Page 25 of He Saved My Boy
I’ve been staringat this screen for the past hour. I’m supposed to be catching up on my charts, but the moment I click on Connor Frost’s file, my eyes have been glued to his emergency contact number. My thumb itches to swipe open my phone and call Teagan. I’m certain she’s due to leave tomorrow, but it could have been today.
Either way, if she’d wanted to reach out to me, she would have, right?
I didn’t think to ask for her number. Hell, both times, we’ve never had the chance to say goodbye. No, each time, emergencies have taken us away. As much as it was a shock to see her again, I’m glad to know the reason she left so abruptly.
I could just call her—it’s right here.
But that would violate her privacy.
I’ve already crossed into the murky gray area due to our prior relations and not disclosing it with anyone. Snagging her number for personal use would just keep that line further blurred.
No. I shouldn’t do this.
She clearly hasn’t wanted to reach out, and I should just take that as a sign that whatever went on between us is over.
But why am I still staring at those ten measly digits?
Of course, I’ve already memorized them, but I’m not sure I should use them.
I’m not used to getting a girl’s number—so it didn’t even occur to me that I’d want it later. We knew the stakes—we had a few days. Then it’s back to my life at the hospital, and she’d be whatever she does regularly.
So why can’t I stop thinking about her?
Not only hasn’t she reached out, but she’s a single mom. That thought alone makes me pause.
All my memories suddenly take on new meaning, knowing the real reason she’s put her own needs on the back burner. I’m certain it’s because she’s always a mom first. Which of course is how it should be. I still don’t know her backstory, or whether Connor’s dad is in the picture, and maybe I’ll never know. But I can’t for the life of me, stop thinking about her.
I should just close the chart and forget about her. It’s not like things between us can go anywhere. I’m starting a new job, and she has her son to think of. I’m sure I’m the last thing on her mind now that they’re heading back to Seattle.
“Hey, stranger,” brings me back to reality.
It’s Caitlyn, a fellow nurse and a woman I’ve hooked up with occasionally since arriving in Austin. It started out as friends and turned to friends with benefits when neither of us are seeing anyone else. But neither of us caught feelings or have any expectations for the other.
She doesn’t wait for me to respond. “Wanna grab a beer tonight and hang out?”
She and I both know hanging out typically leads to us ending up in bed, but what once was a mutually satisfying venture, doesn’t even interest me. It has nothing to do with her being undesirable—I’m just not in the right head space.
“Nah, I have to finish these charts. With only another few weeks left here, I can’t get behind.” By her cringe, I can tell something’s on her mind. “What’s up?”
With a playful smile, she shrugs. “I wanted to butter you up to ask for a favor. One of my good friends is about to lose her fig orchard, and we’re making a calendar. One of the guys backed out and…” She crinkles her nose but doesn’t continue.
This uncertainty is completely out of character for Caitlyn, so I can’t figure out why she’s suddenly acting weird. “What does this have to do with me?”
“I was kinda hoping I could talk you into filling in for him.”
“Uh… why would anyone want a photo of me? They don’t even know me.”
Her eyes roll to the back of her head as she sighs with disapproval. “Davis…” she says pointedly, “have you bothered to look in a mirror lately?”
“Now you’re just being ridiculous,” I guffaw. She’s clearly out of her mind if she thinks I’d be interested in doing something like this.
“Seriously, Davis, I need your help. This is important. My friend, Tricia, is freaking out that she won’t be able to save an orchard that’s been in her family for years. They’re on a tight timeline, and this calendar is a way to get the funds quickly. It’s in serious need of repair. You know I never ask for favors. And I’ll owe you big time if you can help me out.”
She pins me with pleading eyes, and I do my best to ignore them as I remind her, “You do know I’m leaving soon, right?”
“The shoot is next week, and it should only take a few hours of your time.”
Well, shit. She has me there.
