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…

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

her so, so much – and I’m so happy she has what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me

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

Cora – how did the

You okay?

2

I know you were up

heard from you.

away and click through the rest

from Roger. Not a peep. As I take a deep

you home? I’m… I mean, this is a little pathetic, but

your apartment door…

I see that. Hank. He’s being so sweet

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, dying to love

Quickly, I jump out of my bed and dash

get to it, I yank it open, hoping

bag of Chinese on the

– maybe too bright, 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

says, giving me his rare, warm smile. “I get it – you had a busy night.”

frame and

bit at the

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

tricky cases. I watch Hank closely as he tells me his story, my eyes flicking over his

I watch him, something that makes me…well, makes- me want to jump

me blink and focus on him. “Did you hear

I grimace a little. I’m sorry, Hank,” I

he responds, giving me a little wink and reaching out to grab my hand, squeezing it a bit before sitting

I respond instantly, looking down at my chicken with broccoli and picking up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she really be helpful there? I think that she

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