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I texted Lori and officially quit from Cherry’s, to which she told me she already hired a new bar back after my run in with Taz. Apparently, she’d seen enough in her day behind that bar to know I wasn’t coming back.
She was right.
So I just had to get through today and tomorrow and I was home free.
“D.” Oliver called from the entrance of an exam room, “Can you help me for a sec?” He said and instead of waiting for my reply, he walked back in leaving the door ajar for me.
I sighed, and pulled my proverbial big girl panties on and followed after him.
Two more days.
When I walked into the room, I was surprised to find it empty besides the once friendly doctor, though not completely shocked.
“What do you need?” I asked, standing in the open doorway.
“A minute of privacy with you.” He said from his relaxed perch against the counter on the other side of the room. “To apologize.”
I sighed and looked over my shoulder, locking eyes with Winnie who watched him call me in here and then walked inside and closed the door behind me.
“I’d rather we just not talk about it at all to be honest with you, Dr. Franklin.” I said first, putting my opinion out in the open.
“I understand that.” He nodded and then ran his hand down his face. “But I’m not the person I was the other day, and I need to apologize about that. Or I won’t get any rest from the guilt and embarrassment.” He gave me a small shrug, “Care to at least listen to help an old friend out?”
I smirked even though I didn’t want to, “Two minutes at max.” I answered and leaned against the closed door.
“Better than I deserve.” He shrugged and then took a deep breath, “First, I was out of line for speaking about Penelope or your ability to parent and keep her safe. There was absolutely no need for me to say that and I’m appalled that I did.”
I swallowed and nodded, uncomfortable at how easy he was making this on me.
He continued, “And second, I let my personal feelings for you, which are obviously not returned, cloud my judgement and make me think I could give my personal opinion on your life when it was clearly not requested.” He held my gaze. “I’m sorry for how that made you feel and I’m sorry for any trouble it started between you and Penelope’s father.”
“I appreciate that.” I said sincerely and my shoulders relaxed. “I understand how it might have looked to you on the outside, but Fox is an incredible man. So you don’t have to worry about me or P. We’re all good.”
“Are you quitting because of me?” He asked sheepishly as he looked at the floor in front of my feet.
“No.” I shook my head, “Fox and I need to focus on rebuilding our family and I can’t do that with this work schedule.”
“He can take care of you and P? What about Maddie?” He asked. I watched the gentle flush of his face as he asked about my sister, and something clicked in my head.
“Maddie’s a big girl.” I gazed at him closely, “She’s almost done with college and then she’ll be free to go anywhere she wants. With me not working crazy hours anymore she’ll be free to be a twenty one year old and date and have fun.” I smirked as he followed my trail like a hungry puppy. “Maybe even go out on a date with a handsome eligible doctor who stares at her every time she visits her sister at the ER…” I shrugged and then laughed as his eyes widened. “Stranger things have happened.”
He chuckled and ran his hand over his face. “You see through everything, don’t you?”
I shrugged and opened the door, ending the possibility of someone misinterpreting our private conversation. “It’s my job as an older sister,” He followed me out into the hallway, “and tending bar for years has left me pretty good at reading people.”
“Hmm.” He mused with a relaxed sigh, “Well, if she were to be interested…”
I tipped my head back and laughed, “I’ll feel her out and let you know.”
“You know where to find me.” He winked and walked toward the desk.
I turned and went into the linen closet to restock and smiled to myself, feeling lighter since clearing the air with him.
As I bundled my arms up with sheets to switch over rooms my phone buzzed in my pocket and I looked at my watch, seeing a number I didn’t recognize on it.
So I did what any twenty something year old did in that situation; ignored it.
A minute later, it rang again, showing the same number.
