by M. A. Foster
“Hmm.” Gabbi leans back against the booth, pursing her lips.
“What?”
“What did he say?”
I wince. “I don’t really remember, but I’m sure I sounded like a drunken idiot. You know how emotional I get when I drink too much.” I won’t admit to them that I’ve been checking my old phone every day for the past week, looking for a call or text from him.
“Do you still love him?” Gabbi asks.
I shoot her an incredulous look. “You really have to ask?”
“Let me ask you this,” Katie interjects. “What were you hoping he’d say?”
I jerk a shoulder up to my ear. “I don’t know. I don’t even remember our conversation.”
“Maybe you should call him again—when you’re sober, of course—and tell him how you feel. He’d probably jump on the next flight back to Heritage.” Gabbi snickers.
Liam and I didn’t exactly part ways on the best of terms outside that coffee shop. He told me he still loves me, but even if he hadn’t admitted it that day, I still would’ve known, because it was written all over his face. No matter how much I love and miss him, though, I don’t think I could ever go down that road again. Relationships are not just built on love, they’re built on trust, and I don’t know if I could ever trust him—or any man—at this point.
I think Katie has the right idea about relationships. Avoid them. I did it for nearly three years before I met Jake. I could do it again.
Couldn’t I?
The server returns with my Bloody Mary, and I thank him before he walks off. “Jake and I haven’t even been broken up two months yet. Running back to the one person who completely wrecked me for life is the last thing I should do. It would never work.” I lean forward with my forearms resting on the edge of the table and study the garnishments in my Bloody Mary. I’ve never seen one with bacon strips in it. “I think I’m just feeling a little nostalgic being back in Heritage. Everything reminds me of Liam, which is weird since he doesn’t even live here.”
“Maybe we should call Kennedy and get her opinion,” Katie says, digging into her purse and retrieving her phone.
“No,” I hiss, reaching for her phone. “I’m gonna need at least three of these”—I gesture to my Bloody Mary—“before enduring one of Kennedy’s lectures.”
They both laugh because they know I’m right.
“I thought you guys hated Liam?” I question.
Gabbi holds up a hand defensively. “I don’t hate him. I hate what he did to you.”
“I agree,” Katie adds. “As your best friends, we’re always going to be on your side. Even if we don’t agree with your choices, we’ll always have your back.”
“Truth,” Gabbi says. “For example, Jake.” I roll my eyes. Here we go. “I told you there was something about him I didn’t like, but you swore he was the first man since Liam who truly made you happy. As your friend, that’s all I wanted for you. And even though I thought he was a douche, I kept my mouth shut because I love you.”
I look over at Katie. “Did you feel that way, too?”
She shrugs. “My opinion of Jake wasn’t important.” She gestures to Gabbi. “Like she said, he made you happy, and that’s all that mattered.”
God, I love my friends. “I’m really lucky I get to call you guys my best friends.”
“Damn straight.” Gabbi purses her lips as she reaches for her glass.
“There’s more.” I cringe. “I overheard my dad and Kelly having sex last week.” I shudder and reach for my drink.
Gabbi throws her head back and laughs, drawing the attention of the patrons seated nearby.
“Then he had the nerve to apologize for it,” I add, curling my lip in disgust.
Gabbi leans with her elbows on the table, fists propped under her chin. “Kelly is a lucky lady. Coach Abbott is hot.” She jerks her eyebrows up and down.
I narrow my eyes her. “He’s my dad, you dick.”
“I’m with Gabbi,” Katie adds with a light laugh. “He’s been the star of many of my fantasies.”
I slap her on the thigh. “Stop it.” I wave a finger between them. “Both of you.”
Katie laughs. “We’re just messing with you… kind of.”
“I need to find my own place,” I groan.
“You can stay with me,” Gabbi offers.
