Page 43 of Reputation
A doctor who’d studied at Harvard, Eric currently worked at Johns Hopkins.He had a point about location being an issue, but both were the “distance makes the heart grow fonder” types.
“Well, based on the reason you broke up with your last girlfriend, I’d say a woman busy with her own career would be perfect for you,” she replied.
“A woman busy with her career, yes, but not one that’s busy in another country.I doubt it would work.”
“What about the offer you received from Wilson Hospital?Your career could bring you to Toronto.”
“I haven’t decided yet.It’s a really good offer.I’m just not sure it’s the right move for me,” he responded, shrugging.
“Well, girlfriends aside, I would love to have you here.I’ve missed you so much, and it would be great if you were close by,” she said, leaning her elbows on the counter.
“I’ve missed you too.It would be nice to be here and closer to Mom and Dad.I worry about Dad sometimes, running the farm alone.It would just be a big change for me, not that this new job wouldn’t be rewarding.It’s just a tough decision to make.”
Nodding sympathetically, Eavie said, “Well, I know you’ll do what you think is best for you, and I don’t want to influence your decision.It would just be nice to have you around.Anyway, enough with the serious talk.We have a lot to catch up on, and you must be hungry.”
Turning the pizza box toward him, he grabbed a slice as Eavie picked up the glasses of wine and moved around the island to sit on the stool beside him.
“Oh hey, guess who I ran into?Patrick O’Toole.He plays for the Royals.”Eavie said with a fond smile.
“Right, I’d heard they drafted him,” Eric said around a bit of pizza.“How’s he doin’?”
“He’s good, doing well so far this season.He says hi, by the way.”
“Tell him I say hi back.It’s too bad I have to head back to Baltimore on Tuesday.I would have liked to stop by and see him.”
“Well, you’ll have to come to a game soon.I can arrange for you to visit,” Eavie said.
Eric chuckled.“Are you trying to bribe me to come visit you again soon?”
Eavie couldn’t stop her smile.“Is it working?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
They stayed in the kitchen chatting for a while, Eric eating the last slices of pizza as they sipped on their wine.
“Why don’t you head to bed, and I’ll tidy up,” she said, popping off her stool.She collected the glasses and plates and placed them in her sink to rinse.
“What time do you want to leave tomorrow?”Eric asked, bringing the pizza box over to the garbage.
“I was thinking around ten.That’ll get us there for lunch.”
“Works for me.Thanks for dinner,” he said, dropping a kiss to the top of her head.“I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight,” she said over her shoulder.Turning back to the dishes, she rinsed them before placing each in the dishwasher.Moving through her apartment, she flipped the deadbolt on the front door and turned off the lights before heading to her bedroom.
She was looking forward to being back home with her parents.Spending time baking with her mom and drinking coffee on the porch in the crisp autumn morning sounded like heaven after the rollercoaster that had been the last two weeks.Maybe she’d even go for a ride.Taking Snow for a run always helped clear her head, and God knew she needed to.
Chapter Seventeen
Eavie
“Hey!”Eavie exclaimed when her brother reached across the dash, shutting off Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso she had been happily singing along to.
“You have a terrible voice,” Eric said, laughing as he selected a soft Hozier playlist instead.
“Rude!I have a great voice.I could practically be Sabrina Carpenter,” she replied in indignation.
