Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 311: Cora at Home 

Cora

When I wake up it’s almost eight at night and I groan, realizing that my sleep schedule is

completely wrecked. I’m reminded, suddenly, of my years as a medical resident when this sort of thing was normal – sleeping all day, taking night shifts, living moment to moment rather than a steady, scheduled life.

And quite frankly, right now? That sounds really wonderful, compared against a whole night of empty hours in which I have nothing to do but… think.

Think about what I’m doing in my life, think about my career which has gone in a really weird direction, think about my relationship…s.

About a certain kiss in the woods.

About a sweet doctor who, apparently, wants to build a life with me.

I sigh and sit up, looking around at my sterile little apartment. I never really decorated, I realize as

I look around at the grey and beige furniture, the simple linens, the charmless curtains. Everything is functional and high quality but none of it is… me?

Or is it?

I frown at my space, thinking of Ella’s sweet home that – even though Sinclair picked out most of the furniture before she moved in – still sings Ella Ella Ella in every corner. It’s warm and sweet

and comfortable. What does my space say about me?

I mean, I’m an orphan – I never had any possessions or any control over the environments in

which I lived, so where would I have learned to decorate? I never had a mother to show me how

So where did Ella…

myself, sick, again, of being

wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me realize how unhappy

over, reaching for my phone, seeking some kind of distraction from these disquieting- thoughts. But when I pick it up the first thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying to avoid

– how did the baptism

You okay?

2

you get up – I know you were up all

heard from

swipe the messages away and click through the

that there’s nothing at all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take

is a little pathetic, but

your apartment door…

Hank. He’s being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m not being fair to him, am

space for Roger, one he doesn’t even want – despite what might have passed between us last night, it

wrong with me? Quickly, I jump out of my bed and dash for the front door

to it, I yank it open, hoping

a little, his eyes going wide, accidentally dropping the large bag of Chinese on the

at him, “I just woke up – we were

warm smile. “I get it – you had

I ask, leaning against my door frame and gesturing towards my little apartment. “I am…well,

he says, his lips turning up a bit at the corner.

held down the fort at the little free clinic we both work at, seeing both prospective mothers as well as general

day with some tricky cases. I watch Hank closely as he tells me his story, my eyes flicking over his handsome, serious face – his thick brown hair –

that makes me…well,

he asks, making me blink and focus on him. “Did you

I’m sorry, Hank,” I say, giving him an apologetic look. “I got….lost in my thoughts a little bit. Forgive

reaching out to grab my hand, squeezing it a bit before sitting back.

up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she

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