Page 49 of One Sweet Day I Found You

The door swung open and a customer walked in. She headed for the apparel section and started browsing through a stack of sweatshirts. He refocused his gaze on some paperwork behind the counter.

The more he thought about it, the more he appreciated his dad’s attempt at stepping in, regarding readmission to med school.

Nick chuckled to himself. At worst, the attempt said his dad was a control freak who wouldn’t take no for an answer. But at best, it said his dad still wanted him in his life—that he still believed in him, that he’d sacrifice a little of his pride to try to get his son back.

That was progress, right?

But Nick knew all thetime for changestuff going through his head wasn’t just because of his talk with Kenny. If it had happened a few months ago, Nick probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought. Something had changed.

And that something was actually asomeone. Courtney.

He had feelings for her. She was interesting to talk to, she lit up any room she walked into, and she was fun. She also brought out the best in him, and she saw the best in him. He glanced at the ceiling and sighed, crossing his arms. He wanted to measure up.

Saving lives really made him tick. He’d have to stop kidding himself about that. But not in the way his father and brother did it.

And just because he failed out of med school didn’t mean he was a failure at everything to do with medicine.

But he was just putting off until tomorrow what he should be figuring out today. He owed it to Courtney, his parents—and himself—to start focusing on the big picture again.

His brother was right. It was time to stop running. He should be working full-time as a paramedic and riding bicycles on the side, not the other way around. His mother was right. It had been long enough.

He desperately wanted to feel like he truly deserved Courtney.

In the meantime, it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that his heart ached to see her.

He paced around the store, stopping to check on the shopper with the sweatshirts.

“You doing okay?”

“Fine, thanks.” She moved on to something else. He returned to the counter, found his phone again, and pulled up Courtney’s name on his message app.

What are you doing Wednesday? I want to take you somewhere.

The new schedule came out on Mondays, and he’d been amped to see that he had a full day off this week.

Another couple of customers came in and asked about a compact bicycle pump. When Nick finished with them and finally had the chance to check his phone again.

I’m in. Where are we going?

He messaged back.

It’s a surprise. I’ll be your tour guide. Bring a notebook and a change of clothes for dinner.

Courtney replied with an emoji beside her text. Smiley face with hearts for eyes.

Can’t wait.

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