Page 37 of The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley 3)
At my side, Silas growled. His stance matched Jess’s and his nostrils flared.
I looked at Gigi and we both burst out laughing.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “You’re both far more handsome than the young doctor. No need to let your man feathers get ruffled.”
“She’s right.” Gigi grabbed Jess’s hand. “Come on, Sheriff. Let’s get your mother discharged.”
As they walked away, Gigi tugged on Jess’s hand and tipped her chin up so he could lean down for a soft kiss. If Jess thought that Gigi had eyes for any other man, he was delusional. Just like Silas would be an idiot to think that I would ever go for a young, preppy doctor. For years, I had compared every boyfriend against Silas and none of them had ever measured up. Dr. Faraday was cute but didn’t hold a candle to the man at my side.
Not that any of that mattered.
Silas and I were on the road to friendship. The way my breath hitched and heart raced when I saw him was no longer relevant.
“Thanks for being there for Mom,” I said.
“Happy to help.”
“Can I buy you a new shirt?”
“Nah. This will wash out.”
I took a deep breath. After that night at the bar, I had promised myself that I’d talk to Silas the next time I saw him and make the amends I’d been delaying. It was time to take the first step. “How about dinner? There are a few things I was hoping we could talk about.”
His eyebrows came together. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Of course. Nothing’s wrong. I just thought that since we’re trying to be friends, dinner might be nice. Not like a date. Just as friends. I’d just like to know what you’ve been doing all these years. Catch up as friends.”
Nice babbling. Could you say the word “friends” a couple more times, Felicity?
“Uh, okay,” he said. “A friendly dinner. When?”
“Wednesday night? Meet at the café around six?”
“Sounds good.” He nodded and turned to leave.
“Thanks again!” I called to his back. He kept w
alking but lifted a hand to wave.
My shoulders fell when he was out of sight. All weekend long I had been replaying the past, trying to figure out how best to broach an apology to Silas. Friday night at the bar had made me realize that I needed to start the healing process with him. I didn’t want more uncomfortable encounters or awkward conversations.
I didn’t know if it was the right choice or not to dredge up that ancient history, but I felt that I had to. For my own sake, if not his.
I popped back into Mom’s room for one last hug and good-bye before making my way outside. Digging through my oversized purse for car keys, I walked right into someone coming into the ER.
I gasped as she let out a pained cry. “Shit! I’m so sorry!”
Khloe Olson was stumbling backward. I reached out to try and catch her but she regained her footing on her own. When she looked up, her eyes were wide and her face ashen. One arm was clutched to her chest.
“Are you hurt?” I asked.
She nodded and walked around me inside. I turned and followed. Gigi was just walking back to the ER counter but saw us and changed direction.
“Can I help you?” she asked Khloe.
“I think I broke my arm. I was carrying a laundry basket down some stairs and tripped and fell.”
I winced. Ouch.
