Page 84 of Doctor Hot Mess

The grease at Jimbo's Diner should keep me awake for another hour. Can you make it?

I’ll meet you there in twenty. Try not to fall asleep in your fries before I get there.

Jimbo’s Diner

2600 10th Avenue S, Birmingham

5:29 PM

The warm scentof grilled burgers and fried onions greets me as I step into the nostalgic diner. It’s a far cry from the sleek wedding venue of Mason's latest masterpiece, but there’s a charm to the place—checkered floors, red vinyl booths, and a jukebox that hasn’t worked in decades.

Jonah is already here, slouched in a booth with his long legs stretched out under the table. His head is tossed back, resting on the back of the booth. His scrubs are wrinkled, his hair disheveled, and he still looks like a million bucks.

"No sleeping in the booth, Sir," I announce as I walk up.

His tired smile lights up when he pulls his head up and sees me.

“Hey,” he says, scooting over to make room for me.

“Hey, yourself,” I reply, sliding into the booth. “You look like you’ve been through it.”

“You could say that,” he mutters, glancing at the laminated menu, even though I know he’s probably memorized it by now. “Man, Harper, it was a day today. Be glad you weren't on duty.”

A waitress in her sixties with a name tag reading “Patty” stops by with a pot of coffee. “What can I get you two?”

Jonah doesn’t hesitate. “Cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake. Please, and thank you.”

I smirk as I glance at the menu. “I’ll have the turkey club, side salad, and an iced tea, please.”

Patty jots down the order and gives Jonah a pointed look. “You sure you don't want a coffee? You're still as handsome as ever, but you look tired."

"Oh, Patty, you always deliver your sound advice in a love sandwich. That's why I keep coming back! Coffee sounds good. Thank you for the suggestion.”

"Decaf?"

Jonah grins, leaning back in the booth. “Where’s the fun in that, Patty?”

Even after an exhausting day, he has the stamina to still charm the pants off everyone around him. How could you not love this guy?

As soon as she’s gone, Jonah leans forward and rests his elbows on the table. “So, Lila’s officially going to rehab,” he starts. “They found a program just outside Charlotte. She leaves in three days.”

“Wow. That is quite the progress. That’s great,” I say, meaning it. “How’s she feeling about it?”

He lets out a breath, running a hand through his hair. “Nervous. But she’s committed. She said she wants to prove she can stick with it this time. And I think this could be the one.”

“And your parents?” I ask gently.

His lips quirk into a humorless smile. “They’re still stepping up. I continue to be impressed. My dad took out a HELOC to cover her debt. Lila’s agreed to make the payments once she’s out and working.”

“Well, hot damn,” I say, genuinely impressed. “That’s a big weight off of you, I know. I think it is the right course of action for all of you. It all sounds so wonderful, Jonah.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, tell me about it. I don’t know if it’s guilt, a midlife crisis, or what, but they’re trying. It’s weird.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“It’s not that,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s just hard to believe it. Let's say I'm cautiously optimistic. Maybe this time will be different.”

Patty returns with our food, and for a while, we eat in comfortable silence. Jonah devours his burger like he hasn’t eaten all day, and I steal a few of his fries when he’s not looking.

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