Page 13 of Still The One

I raise my doughnut in response.

The playful banter between us is easy, a natural flow that makes me feel like I’ve known Eve for much longer than just these few interactions. As we both take a bite of our chosen pastries, a comfortable silence settles between us.

The atmosphere around us buzzes with energy, the mix of excited chatter and the sweet aroma of doughnuts creating the perfect backdrop for our growing connection. I find myself stealing glances at her, admiring the way her eyes light up with each enthusiastic topic we touch upon.

‘So, Miss Cassidy, what other hidden gems of Portland should I know about?’ I inquire, genuinely interested in her perspective on this city that she calls home.

Eve’s eyes narrow playfully as she leans back in her seat. ‘Ah, so you’re looking for insider tips now? Well, buckle up, because Portland has a lot more to offer than weird doughnut shops.’

She starts rattling off a list of quirky places and hidden gems around the city. From a tiny bookstore with a resident cat named Whiskers to a cozy speakeasy hidden behind an unassumingdoor in an alley, her excitement is infectious. I listen intently, hanging on her every word as she paints vivid pictures of each location with her animated descriptions. As she speaks, I can’t help but marvel at how effortlessly charming she is. Her passion for her city shines through in every recommendation, and I find myself falling even more under her spell.

‘Wow, I never knew Portland had so much to offer,’ I say, genuinely impressed by Eve’s knowledge of her city.

She chuckles, her eyes crinkling at the corners with amusement. ‘Oh, this is just the beginning. Portland is full of surprises if you know where to look.’

I lean in closer, intrigued by the idea of discovering more of this city with her by my side. ‘Then I’m counting on you to show me all the hidden gems only a true Portlander would know.’

A playful glint sparkles in her eyes as she nods, and her smirk widens into a grin. ‘How long are you here for?’

I playfully drum my fingers on the table, pretending to contemplate. ‘Hmm, let’s see… I could probably stick around long enough to explore a few of these “weird” places you speak of,’ I say.

Eve leans back in her seat again, crossing one leg over the other. ‘Well then, it’s settled. Consider me your official Portland guide until further notice,’ she declares with a mock air of authority, her tone light and playful.

A warm feeling spreads through me at the thought of spending more time with her. ‘I’ve never looked forward to anything more – besides, of course, this date.’

‘Date?’ she asks with a surprised smile. ‘Is that what this is?’

I shrug. ‘Did you try on more than one outfit?’

She drops her head, pink filling her cheeks. ‘Maybe…’

‘Me too, Evie. Me too.’

Relief fills her face and her shock at me titling this a date fades away as we both fall into an easy silence, savoring the lastbits of our doughnuts as the noise of the shop surrounds us. It’s in these quiet moments that I find myself watching her closely, noticing the way her laughter lines crinkle when she smiles and how her eyes light up with every story she tells – and I realize I might be in Portland for years with this woman if I’m not careful.

6

EVE CASSIDY

‘You took time off?’ Kait asks, surprise in her voice as we stand in line at the hospital Starbucks. She’s in her usual pastel-colored scrubs and I’m in black leggings, an oversized Timber hoodie, black Converse, with a bag stuffed full of things to entertain Foster hanging off one shoulder.

‘I only have a million vacation days stacked up, and HR wasn’t pleased with me calling in sick for three days in a row, so yeah. Gen thought this would be smarter because Dale is irritated with having to replace me last minute every morning.’

‘I get that, but you’re spending your vacation days at work, in the ICU, with your comatose ex-husband. That’s not healthy.’

‘Currently I’m concerned more about his health than mine. He’s alone, Kait. I can’t leave him until I know he’ll pull out of this. He’s got no one else. If it were you, Gen or Jess, I’d do the same,’ I offer, hoping she’ll understand.

‘That’s because you love us. We hate Foster, remember?’

Hate is a strong word. But one that I truly believed I felt except for one day a year until he showed up in my trauma room a few days ago. Now my insides are muddy and I can’t figure out what I feel, but I know I can’t let him do this alone.

‘Of course I remember.’ A break-up like that isn’t something you forget. ‘But honestly, how bad could things get with him? He can’t talk or work, and those are pretty much his biggest flaws, right?’

‘What are you going to do today if he can’t talk? Admire his pretty face?’

‘Noooo,’ I say. ‘I did that yesterday.’ And the day before, and the one before that too – not that I’m reminding her of that. ‘Today, I chose a variety of things. Cards, my iPad so I can annoy him with shows he hates, and a book; I may even clean out my purse while I’m here.’

‘Wow. Reading, binge-watching, solitaire, and purse cleaning; sounds like a full day. What it doesn’t sound like is a vacation. You do realize this could be the worst idea ever.’

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