Page 23 of Keep This Promise
Still, I don’t know these people, and while I made a mistake, a miracle came from it. Eden has enriched my life beyond measure, and I don’t regret my decision or the consequences from it.
I say that now with three years distance. That day, I regretted every second.
Holden smiles warmly. “I promise, it won’t be bad.”
“Holden? Is that you?” calls a tall woman with dark brown hair. She’s wearing a white coat and holding a tablet as she approaches. I can’t think of any other word to describe her other than striking. She’s slim, but not too skinny, and she walks proudly. It’s clear she’s confident and someone with an air of authority.
“Hey, Kate. I’m not really here,” he replies. “I just came to grab a few things from my office and bring my friend Sophie and Eden in to see where I work.”
She blinks and then looks at us both. “Hi!” Her eyes are soft and kind. “I’m Kate Dehring, I don’t think we’ve met before.”
I extend my hand. “I’m Sophie, an old friend of Holden’s who just came into town.”
Kate looks down at Eden and then to Holden. “Oh. How nice.”
Holden places his hand on my back. “We have a lunch date and are running behind, did you need me for something?”
Kate shakes her head. “It can wait. I just wanted you to consult on a patient, but I can ask Dr. Trumble.”
“I know how much you love him.”
Kate snorts. “Yeah, he’s a peach.”
“If it can wait, I’ll be back in a day or so. I’m taking some time off to spend with these two.”
“Of course. It’s nothing urgent. We can spend time talking about everything another day, but if something changes, I’ll call or text you. Have a great time at lunch.” She waves as she walks down the hall. “Nice to meet you, Sophie. I’m sure we’ll see each other a lot since you’ll be around Holden.”
“Nice meeting you too.”
Holden walks us down the hall and out to the car. The entire time my mind is racing. Something about that encounter leaves me uncomfortable. She’s very pretty, I wonder if . . . God, I never even considered that he might be dating someone. He must be, considering how handsome and successful he is.
Oh, Sophie, will you ever learn not to be attracted to a man you can’t have or that doesn’t want you?
This unnerves me to my core. I just lost my husband, and here I am, thinking of another man. True, Theo and I weren’t really married, but still, I’m being ridiculous. I can’t be truly attracted to Holden, can I?
He’s kind, smart, incredibly good-looking, I know he’s . . . well-endowed, and he’s Eden’s father. It’s also been a very, very long time since I’ve looked at another man with any possibility. This is a daft idea. I’m clearly not thinking straight and not dealing well with the new status of my life—known as the hot mess.
Still, when we get to his car, I turn to him. “Are you dating her?” I ask, instantly hating myself for blurting it out.
“Who? Kate?” he asks, seeming confused.
“It just seemed like you wanted to get us away from her or . . . I don’t know. I was just curious if you’re dating?” I wish I could disappear like the puffs of air from the heat of our breaths.
“Absolutely not. First, I don’t date doctors or nurses. Anyone in this hospital is off limits. I learned that lesson in Los Angeles. Second, she’s dating George, who is a deputy here. I like George, and he is literally the doofiest guy I’ve ever met, so it’s entertaining to watch them together. I don’t go after attached people—oh, and I’m not attracted to her anyway.”
“It’s none of my business. I don’t know what came over me just now. I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to . . .”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just telling you that you don’t have to worry about being the baby mama in some strange love triangle. There’s no one who will try to run you off, not that I would let them anyway, considering who you and Eden are to me.”
I don’t know why that comforts me, but it does. It also stirs a new layer of questions as to where I stand with him.
When he said it, I wanted to sink into him.
I force a smile. “I appreciate your honesty and kindness.”
“I’ll always be honest with you. I don’t like secrets and lies. I’ve watched two of my friends almost lose their lives because of them.”
“What do you mean?”
