Page 97 of Beating Heart
And I had Cutler to think about.
My phone vibrated with another text, and I pulled it from my back pocket.
Emerson
Hey! Just finished the interview with Boston Children’s, and it went really well. They said they were impressed when they read my letters of recommendation.
I scrubbed a hand over the back of my neck. She wanted this.
And I wanted her to be happy. Even if that meant I would be miserable.
That was why we’d gone all out last night. My son had been the one to remind me over and over that it was her big day coming up, and we needed to celebrate it. I knew her ex was the one who’d talked her out of doing her residency there, and I would not be that guy.
I would never hold her back.
If she decided to stay, it would be because she wanted to stay. Not because anyone guilted her or pressured her.
Of course, they were impressed. You’re fucking amazing, beautiful. They’d be fools to let you go.
So would I.
Emerson
That was awfully sweet of you to say, neighbor. Do you think I should take it if they offer me the position?
Does my opinion really matter in this decision?
It was a dick thing to say. I shouldn’t have said it. But there was truth to my words. We’d put so many rules in place that I didn’t know where the lines were.
I saw the three little dots move across the screen, and I waited.
Emerson
Yes, actually. Your opinion matters to me.
My chest puffed out like I’d just won some big fight that I hadn’t expected to win.
Emerson
And King said that Boston has the best chowder. So maybe you’ll come visit me. But Seattle Children’s seems interested, too, and they’re famous for their coffee, and I know you love your coffee.
I deflated in an instant. She was just being polite; she wasn’t asking because she saw a future for us. I needed to pull my head out of my ass and remember what this was.
Temporary. We were just having fun.
So have some fucking fun, asshole.
It’s good to have options. I’m happy to help you work through it.
Emerson
Dinner tonight at my place?
This was getting too complicated. For me. For my boy. I needed to tread lightly.
We’re having dinner at my dad’s tonight, and I want to get Cutler down early because it’s a school night.
I’d planned on inviting her. My dad loved her, as they’d met twice over the last few weeks. But distance was necessary, and I needed to man up and protect my boy because this was going to hurt like hell when she left.
