Page 12 of Entangled

Jenny nodded. “I know.”

“Why mention it?”

“I wanted to ask if you would like to stay on, even after your classes start. We can work out days or evenings, weekends. It doesn’t have to be a five-day-a-week thing, or whatever. The women love you, and the staff—”

“Yes.” Cara didn’t need to think it over. “You don’t even have to ask.”

The first day back to class was always a shit show for Cara. It meant rushing between halls and buildings to be early for professors that were almost always late, but had zero issue with calling out a student for coming in after they finally showed up. It also meant orientation for smaller classes, plus going over what could be expected for the coming semester.

Cara had another year left, and she was done. Not only did she already have her Masters of Social Work, but once the year was up, she would also add her master’s degrees of science and in public health. If she decided to take her education further, she could choose a residency program for psychiatry and continue on that path. But for now, her three master’s would allow her the ability to work in several fields, including with children and mental health.

It was every goal she had wanted to achieve, and it was almost a reality.

She wasn’t used to the early morning routine after the summer, though. Cara had even managed to forget to feed herself, which sent her running to the café she liked just a couple of blocks away from the university, when she had thirty minutes to spare.

Cara groaned at the sight of a long line when she stepped into the café. Unfortunately, another swarm of people came in right behind her. She quickly filed into line in order to not wait any longer.

By the time she did get to the front of the line to place her order, Cara was damn near terrified to check her watch and see how late she already was for her second to last class. She quickly asked for a coffee, bagel, and cookie to-go. Though she was hungry for more, her stomach would have to wait until she got home.

“Your order will come up down there,” the barista said, pointing at the end of the counter.

“Great, thanks.”

Cara fiddled with her bag as she waited for her order. She kept glancing down at her watch to check the time, but her solitude didn’t last long.

“Are you waiting for someone?”

Looking over her shoulder, a pair of striking blue eyes met her gaze. The man was handsome enough, with a disarming smile and a sports coat slung over his arm. He leaned against the counter right behind Cara.

“Are you talking to me?” Cara asked.

The man nodded. “Sure am. It’s a friendly thing to do, when the only other option is standing around waiting and talking to yourself.”

Cara managed a laugh. “That’s true. And no, I’m not waiting for someone.”

“You kept looking at your watch. I just assumed.”

“I’m late,” Cara explained, “and getting later by the second.”

“I’m Nathan,” the guy said.

Cara spun around to take the hand he offered, noting his short-trimmed nails and smooth skin. He looked to be in his early thirties, if that. “Cara.”

“Well, Cara, I’m glad you’re not waiting for someone. At least no one is standing up a beautiful woman.”

She arched a brow. “Are you working toward something?”

Nathan shrugged. “Would it get me anywhere if I was?”

“I’m not on the market for dating, sorry.”

He glanced down at her hand, still firmly held in his. “No ring.”

“None on yours, either.”

“To be fair, a lot of surgeons take their rings off when they’re on a shift. I just got off mine, though. But no, there isn’t a ring.”

Cara smiled. “A doctor.”