Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“I just wish I knew what to expect,” I murmur.
Mia snorts. “You’re moving in with a hot, enigmatic stranger who’s offered you enough money to buy a small island.” She laughs. “There’s no telling what to expect, but I think that’s half the thrill.”
I collapse beside her on the bed and stare up at the ceiling. “I don’t know that I need any more thrill in my life right now.”
She grins and tosses a pillow at me. “Well, you could always let me take the job while you run away from Dr. Grabass all day,” she suggests wistfully.
“Yeah, yeah,” I say, catching the pillow and hugging it to my chest. “I get it. I should feel lucky to get a break from the hospital, however long it lasts.”
Mia’s smile softens. “I think you’re really brave, Nic. It might not feel like it right now, but you are. And no matter what happens, I’ll be here. Always.”
Tears prick at my eyes, and I cough to mask them. She already knows I’m a softie.
“Thank you,” I say, grabbing her hand and squeezing tightly. “That means everything to me.”
She flops back on the bed so we’re lying head to head. “Just promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t forget me when you’re living in your mansion, eating caviar and getting foot massages from your sexy Russian boss.”
We both descend into a fit of giggles.
“Foot massages? Really?” I say between peals of laughter.
“I’m just saying, if he offers, take it. You’re carrying his child. He owes you at least that.”
Eventually I haul myself up and keep stuffing my suitcase until I’m not even sure it will close. As I’m about to zip it shut, Mia tosses a small, sleek object inside. I fish it out and examine the unexpected addition.
“What is this?”
“It’s a taser,” she says nonchalantly, as if she hasn’t just thrown a literal weapon into my bag.
“And this…” she says as she reaches into her oversized tote bag and pulls out a little canister, handing it to me, “is mace. Just in case you’re ever in a sticky situation.”
I laugh uneasily, realizing it hasn’t even occurred to me that I could be in danger. Of all my anxieties, that possibility never crossed my mind, and now I question that oversight.
“Do you really think I’ll need these?”
Mia drops down onto the edge of my bed, elbows braced on her knees, watching me closely.
“I think you’re stepping into an unfamiliar situation with no idea what to expect. Of course I hope you won’t need them. But I’d rather you have something and not need it than need it and not have it.”
I zip the bag closed, pressing down as though I can pack away the nerves knotting in my stomach along with my clothes.
“He’s not a serial killer,” I say quietly, more of a reassurance for my own nerves.
“Probably not,” she agrees with a shrug. “But he is rich, secretive, intense, and hot in a really dangerous way.”
I shoot her a look, but she just raises her eyebrows like she’s daring me to argue. I can’t.
“I’m not in any way questioning your judgment about this. You’re neither stupid nor reckless. And I respect the hell out of your reasons for taking this job. You’re looking out for your baby’s future and your parents’ present. This is just my small way of letting you know that I’m always looking out for you.”
“You’re the best friend I could ever ask for,” I say earnestly, throwing my arms around her. “And you know I’ll lock these away the moment I unpack—I don’t trust myself not to accidentally maim someone.”
“That’s my Practical Patty,” she teases.
We carry my suitcase out to the living room, resting it by the front door. The apartment feels strangely still, like it’s holding its breath waiting for me to leave. As strange as it sounds, I’m sad to leave without a definite return date.
We collapse on the couch and Mia curls her legs beneath her and rests her head on the cushion. I tuck a throw pillow into my lap and lean back, grateful for the quiet. We’ve sat here a thousand times before like this, exhausted after shifts, laughing over stupid reality shows, crying after breakups, venting about patients or hospital politics. It’s our place to just be us. And this might be our last time here for a long while.
“It really will be weird without you at the hospital,” Mia says softly, breaking the silence. “I’m going to be that sad girl who eats lunch all by herself.”
“Half the staff eat by themselves.” I smile faintly. “Besides, I’ll still be around. I’ll call whenever I can. We’ll FaceTime and text all the time. It’ll be like I’m still there. You won’t even notice I’m gone.”
“Liar.” She snorts. “I always notice when you aren’t there.”
My heart aches, but I just reach over and squeeze her hand. She squeezes back.