“Thanks for the offer, babe, but no. We’re still best friends for a reason.” As much as I love Gabbi, I couldn’t live with her. I spent many weekends at her house back in high school. We’d go to her house after the football games on Friday night, and by Saturday afternoon, I was ready to go home. Gabbi is very bossy and very vocal with her opinions. I’m twenty-six years old and I do what I want. I need a roommate, not another parent.
Katie stifles a laugh, and Gabbi gives a careless shrug because she knows I’m right.
“You can stay at my place,” Katie offers. “I’m leaving for London in a couple of weeks, and I’ll be gone until after New Year’s.”
Katie’s boss was so impressed with her design of Club Abyss that he’s sending her to London to remodel an existing club attached to one of the city’s most popular hotels.
I shift in my seat to face her and press my hands together like I’m praying. “Really?”
“Yeah.” She nods. “And I won’t have to worry about my place being empty while I’m gone.”
“I can pay rent,” I offer.
Katie waves me off. “Keep your money.”
“Speaking of,” Gabbi pipes up. “How’s the job search going?”
I shrug, plucking a piece of bacon out of the Bloody Mary. “I got a callback for a second interview with Heritage University Hospital next Wednesday and another with Florida Memorial on Friday. Hopefully one of them will offer me a job.”
“Vanessa,” a deep voice says. I jerk my head up to look at its owner. “I thought that was you.”
“Dr. Mackenzie,” I reply with a mouth full of bacon. Oh God. I cover my mouth and swallow. “Hi.” Pushing up from my seat, I greet him with an awkward hug before stepping back and clasping my hands in front of me. “How are you? How’s Mrs. Mackenzie?” I babble, praying I don’t have bacon in my teeth.
He grins, shoving his hands in the front pockets of his dress slacks. “We’re well. Ella’s just in the ladies’ room.” He looks over at my friends and gives them a quick courtesy nod, then returns his gaze to me. “Do you have a minute?”
My stomach flips. “Um… sure.” I look over at my friends. “I’ll be right back.”
Dr. Mackenzie leads the way to the door, and I follow him outside the cafe. A few steps from the front entrance, he turns to face me. “Max mentioned he saw you at dinner last week. Then I ran into your father a few days ago. He said you were back and living at home.” I fight back an eye roll. Way to make me look like a loser, Dad.
“Temporarily,” I say. “Just until I find a job.”
He gives me a knowing smirk, like he’s privy to a secret, and it reminds me of Liam. The man definitely got his good looks from his father.
Dr. Mackenzie is midsixties, tall with a build of a former athlete. His once black hair is now mostly gray, cut short to his head, and white scruff lines his jaw. I feel like I’m looking at Max twenty years from now.
“Where have you applied?”
“At every hospital within a ten-mile radius.” I give him a tight smile. “I’ve had three interviews this past week so far.”
Pulling his hand from his pocket, he holds out a business card. “I might have something for you. Come to my office tomorrow morning around nine.”
A position must’ve just opened, because I filled out an application on Monday and attached a copy of my résumé. Five minutes later, I received an automatic response that said “There are currently no positions open at this time. We will keep your résumé on file should a position become available.” I checked again Wednesday, on Friday, and again this morning.
Taking the card, I slip it into my back p
ocket. “I’ll be there. Thank you, Dr. Mackenzie.”
“Sweetheart, I think we’re past the formalities, don’t you?” He winks, giving me that knowing smirk again. “Call me Mac.”
A giggle bubbles out of my mouth, and I quickly clear my throat to mask it. What the hell?
“Thank you, Mac.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?”
I smile and nod once. “Nine o’clock sharp.”
Before I can walk away, Ella Mackenzie appears next to her husband wearing an unreadable expression. I shift uncomfortably on my feet. “Hi, Mrs. Mackenzie.”
A mixture of recognition and surprise flashes in her eyes, and she presses a hand to her chest. “Vanessa?” She opens her arms, and I step into her embrace. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. It took a minute to register it was you.” Pulling back, she keeps my hands grasped in hers. “I heard you were home.” There’s a tinge of hope in her voice, and relief washes over me. She doesn’t hate me.
