Page 28 of Forever Undone

Me: I can’t live with him. It’s official. You have no idea the morning I’ve had with him.

Forest: Aren’t you at work?

Me: Yes. That’s why I’m bitching about him. I work with him too, remember?

Braelyn: Did you murder him yet or just fantasize about it?

Roman: Murder is messy. Psychological warfare is cleaner.

Me: You’d know. Maybe I need you to teach me your ways, Obi-Wan.

Hayes: Or you could just TALK to the man. Revolutionary concept, I know.

Quinn: Riiiight. Spoken like a true man to blame the woman.

Hayes: Fine. Fair. But that’s not how I meant it. Explain what’s going on, and we’ll advise.

I hesitate, trying to summarize the complicated reality of living with Aston and Zoey without revealing too much of my conflicted feelings. Or my history with Aston and the kiss.

Me: He opened the door on me this morning after my shower, thinking I was Zoey. Then we fought, sorta, and now we’re still at each other at work. It’s not good, and it’s certainly not healthy.

Braelyn: At each other sounds promising...

Me: Not like that. Professionally at each other.

Sorta. Not really.

Me: He’s trauma surgery and I’m ICU. There is no avoiding him. He’s a good father and, I’m sure, an excellent surgeon, but he’s stubborn, opinionated, and often infuriating.

Roman: So, he’s the male version of you. No wonder you clash.

Quinn: Or maybe that’s why there’s tension. *Looking emoji*

Me: NOT HELPING.

Crew: Have you called that realtor I recommended? He’s great and found me my place in two weeks.

Me: Not yet. I haven’t had time.

Quinn: Call him. For your sanity. Living with a single dad who is your brother’s BFF whom you have tension with is a recipe for bad decisions.

Hayes: Like that time Braelyn hooked up with her professor.

Braelyn: WE AGREED NEVER TO SPEAK OF THAT.

I laugh out loud, grateful for friends who know exactly how to lighten my mood.

Me: Fine. I’ll call the realtor after my shift. Happy?

Forest: It’s not for us, babe, it’s for you.

He’s right, of course. It’s for me that I need to do this. The sooner I get away from Aston, the better.

10

ASTON

Did I request Josh Wesley to assist in my surgery? Yes, I did. Why? Well, that’s a bit more complicated. I told myself it’s what a new attending should do. That I need to evaluate the surgical expertise of my residents. I tacked on that I was playing the role of big brother interrogator in honor of Micha since Josh is Skylar’s ex, who doesn’t seem to be entirely out of the picture.