle. Lila’s not wrong—about Harper or me. I’ve spent years keeping things easy, avoiding the risk of getting too close, but maybe it’s time to stop running.

“Alright,” I say finally, tossing some cash on the table for the check. “Let’s get out of here.”

As we head for the door, Lila nudges me with her elbow. “You’re really going to do it, huh?”

I glance at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “We’ll see.”

“Don’t ‘we’ll see’ me, Jonah,” she says, laughing. “Shit or get off the pot.”

I chuckle, shaking my head as I push open the door. For the first time in a long time, I’m thinking about what might happen if I stop holding back—and the thought doesn’t terrify me as much as it used to.

FOURTEEN

Harper

Saturday, February 28

Jonah’s Condo

4:49 PM

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