Page 19 of A Place Like You

“I’m glad you had fun.”

She nods. “By the way, I heard you worked with Drake all night,” Gina taunts me. “You think we wouldn’t learn about it?”

“This place is . . . it’s . . .” I falter, struggling to find the right words, feeling cornered by her teasing.

She interrupts my stammering, dismissing my attempts at resistance with a wave of her hand. “Save your Scooby Doo insults and just go home to take a nap. After that, make sure to hire him,” she instructs, her tone filled with a knowing edge. “I heard you two worked really well under pressure.”

Her words strike a nerve, and I narrow my gaze, trying to discern whether she’s fishing for information or if someone truly spilled the beans. Not that anything happened while we worked. We were barely in the same room. He assisted with a couple of surgeries.

Who fed her some story that she’s now using to taunt me? There’s no one in the clinic that could’ve come here and told her all about my night.

Yeah, she’s just trying to make me crack. More often than not, it’s my own response that gives me away. And so, I choose my words carefully, determined to beat her at this game. “You have nothing,” I retort, my voice firm, hoping to deflect her curiosity.

She scoffs, undeterred by my attempted deflection. “But I do,” she counters, her gaze unwavering, piercing mine. “And I also know that you’re tired. Why don’t you go to your place? I’ll handle work for a couple of hours, and then I’ll pick up Milo from Finn’s place.”

“Maybe I should do it now,” I mumble, contemplating the offer.

“Can you sleep while he’s awake?” she fires the question.

A yawn escapes me, the simple act showing my current state of exhaustion. Not only that, I find myself unable to respond with a resounding and firm yes. Regina walks me to my house. I can’t even tell her about the scones or the tea latte I had been craving since I entered the coffee shop. I’m too tired to argue with her or stay on foot a second longer.

When we get to my house, she leads me all the way to my bedroom. Daisy pops out of her hiding place and shoots me a glare.

“Fuck, I forgot to give her breakfast,” I mumble.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her while you shower and get ready for bed,” Regina assures me.

I nod in gratitude and do as she says. Once I’m out, she’s setting a tea on my nightstand.

“You’re still here?” I ask, surprised but grateful.

She nods. “Of course. If I don’t look after my bestie, who will?”

“You’re amazing,” I mumble.

“Listen,” she begins, her voice softened by understanding, “I get why you wouldn’t want to have a guy like Drake in your practice but do it for Milo and yourself. Those Kershaw boys aren’t that bad.”

Part of me wants to argue, to defend my decisions, but the overwhelming weariness that consumes me prevents any coherent response. I nod in acknowledgment, silently conceding to her advice as she leaves me.

Chapter Eleven

Wren

It’s around two when I’m ready to pick up Milo, but of course, Regina is already by my door with my happy boy and my car.

“Jez needs some help today, but I’ll catch up with you later,” Gina says, giving Milo and me a hug before heading out.

Since it’s so late, I do the same. Knowing that Milo has a lot to tell me, we drive. I’d rather not have him tell the entire town his adventures at the Gil-Decker household.

“Mom, Grampa Charles said he’d take me to the musum,” Milo chirps from the back seat, his words infused with excitement.

“Museum,” I gently correct him, glad he’s getting closer to pronouncing it right.

“Yes, the one with big dinosaurs,” he continues, his voice brimming with anticipation.

I make a mental note to discuss this new trip with Finn and Charles as soon as possible. Can I take time off to go to . . . where is this big dinosaur exhibit? “We’ll see the calendar to set up a date.” That’s all I can promise for now.

“Okay.” He sounds elated. I just hope it’s something we can make happen.

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