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…

groan, rolling my eyes at myself, sick, again, of being

has what she wants in her life. But sometimes

when I pick it up the first thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying to avoid leaving me an assortment of messages.

Hey, Cora – how did the baptism go?

You

2

send me a text when you get up – I

heard from

messages away and click through the rest of my

at all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email, another message from Hank pops up.

mean, this is a little pathetic, but

your apartment door…

I see that. Hank. He’s being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m not being fair

holding a space for Roger, one he doesn’t even want – despite what might have passed between us last night, it doesn’t change anything. And there’s a man standing outside my door with mooshoo pork,

I jump out of my bed and dash for

I get to it, I

going wide, accidentally dropping the large bag of Chinese

too cheerful. “I’m so sorry,” I continue, smiling at him, “I just woke up – we were up all night. It’s – I’m very sorry. I should have texted before I fell

rare, warm smile. “I get it – you had a

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

turning up a bit at the corner. “That sounds great,

He held down the fort at the little free clinic we both work at, seeing both prospective

Hank closely as he tells me his story, my eyes flicking over his handsome,

I feel something twist in my stomach as I watch him, something that makes me…well, makes-

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

forcing myself to listen to his words. Then, I grimace a little. I’m sorry, Hank,” I say, giving him an apologetic look. “I

squeezing it a bit before sitting back. “I was just curious if you think Ella would want to be more involved in

be more involved in the clinic,” I respond instantly, looking down at my chicken with broccoli and picking up a morsel. “But she

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