Page 26 of He Saved My Boy
“It’s basically a charity—you’re always running 10Ks and whatnot for other organizations. This won’t even require training. You just show up, take a few pictures, and you’ll never have to see anyone again.”
“Caitlyn…” I draw out in a groan. “Don’t you have someone else you could ask?”
Smirking, she shakes her head. “No one as hot as you.”
“Now you’re just lying… isn’t that beneath you?”
“Seriously, Davis, I’m desperate. I’ll even grab your favorite coffee on my way in to work from now until the day you leave. I know you can’t resist their homemade pastries.”
She lives next to the best unknown coffee shop I’ve found since leaving Washington. There’s never a long line, and their daily treats are made fresh locally right there in the shop. It’s entirely out of my way, but I’ve been known to treat myself more often than I’d like to admit.
She senses my firm line is cracking. “You know we’re on the same shifts for the next two weeks… That’s two whole weeks of not having to drive out of your way.
“All I’m asking for is a few hours of your time. The photo shoot will be in Deacon, and it’ll be over before you know it.”
The thought of delicious coffee and pastries each morning is amazing… but doing a photo shoot—that’s just not my thing. She puts her hands together in prayer and gives me the biggest puppy dog eyes I’ve ever seen. She even sticks out her lower lip in the most pathetic pout possible. She must be desperate. “Ugh…. Why are you doing this to me?”
“Because the ladies will love Dr. Fallon.” Her words roll off her tongue as her face morphs into a triumphant smile.
“As long asnopersonal information is attached to it. I don’t want to be tagged on social media—not that I do much of that, but my family will give me hell for this. God knows the fiasco Dani and Luke went through when he was mistaken as one of her cover models. It was a PR nightmare for both of them.”
“Deacon’s a small town, Davis. I’m sure the only ones appreciating your generosity will be its town members.”
Sighing heavily, I give her the words she’s anxiously been waiting for. “Okay… but I’d better not regret this.”
Leaning in, she kisses me on the cheek. “You are a gem, Dr. Fallon. Don’t worry; that will be the only personal information they’ll get out of me.”
Did I just say I’d model for her?
“If you’re busy tonight, do you want to catch up before you leave?”
It’s been a couple of months since we’ve used thebenefitspart of our friendship. She started dating someone for a couple of weeks, but it didn’t work out between them. Our schedules have just never meshed since. But now, my head’s not in it. Since we’ve always been honest with one another, I’m not stopping now.
“I, uh… met someone while I was in Deacon.”
“Really, anyone I know?” She’s from there. Of course, she’d ask that.
“No. She’s not from here. I’m certain it’ll never go anywhere, but I’m not in the headspace to be even casual with you when I haven’t stopped thinking about her.”
Apparently unfazed by my news, she smiles. “No worries, I completely understand. We’re still getting drinks with the gang before you leave though. There’s no way you’re getting out of the going away party Becks and I have planned.”
Jordan Becks is another resident I’ve become friends with since arriving in Austin. He’s a great guy, and it’s been nice to have someone to commiserate with as we navigate this residency. We all started around the same time at the hospital, and after some shared traumas, we have bonded easily. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good.” She smiles triumphantly. “I’ve gotta go make a call and tell Tricia. We have all twelve models, and this shoot is a go.”
What the hell have I just gotten myself into?
Shaking my head, my focus returns to the screen.
Teagan, you have me completely discombobulated and for the first time in forever, I don’t know what the right move is.
I guess I’ll just have to wait to see what happens when I see you in Seattle.
And with that, I close the file and will myself to walk away from the computer.
We’ve been homefrom Texas for almost three weeks. Thank God, Connor’s a trooper. Other than the fact he sometimes needs help because he doesn’t have two hands, you’d hardly know his arm is in a full cast and sling. Davis was right, I’m more traumatized than Connor over this entire ordeal.
Now that I’ve returned to work after my rollercoaster vacation, I’m looking forward to an evening with my best friend Annie. Mom has Connor for the night for some “grandma time.” It’s something they do at least once a month. She drives down from Everett to spend the weekend with us. She used to blatantly kick me out of my house so I would enjoy some time for myself or time with friends. She knows being a single mom is hard and wants to make sure I get a break from time to time. Besides—it’s her way of spoiling her only grandchild in the process—so as she says, it’s a win-win.