Swallowing past the lump of emotion sitting at the base of my throat, I smile tightly. “Yes. I’m home.”
VANESSA
I arrive at the Heritage Bay Medical Center fifteen minutes early. An admin desk is positioned in the middle of the atrium with a tall wall made of frosted glass behind it. A middle-aged woman greets me with a kind smile and directs me toward the elevators just past the waiting area.
Dr. Mackenzie’s office is located on the third floor. His office door is open, and I find him seated behind his desk, flipping through a file and scribbling something at the bottom of the page. Reaching in, I knock lightly on the door.
His head pops up, and I’m greeted with his warm smile. “Vanessa.” He waves me in. “Come in and close the door.”
Stepping into his office, I close the door behind me. He gestures to the two leather chairs situated in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
I take the chair closest to the door, setting my purse on the floor near my feet and folding my hands in my lap.
Dr. Mackenzie leans back in his chair and claps his hands behind his head. “I spoke with Nancy over at Florida Regional this morning. She had nothing but great things to say about you. Do you mind if I ask why you chose not to renew your contract?”
Since I hadn’t mentioned my former employer or supervisor, I’m assuming he pulled the application and résumé I submitted online.
I straighten in my seat, pushing my shoulders back. “I wanted a fresh start.”
There’s that smirk again.
Dr. Mackenzie leans forward, resting his forearms on his desk. “Listen, Vanessa. Let’s clear the awkward air before we talk business.”
I suck in a deep breath through my nose and blow it out. “Okay.”
“I don’t make it a habit to get involved in my children’s personal lives. I can’t say the same about my wife. She’s a drama llama.” He grins and I laugh softly. “That’s what my granddaughter calls her,” he adds with a chuckle. “Ella and I only became aware of the marriage and divorce about six months ago. Ella was pretty upset with Liam. We’re both sorry things didn’t work out. And for what it’s worth, he’s pretty torn up over it.”
Is or was?
I briefly lower my gaze to my hands before meeting his eyes once more. “Liam and I met for coffee a couple months back when he was in town for the wedding.”
“He mentioned that. He also said you were engaged.” His gaze flicks briefly to my fingers before returning to meet mine.
“I was at the time, but things didn’t work out. My ex-fiancé is a trauma surgeon at Florida Regional.” I clear my throat. “My contract was up, so I seized the opportunity to cut ties and move on.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He rubs a finger over his brow, his expression turning pensive. “We’re currently looking for a float nurse. There are over two hundred and fifty physicians in the building. Most employ their own staff. Others use a float nurse. It’s football season, and the orthopedic department is currently in need of assistance, so I’ll most likely start you there. I spoke with Dr. Parker, and he was impressed with your résumé. The job hasn’t been posted yet, but it’s yours if you want it.”
Working for Dr. Mackenzie is a complete conflict of personal interest. But my being here isn’t about Liam. I’m here for my fresh start. I need this job. I want this job.
I grin, pressing my hands together in front of my chest. “Thank you so much for this opportunity, Dr. Mackenzie.”
“Just one thing,” he adds. “I think it would be best if you keep your history with Liam under wraps.” He waves his hand wildly. “The ladies around here love gossip.”
“I would actually prefer that. I’m a professional, and I’d like to keep my personal life outside the office where it belongs. Besides, I don’t want anyone to think I’m getting special treatment from you because of my past with Liam.”
“I should warn you, Ella pops in from time to time, and I can’t promise she won’t try to strong-arm you into having lunch with her.” My eyes widen, and he chuckles. “I wish I could say I was kidding, but Ella somehow feels like it’s her job to smooth things over on behalf of our family and Liam.”
I shake my head. “She doesn’t need to. All is forgiven. I don’t hold any hard feelings against your family or Liam.”
“Would you do me a favor and just indulge her if she asks? It would mean the world to her—to both of us. It’s not just about you and Liam. Your father was a huge part of Liam’s baseball career, and frankly, we’re a little embarrassed by Liam’s level of disrespect. Had we known, we would’ve reached out to him sooner.”
