Unexpected Gift(25)

“Funny. You’re funny. Wow, Maddy Molls has a sense of humor.” I bring up the nickname Brandon used to call her because she always seemed so uptight when I was around and hanging out with him. Looks like things haven’t changed much.

“Well, I was going to help you, but after that comment, I should just let you hang out of the car, letting the locals stare.”

I wiggle my body, gaining another inch until my hips get stuck, and I can’t move any further. This is what I get for saving a baby from a car. Figures. I eat my pride and hold out my hand. “Please.”

Posie giggles as a camera shutters. “You know, for memories,” Molly says before sliding her hand into mine.

“Right. I’ll be sure to delete that from your phone later.”

“Psh, you’d have to get past my passcode.”

Yeah, we will see about that. “Okay, just help me out. My back is really starting to hurt.”

“Stop being a big?" She starts to pull, but I don’t budge, so she decides to use her other hand, too. “—baby,” she finishes. She grunts as she heaves me out of the car.

I fall onto the red dirt and cough when the dust infiltrates my lungs. I groan and roll onto my stomach.

“Oh my god, are you okay? I didn’t mean for that to happen.” She kneels on the ground, her dress getting dust all over it and hitching up her thigh, showing a freckle decorating her thigh. I want to kiss it, lick it, and work my way up.

I stumble as I get up, but I right myself. Her hands are on my shoulders, balancing me. It doesn’t help much since I’m more than twice her weight, but she dusts me off, starting with my shoulders.

“Gosh, Caden. I really am so sorry. Are you hurt or anything?”

I brush off my pants. “I’m fine, Molly. I promise.” I see the dirt lingering on her dress and instinctually, I start to wipe it off, until her ass jiggles, reminding me I don’t have permission to touch her.

I clench my fist, holding back the urge to squeeze the ripe globes. “Uh, sorry.”

“It’s fine. I know you were trying to help. It’s fine. Completely fine,” she rambles, and a flush comes to her cheeks. I don’t know if that was from the heat, embarrassment, or me. I really want it to be me for some reason. I like riling her up—in all ways, it seems.

“Well, how about we go inside and get something to eat? I’ve worked up an appetite.” I slap my stomach, trying to defer the tension between us.

She tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear and wraps her hands around the handles of the stroller. “Yeah, definitely. I’m starved after a day like today.”

I shut the back door and lean against it. My phone buzzes and the hospital’s number flashes across the screen. “Hey, I have to take this. It’s work. Why don’t you and Posie get us a table outside since it is such a nice day out?”

Her smile does something to me. My breath hitches and I want to ignore the feeling of the warmth coursing through my veins instead of annoyance or a smart ass remark. So I do, because not only do I not want her smile to do things to me, I can’t disrespect Brandon like that.

“Sure, no problem. I’ll get you a water and lemon—”

“With a—”

“—Spritz of club soda, I know.” She waves at me as she walked away. “I’ve known you a long time, Caden. I know what kind of drink you like.”

That makes me feel like an ass because I have no idea what she drinks. I watch the two people that changed my life overnight, walk through the doors of the restaurant. I feel like someone else, like I am living someone else’s life. I don’t recognize these shoes. They feel foreign, but I know I have to keep walking, because it is expected of me.

My hand tingles from the phone buzzing again. I sigh, kicking at the dirt. I hate this hospital. I hate the reason I have to transfer, but I’m glad it has to happen. “Dr. Jackson speaking,” I answer, watching the locals walk by. There are a lot of cowboy hats.

“Dr. Jackson, when will you be back? Are you done with your little vacation?” the Chief of Neuro sneers into the receiver.

Molly’s hair pulls me from the vile thoughts I have about the man on the other end of the line. I’ve never noticed how shiny her hair is. Why haven’t I ever noticed her?

“Are you listening to me?”

No. Not really.

“Sure, burying my friend is such a relaxing vacation. And you know when I’ll be back. I put it on the schedule. Please, stop calling me. Do your damn job yourself.” I never talk back to my superior, but I am not in the mood for his shit. He knows I am better than him. Better man, better doctor, better surgeon. And he hates it.

“I could have you fired for talking to me like that!”

I scoff. “Please. You and I both know more than half the patients that come to that hospital do so because of me. I bring the changes. I bring the technique. Plus, you’ll have to replace me soon. Have fun with that.”

He stutters for a moment, and I hang up on him, not giving him time to ask what I mean. He can dwell on it for all I care. It will make him crazy. I turn my phone off, shove it in my pocket, and look up to see Molly staring at me. Her hand blocks the sun and her brows are pinched together. From the sun? Or maybe concern?

Who knows.

I don’t know shit anymore, apparently.