I sink back in the chair. I hadn’t realized how much Liam’s family had been affected by our split. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” He plucks his cell phone from his white lab coat and taps the screen before bringing it to his ear. “Good morning, Mia,” he chirps into the phone. “Will you come to my office? I have someone I’d like you to meet…. Great. See you soon.”
Mia Russo greets me with a friendly smile, and she’s as pretty as her name. She’s about an inch taller than me with a slender frame and her wavy brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her eyes are a rare shade of blue, almost lavender, and are framed with long thick lashes lightly coated with mascara. The rest of her pretty face is makeup free.
During an extensive tour of the medical center, I learn Mia is also a float nurse and has worked here for the past five years. She introduces me to a few of the other float nurses lingering around the nurses’ station, which is located on the opposite side of the glass wall behind the admin desk. I spend the next two hours in the Human Resources office filling out the required paperwork for new employees.
Around lunchtime, Mia returns, and the two of us walk over to a small cafe next door to grab a sandwich.
“So what brought you to Heritage?” she asks.
“I actually grew up in Magnolia Park,” I tell her.
Mia beams and says, “I love Magnolia Park,” before taking a bite of her club sandwich.
“Me, too,” I agree. “My dad still lives there. He coaches the baseball team at Heritage University.”
Her eyes go wide, and she brings her napkin to cover her mouth. “No way,” she says around a mouthful of sandwich before swallowing. “My dad coaches the Gulf Coast University team.”
“Does that make us rivals?” I snort as I drag a french fry through a mound of ketchup and pop it into my mouth.
“Probably,” she says with a light laugh. “What does your mom do?”
“My mom was a teacher, but she died when I was eight.” I give her a tight smile. “It’s been just my dad and me since then.”
Her expression turns sympathetic. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” I sigh. “It was a long time ago.”
“Did you move back to be closer to your dad?”
I pause to consider how much to share with Mia. Obviously I have shitty taste in men, but when it comes to women, I want to say that I’m a pretty good judge of c
haracter. Which is why I didn’t have many friends at my last job.
I’ve known Mia all of a few hours and I already know she’s nothing like my former coworkers. I was serious when I told Dr. Mackenzie I like to keep my personal life out of the workplace. However, the best way to bond with other women is over a story of heartbreak.
“My fiancé and I worked at the same hospital. We were engaged for a week when I found out he’d been cheating on me with his ex-wife, who also worked at the hospital. It just so happened I found out about their affair the same day I was supposed to interview to renew my contract. I showed up for my interview and withdrew my application. I couldn’t stay there with him and her.”
Mia’s eyes go wide. “Oh my God. That’s awful. I am so sorry.”
I shrug. “What about you?” My eyes flick to her left hand briefly to find her ring finger bare. “Boyfriend?”
Mia scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Hardly. I’ve been seeing this guy, Mason. We dated on and off several years ago until he stopped calling.”
“Sounds more like a booty call.”
“Probably. I didn’t really care either way. I was young and not exactly looking for a relationship either.”
“So he just called you up out of the blue?”
“No. Actually, I bumped into him at the new martini bar over in Pelican Cove called Shaken Not Stirred. I was there meeting a friend for a drink after this guy I’d been seeing very casually friend-zoned me.”
I raise my brows. “Wow. Did you get the whole ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ speech?”
Mia barks out a laugh. “I actually said that to him.” She shakes her head. “Well, not exactly. I knew the night we met there was no happily ever after with a guy like him. He was too guarded. Our conversations were nothing more than superficial. But stupid me and my stupid heart still held out hope. I’d seen him around his friends and family, so I knew he was capable of love. But he was still in love with his ex.” She shrugs a shoulder. “How do you compete for a man’s heart when it belongs to someone else?”
“Trust me. You don’t.” I sigh, thinking about Jake. Even if I hadn’t discovered his cheating, our relationship wouldn’t have survived a marriage, because both our hearts belonged to other people. “Did you love him?”